Chicago White Sox: Jake Peavy's Actions Need to Speak as Loudly as His Words

The Chicago White Sox finally got another taste of the pitcher they traded for back in the summer of 2009.

Jake Peavy, making his second big league start since returning from shoulder surgery, tossed a masterful three-hit shutout in a 1-0 victory over Cleveland. Peavy struck out eight Indians, who sported the league's best record going into the contest.

Peavy was aided by a great sliding catch in center field by Brent Lillibridge that took away extra bases from Orlando Cabrera. Peavy's complete-game effort earned him his first win of the season, as the White Sox made a short RBI sacrifice fly by Adam Dunn hold up over their AL Central rival.

Peavy promised more intensity when he was back in Chicago, and so far he has delivered.

The soon to be 30-year-old Peavy is talking the talk of a player eager to start reining in the division leaders.

"You got to beat that team (Cleveland), that's the bottom line," said Peavy to ESPNChicago.com after the game. 

"You can't let them come in here and bully us around. We've got a long way ahead of us to catch them. But at the same time, every game counts.

"We got our work cut out tomorrow with Fausto Carmona, but the boys will come out battling and we can feed off this win. We felt we kind of stole one so that's a good night."

After a 3-0 record and a 1.35 ERA he sported late in the 2009 season, is this the start of Kenny Williams' gamble paying off for Chicago?

Peavy, by his own admission, has been anything but healthy since joining the White Sox. For the price tag attached to that right arm, Chicago is justified in expecting starts like Wednesdsay night's gem at U.S. Cellular Field.

Being able to hand the ball off to Peavy every five days (or six days if Guillen's starting six-pack remains in place) is essential to the White Sox making up ground in the standings.

What is good to hear is that Peavy understands the expectations and is eager to fulfill them.

"I got traded [here] to be the guy you saw tonight and I will do everything I can do to be that guy," Peavy promises.

Let's hope Peavy's body allows him to make good on the pledge.