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Vazquez dominant in season debut

Starter limits Twins to just one hit over 6 2/3 innings

Uribe hit solo home run

CHICAGO -- Since Aug. 10, 2006, after a five-inning, 111-pitch victorious effort against the Yankees, Javier Vazquez had made 10 starts without picking up a single win. In fact, Vazquez finished 0-4 after six Spring Training trips to the mound.

But when the White Sox needed him most on Saturday against the Twins, in just the fourth game of the regular season, Vazquez showed for at least one afternoon why expectations are so high surrounding his 2007 performance. The right-hander allowed only Michael Cuddyer's leadoff single in the second over 6 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out five to lead the South Siders to a 3-0 victory in front of 33,278, who endured the bone-chilling, 31-degree conditions at U.S. Cellular Field.

Vazquez remained aggressive from start to finish, even when he momentarily lost the strike zone in the second and third innings. But Vazquez's ability to stay sharp in the midst of two precarious jams while protecting a one-run lead could truly be a harbinger of big things to come for the rotation's fourth starter.

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