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Burres makes Blue Jays debut against White Sox

Apr 25, 2009 - 6:43 AM By Alan Ferguson Stats Writer

Toronto (13-5) at Chi White Sox (8-8) 7:05 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (AP) -- Brian Burres struggled in his first start with the Toronto's Triple-A affiliate. He'll try for a better showing Saturday night when he makes his first career appearance for the Blue Jays.

In the second of a three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night, Burres will also try to help the league's best team post a season-high fourth straight win despite a depleted pitching staff.

The Blue Jays acquired the 28-year-old left-hander off waivers in February from the Baltimore Orioles, where he was 13-18 with a 5.88 ERA over three seasons, and sent him to Las Vegas following seven spring training games.

Burres gave up five runs in three innings April 15 for the 51s, but rebounded by allowing two runs in six innings in a loss Sunday. With rookie left-hander Ricky Romero and closer B.J. Ryan going on the disabled list on Thursday, Burres was called up with reliever Bryan Bullington.

"Unfortunately, we're used to it," general manager J.P. Ricciardi told the Blue Jays' official Web site.

Romero (strained right oblique) and Ryan (sore left shoulder/back) join an injured list of pitchers that includes Casey Janssen (shoulder), Jesse Litsch (forearm), Dustin McGowan (shoulder) and Shaun Marcum (elbow).

If the Blue Jays offense can repeat Friday night's strong performance, Burres could earn his first major league win since July 11. In a 14-0 victory, Toronto set a season high for runs and hits (21) with only one home run -- Jose Bautista's first in the ninth.

Five players finished with three hits apiece, and Aaron Hill extended his hitting streak to nine games by going 2-for-6 with three RBIs. The second baseman was 3-for-14 against the White Sox in 2008, when a mild concussion limited him to 55 games.

Raising their average to an American League-leading .302, the Blue Jays have a major league-high 13 wins. They didn't reach 14 last season until May 3.

"Guys are swinging the bat right now all through the lineup," Hill said. "We're just running with it. Obviously it's a game of momentum. We're having fun doing it."

Burres (7-10, 6.04 ERA in 2008) split his two starts last season against Chicago, pitching eight scoreless innings April 26 but allowing six runs in five innings Aug. 26.

Following their worst loss since a 16-3 defeat on July 31, 2007, at Yankee Stadium, the White Sox will look for another strong effort from Mark Buehrle (2-0, 3.00).

The veteran left-hander could use more than the six hits produced Thursday. Chicago also committed two errors for the second straight game.

"Overall, this is one of the worst games I hope I see this year," manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Buehrle, who has allowed six earned runs in his three starts, is the only White Sox pitcher to beat Toronto last season. He outpitched Roy Halladay on Sept. 10 to finish 1-1 with an 0.59 ERA in two starts against the Blue Jays, who have won nine of the last 10 meetings dating back to July 29, 2007.

Chicago slugger Jim Thome remains one RBI from 1,500 for his career and is three home runs shy of tying Mike Schmidt (548) for 13th all time. Thome, who is hitting .216, has just three homers in his last 27 games against Toronto.