CHICAGO – Catcher A.J. Pierzynski of the Chicago White Sox has won his first career American League Silver Slugger Award.
Pierzynski, 35, joins Carlton Fisk (1981, 1985 and 1988) as the only catchers in White Sox history to win the award, which is presented by Louisville Slugger to honor the best offensive performers at every position in each league as voted on by managers and coaches.
Pierzynski hit .278 (133-479) with a career-high 27 home runs and 77 RBI in 135 games in 2012, his eighth season with the White Sox. His 27 home runs were the second-highest total in White Sox history by a catcher, trailing only Fisk's 37 in 1985. Pierzynski also set career bests in runs scored (68), slugging percentage (.501) and OPS (.827) and matched his season high in RBI (also 2004).
Among AL players with a minimum of 100 games caught in 2012, Pierzynski ranked first in average, runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases. He homered in a career-best five consecutive games from July 30-August 5, matching the franchise record (seventh time).
Pierzynski, who caught Philip Humber's perfect game on April 21 at Seattle, eclipsed 1,000.0 IC for the 11th consecutive season, extending the longest active streak in baseball, and caught 100-plus games for the 12th straight season, tied for the fourth-longest streak in major-league history.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:26 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:26:38 GMT
Clay Buchholz pitched five-hit ball over seven innings to improve to 7-0, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Clay Buchholz pitched five-hit ball over seven innings to improve to 7-0, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:16:06 GMT
Jose Quintana took a no-hitter into the seventh before David Ortiz broke it up with a one-out broken-bat single, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Jose Quintana took a no-hitter into the seventh before David Ortiz broke it up with a one-out broken-bat single, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:07 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:07:58 GMT
Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Chicago White Sox handed Jon Lester his first loss of the season with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Chicago White Sox handed Jon Lester his first loss of the season with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:19:31 GMT
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:05:01 GMT
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:56:16 GMT
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:09 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:09:36 GMT
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:32:18 GMT
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
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