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White Sox LHP Richard makes debut vs. Rangers

Jul 23, 2008 - 10:10 AM Texas (52-49) at Chi White Sox (56-43) 2:05 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Rookie Clayton Richard makes his major league debut for the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday when they continue a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

At 6-5, 240 pounds, Richard strikes an imposing figure and earned the promotion after dominating at Class AAA Charlotte. The 24-year-old lefthander began the year at Class AA Birmingham, going 6-6 with a 2.47 ERA in 13 starts before making the jump to Class AAA.

He won all six of his starts at Charlotte, posting a 2.37 ERA with four walks and 29 strikeouts in 38 innings that included one complete game.

Richard started the Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on July 13 and allowed an unearned run in one inning. A former quarterback at Michigan, Richard also has been named to the U.S. Olympic team, but has opted to stay with the White Sox instead of traveling to Beijing next month.

Richard has drawn comparisons to fellow Chicago starter Mark Buehrle, who allowed just one run and six hits in 7 1/3 innings to help the White Sox claim a 10-2 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday. Buehrle pitched on just three days' rest so he could attend the funeral services for his grandfather on Wednesday.

Kevin Millwood (6-6, 5.23) takes the mound for the Rangers looking to snap a personal two-game losing streak after allowing 10 runs and 21 hits in 11 2/3 innings over that span.