The Chicago White Sox faced a disappointing start to their Cactus League campaign as they succumbed to an 8-1 defeat against their cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cubs, in the season opener.

The White Sox, looking to put behind the woes of the previous season, were off to a rocky start as veteran reliever Jesse Chavez struggled in the first inning, conceding six earned runs. Despite a commendable effort from pitchers Joe Barlow and Alex Speas, who held the Cubs to just two runs for the remainder of the game, the White Sox offense failed to ignite, managing only four hits.

Tim Elko emerged as a lone spark for the White Sox, delivering an opposite-field home run in the second inning. Newcomers Dominic Fletcher and Oscar Colas also made their presence felt with hits in their Spring debut, showcasing the competition for the right field position.

With this defeat, the White Sox kick off their Cactus League schedule with a 0-1 record, eager to bounce back in the upcoming games.

In the pitching department, Jesse Chavez’s struggles were evident with his one-inning performance resulting in six earned runs, while the rest of the bullpen managed to keep the Cubs in check, conceding minimal runs.

Looking ahead, the White Sox will return to Camelback Ranch for their first home exhibition game against the Seattle Mariners. They will opt for another bullpen game, with RHP Justin Anderson set to start after receiving praises from pitching coach Ethan Katz.

The game against the Mariners is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM Central Time and will be broadcasted on NBC Sports Chicago.

In summary, while the White Sox faced a setback in their Cactus League opener, they remain determined to regroup and showcase their strengths in the games to come.