July 3, 2008

CHICAGO - Former Ohio University and current Chicago White Sox pitcher Adam Russell has worked 1.1 scoreless innings of relief against the Cleveland Indians in the last two days to pick up the first two Major League victories of his career.

The North Olmsted, Ohio, native captured his first career win on Tuesday night despite facing only a single batter. With the Sox trailing 2-1 in the top of the 10th inning and facing a two-on and two-out situation, manger Ozzie Guillen called on Russell to face rightfielder Franklin Gutierrez. Russell rose to the occasion and fanned Gutierrez, then watched as shortstop Orlando Cabrera delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the frame to give the former Bobcat his initial big league win.

Russell followed that milestone with another victory on Wednesday night, working a full inning of scoreless ball in the Sox' 6-5 triumph over the Tribe. In 5.1 innings this season, Russell has compiled a 1.69 earned-run average and struck out five batters, while not yielding a walk. His numbers extrapolate to more than eight strikeouts per nine innings, and he is limiting right-handed hitters to just an .091 average.

A 26th-round draft pick out of high school, Russell is the 19th Ohio player ever to suit up for a Major League club. After three years under head coach Joe Carbone in Athens, he was a sixth-round draft selection by the White Sox in 2004.