White Sox promising rookie southpaw Carlos Rodon appeared destined Saturday for another outing that would motivate some to claim he wasn't ready.

Then he began pitching lights-out.

Rodon earned his first career win in his first start after giving up nine hits and four walks in his first 6 1/3 innings pitched - all in relief. He surrendered three singles and a walk in the third inning to Cincinnati. But he faced just 10 batters in three shutout innings thereafter, yielding one hit and fanning four.

Now sporting a 2.92 ERA, Rodon is scheduled to make his next start Friday in Oakland.