BALTIMORE -- The Chicago White Sox fell 6-3 to the Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader as the teams finished with a split.

How it happened: In his major league debut, White Sox starter Chris Beck gave up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits over six innings. The White Sox scored their runs early, getting a home run from Adam Eaton to lead off the game and a two-run shot from Adam LaRoche in the third inning. It was the first leadoff home run of Eaton's career. Orioles starter Mike Wright gave up three runs on six hits over five innings in his third career start. His first two starts were scoreless outings.

What it means: While Beck was in no way dominating Thursday, he did show at times that his stuff could play on the major league level. He was his own worst enemy at times with four walks, but the further he got away from his early-start jitters the better he started to look. His positives might have been enough to earn him another start at some point down the road.

Outside the box: Poor defense continued to haunt the White Sox. On three of the Orioles’ scoring plays in Game 2, one came when catcher Geovany Soto couldn’t handle a perfect throw at the plate, one came when third baseman Conor Gillaspie had a ball down the line trickle off his glove, and a third happened when second baseman Emilio Bonifacio failed to handle a hard line drive up the middle. All three plays were tough to make, but did not appear impossible. Then there was the base-running gaffe by Gordon Beckham in the sixth inning that took away a prime scoring chance.

Off beat: There continues to be more evidence that LaRoche is at least a better power hitter when he plays in the field. His home run in Game 2 came while he was playing at first base. Four of his five home runs have come in the eight games he has been the first baseman for Jose Abreu. LaRoche even has 10 of his 20 RBIs in those eight games. He has been the designated hitter for 35 games.

Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander Carlos Rodon (1-0, 4.03 ERA) to the mound Friday at Houston in the opener of a three-game series. The Astros will counter with right-hander Lance McCullers (1-0, 2.53) in the 7:10 p.m. CT start at Minute Maid Park.