Peavy traded to Boston as White Sox lose again

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jake Peavy is changing Sox and going to a contender.

The starter's days in Chicago ended Tuesday night when Peavy was traded to Boston as part of a three-team deal that included the Detroit Tigers. It's the second time Peavy has been traded before the July 31 deadline. Four years ago, he was dealt from San Diego to the White Sox, who had little choice but to trade him with their season all but collapsed.

In exchange for Peavy, the White Sox acquired outfielder Avisail Garcia from Detroit and minor league infielder Cleulius Rondon and pitchers Francelis Montas and Jeffery Wendelken from the Red Sox.

After the White Sox lost their fifth straight, 7-4 to the Cleveland Indians, Peavy sat his locker starting at his phone and didn't seem to be in a hurry to go anywhere. About two hours later, the White Sox and Red Sox announced the deal had been finalized and he was bound for Boston.

For Peavy, it's a chance to re-set his season. He's going from a team that is at a six-year low — the White Sox are 24 games under .500 — to one that's battling for first in the AL East.

Before the game, Peavy said he was ready for whatever happened.

"I'm not going to be shocked, overwhelmed or blown away by anything," Peavy said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the next 24 hours, or not even that, play out."

Peavy went 36-29 during his tenure with the White Sox. He's under contract through next season, making $14.5 million each year.

"We cannot say enough about Jake's intensity, effort, approach to the game and clubhouse leadership during his five seasons with the White Sox," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "Jake is a veteran competitor who makes his team better every day, not just when he takes the ball."

The 22-year-old Garcia is the key to the trade for Chicago. He's batting .380 (65 of 171) with seven doubles, three triples, six homer, 27 RBIs and 32 runs in 39 games between Triple-A Toledo and Single-A Lakeland. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is considered one of baseball's top prospects. He was Detroit's minor league player of the year in 2012.

The White Sox will initially send him to Charlotte.

"Garcia is a very young, five-tool player who already has spent time in the major leagues," Hahn said. "Our scouts are extremely optimistic about his future and view him as a potential impact talent for many years to come."

The White Sox, who traded reliever Jesse Crain to Tampa on Monday, are also excited about getting the 19-year-old Rondon and Montas and Wendelken, a pair of 20-year-olds.

Following Chicago's latest loss, White Sox manager Robin Ventura made no mention of any trade or even the possibility one was on the table.

As Peavy waited to learn his fate, the White Sox got a glimpse of their future.

Rookie Andre Rienzo, recalled from the minors to start in Peavy's place, pitched seven strong innings but came away with a no-decision when Donnie Veal (1-2) and Matt Lindstrom gave up four runs in the eighth.

"It was fun seeing him pitch," Ventura said of Rienzo, a hard-throwing right-hander. "The end stunk but he did well. The kid was good. For all the excitement he had of having his first start, he was great."

Rienzo, the first Brazilian-born player to pitch in the major leagues, allowed three unearned runs and five hits in seven innings.

"It was great being here," Rienzo said. "It was a great experience."

Rienzo was recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Charlotte as the White Sox pushed back Peavy's start one day in case they are able to trade him before Wednesday's 4 p.m. deadline.

Trailing 4-3, the Indians scored four runs in the eighth.

Veal gave up a one-out single to Asdrubal Cabrera, and one out later, Carlos Santana singled. Pinch runner Drew Stubbs stole second before pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn, who has been clutch in two-out situations all season for manager Terry Francona, singled to center off Lindstrom to make it 5-4. After Lonnie Chisenhall singled, Yan Gomes came through with a two-run double.

Rienzo seemed unfazed in facing one of baseball's hottest teams. He was only in trouble once, when the Indians scored three times in the fifth to tie it. But Rienzo quickly shook it off and was in position to get a win before the Indians came back against Chicago's bullpen.

Along with Peavy, the White Sox have reportedly dangled outfielder Alex Rios. He left in the eighth after fouling a pitch off his left foot. Rios will undergo X-rays, but he said it's only a bruise and doesn't believe it's serious.

Staked to a 3-0 lead, Rienzo looked poised while making history as Brazil's first big league pitcher.

In the third, he faced countryman Gomes, who dribbled a single through the middle for Cleveland's second hit. Once he reached first, the Indians catcher shared a smile with Rienzo, who moments later tried to pick off his friend from Brazil's national team.

"I thought he picked me off," said Gomes, the first Brazilian player to make it to the big leagues. "He looked good out there. I am proud of the way he pitched and happy for my country."

Rienzo cherished the moment with Gomes.

"I smiled and he smiled back," Rienzo said. "I said, 'You win.' I was glad to pitch to the first Brazilian guy. I'm glad to be the second one. I hope more come."

Rienzo's debut was televised live back in Brazil, where baseball may never catch soccer but continues to grow.

"I hope Brazil is proud of me and proud of Gomes," he said. "I try to open doors for the guys coming."

The White Sox gave Rienzo an early cushion, scoring two runs in the first and one in the second to take some pressure off him.

Adan Dunn hit a two-out, two-run double in the first as Chicago ended Cleveland's streak of scoring first at 16 games, a franchise record. In the second, Gordon Beckham ended a 0-for-20 slide with a one-out double and scored when Josh Phegley ended a 0-for-14 slump with an RBI single.

NOTES: Since the White Sox were 24-24 on May 27, they've gone 16-40, the majors' worst record in that span. ... Chicago has lost six in a row to Cleveland and fell to 2-9 vs. the Indians this season. ... The White Sox have scored just nine runs during their five-game losing streak. ... Chicago is 1-8 in a stretch of 14 straight games against division opponents. The White Sox are 12-26 inside the Central.

Cox Media Group