Major League Baseball

Padres 7, White Sox 6

Published Mar. 15, 2011 12:54 a.m. ET

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It wasn't Jake Peavy's most dominant start of the spring. It may have been his most encouraging.

The right-hander took the loss against his former team Monday, as the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago White Sox 7-6. Peavy gave up three runs on six hits over four innings of work. He threw 67 pitches, 47 for strikes, walking one batter and striking out two.

''I threw some early breaking balls that were pretty good, I got some swings and misses,'' he said. ''My arm bounced back and I felt pretty good today. It was a good step in the right direction, where we can keep climbing.''

After a seven-pitch, 1-2-3 first inning, Peavy allowed two Padres to reach base in each of the next two innings but was able to work out of the jams.

The fourth inning is where Peavy couldn't elude trouble, allowing hits to the first three batters, capped off by a two-run home run by Mike Baxter. His stamina coming into question, Peavy battled back and retired the next three batters.

''After the home run we stayed stubborn and made the best pitches that we've made,'' he said. ''I made good progress today. I'm excited about the direction I went in.''

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen continues to be amazed at Peavy's work ethic and results, regardless of what the box score says.

''I think today he was more aggressive than he was early (in spring training),'' Guillen said. ''He's done everything he had to do to be out on the mound. I'm very happy with where he is right now.''

Guillen doesn't think Peavy is in a position to break camp with the team yet, but isn't ruling out the possibility by any means.

''We're going to be very careful and very aware of where he is,'' Guillen said. ''I'm very optimistic he's going to be out there, but I have to be prepared for plan B.''

Chris Denorfia also homered for San Diego, a solo shot off of Phil Humber in the seventh.

Alexei Ramirez and A.J. Pierzynksi each hit home runs and drove in two runs for the White Sox. Lastings Milledge hit a solo homer off of Padres starter Aaron Harang in the third.

Harang earned the win for San Diego, pitching four innings and giving up one earned run. It was a far cry from his first two starts of the spring, where he allowed seven runs in just five innings pitched.

The coaching staff was able to identify the problem, and with some extra work this past week, Harang hopes it's behind him.

''It was just a big timing issue,'' he said. ''It's a minor adjustment, but if you're not conscious of it, you're not going to be able to fix it right away.''

Notes: White Sox LHP Chris Sale allowed three runs on four hits in one inning of work Tuesday. ... Sale will make his first start of the spring Thursday, though he will remain in the bullpen when the regular season starts. ... Cory Luebke struck out seven White Sox in four innings for San Diego, but allowed four runs on six hits. ... Adam Dunn doubled and struck out twice for Chicago.

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