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Esteban Loaiza
has always been a dominant pitcher in April. But until last year, he hadn't
been able to carry it over to the rest of the season.
Loaiza will look to build on this season's 4-0 start when his Chicago White
Sox resume their three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
Loaiza allowed four earned runs and seven hits in six innings of Thursday's 6-4 win over Toronto, boosting his career record in April to 18-3 with a 2.98 ERA. Since coming to Chicago as a free agent before last season, he is 9-0 in the season's first month.
``I'm not paying attention to that,'' Loaiza said. ``I had a great season last year and want to have another great one this year. I didn't know about that (April) record until I read the newspapers, but I want to continue that streak.''
Loaiza traditionally struggled after April until last season, when he finished 21-9 with a strong 2.90 ERA. He added a cut fastball to his arsenal and dropped a troublesome slider before the breakout season began.
``I threw it and it didn't hurt my arm,'' Loaiza said, referring to the cutter.
``So, I just kept throwing it and it has been great for me.''
The White Sox beat the Orioles 5-4 on Monday for their fifth win in six games. Joe Crede homered in the sixth inning, and Chicago added three runs in the seventh.
``It was hard for me to pick up the ball all night,'' Crede said. ``But (Baltimore starter Kurt Ainsworth) left the ball out over the plate. Fortunately, the ball was up enough where I could get some elevation.''
Chicago is a major league-leading 10-1 in one-run games this season.
Brian Roberts went
2-for-3 with a double for the Orioles, who have lost three straight and six
of eight.
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