Headlines of May 29, 2015 Beck hopes to build on debut, earn return trip Connor Smolensky, MLB.com White Sox hurt by miscues, can't bottle up O's Brittany Ghiroli and Connor Smolensky, MLB.com No sweat: Sale sizzles to stifle O's in Sox win Connor Smolensky, MLB.com Dominant Sale sets up tight Game 1 victory Brittany Ghiroli and Connor Smolensky, MLB.com Young stars set for Lone Star duel Brian McTaggart, MLB.com White Sox recall Webb for twin bill coverage Connor Smolensky, MLB.com White Sox can't seem to turn the corner from pretender to contender Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune Thursday's Game 2 recap: Orioles 6, White Sox 3 Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune Up next: White Sox at Astros Chicago Tribune Thursday's Game 1 recap: White Sox 3, Orioles 2 Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune Sox' Ventura tired of hearing about expectations Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times Sale finally figures out O's as Sox split doubleheader Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times Cubs and White Sox both predicted to draft Vanderbilt pitchers Blair Sheade, Chicago Sun-Times Sale pitches gem as Sox split doubleheader with Orioles Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times White Sox' Ventura throws support behind Robertson Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times Chris Beck deserved better in Chicago White Sox debut Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com Rapid Reaction: Orioles 6, White Sox 3 Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com Orioles, White Sox split doubleheader caused by riots The Associated Press, ESPN.com Chris Sale sliding into form for White Sox Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com White Sox add Chris Beck for Game 2 Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com Chisox beat Orioles in doubleheader opener caused by riots The Associated Press, ESPN.com Rapid Reaction: White Sox 3, Orioles 2 Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com Gordon Beckham contributing with keen instincts Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com Preview: White Sox, Astros clash tonight on CSN CSN Chicago Sloppy White Sox drop nightcap to Orioles Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Chris Sale shines in White Sox victory over Orioles Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago J.B. Shuck's approach, readiness impresses White Sox Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago White Sox encouraged by Avisail Garcia's progress Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago White Sox Abreu fourth in early first base voting for All-Star Game John Paschall, CSN Chicago Beck hopes to build on debut, earn return trip Connor Smolensky / MLB.com May 28th, 2015 Chris Beck will remember a couple of things from his first Major League start, but he learned one of them real quick. "They don't miss mistakes, that's for sure," Beck, the White Sox No. 12 prospect, according to MLB.com, said with a chuckle. Manny Machado gave the rookie that lesson when he hit a leadoff triple in a 6-3 loss to the Orioles in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader, which the two teams split following a 3-2 White Sox victory in Game 1. Beck didn't get off to the start that he envisioned as he also allowed a Chris Davis ground-rule double and two runs in the first inning. After giving up a hit and a walk in the second, the right-hander allowed three hits and walk in the third inning for two more runs. Beck settled down a bit, giving up four hits after the third, and not one earned run for the rest of his outing.
"I gave up a couple knocks here and there, but other than that, if I could erase that first two-run inning there, maybe it's a different story," he said, after giving up 10 hits, five runs (four earned), four walks and three strikeouts over six innings. Be that as it may, Beck said he spent a few moments soaking in his first Major League start before he remembered he had a job to do. Beck's wife, high school baseball coach and father-in-law were in attendance to see him pitch. "He extended himself. He got into some jams, got out of some jams," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "They scored some runs and that's part of the big league experience. He gets up here and competes and throws strikes." The White Sox defense didn't help him out, committing two errors, including a misplayed relay throw from catcher Geovany Soto that allowed Adam Jones to score, and a poor throw from shortstop Gordon Beckham to first. Following the game, Beck was sent back down to Triple-A Charlotte, where he went 3-1 in his last four starts with a 1.73 ERA. "Unfortunately, today I didn't get the job done," Beck said. "But like I said, it's something to build on, something to go back to Charlotte and work on. Work on consistency and commanding the zone, and hopefully come up here and get another shot at it to give the team a better chance to win next time." White Sox hurt by miscues, can't bottle up O's Brittany Ghiroli and Connor Smolensky / MLB.com May 28th, 2015 The Orioles tallied 13 hits and capitalized on some sloppy White Sox defense to pave the way for a 6-3 win and a doubleheader split at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday night. Baltimore scored five runs (four earned) over six innings off rookie starter Chris Beck, who was making his Major League debut. Orioles rookie Mike Wright lasted five innings, allowing a leadoff homer to Adam Eaton and a two-run shot to Adam LaRoche in the third, but earned the win after the bullpen's scoreless effort. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Orioles 'pen pieces it together: After Wright turned in his shortest start of the season, Baltimore's relief corps held up for four scoreless innings. Oliver Drake worked around a trio of walks, Brad Brach and Darren O'Day each had a perfect inning and closer Zach Britton finished things off for his 13th save. "We knew we were good, we knew we were talented," O'Day said of a bullpen that pitched seven scoreless innings over Thursday's two games. "It was just a matter of time. The longer our starters go, the better.... It's a talented bullpen, and we will continue to get better." Beck makes Major League debut: Beck surrendered 10 hits and walked four while notching three strikeouts to go with his four earned runs allowed. The right-hander gave up a leadoff triple to Manny Machado to start the game and was touched for two runs in the first and third innings as well as one in the sixth. "You're going to have games like that, and you're going to have games where you go out and throw seven shutout on 90 pitches," Beck said. "And you are going to have games where you get beat in for three innings and you are out of the game. It's all part of it, it's part of the process. It's something to build on and something to get out of the way early." White Sox miscues: Chicago was not as crisp in the second game of the doubleheader, committing two errors. Catcher Geovany Soto misplayed a relay throw from left field that allowed Adam Jones to score in the third, and Gordon Beckham made a poor throw to first base that got by LaRoche on David Lough's RBI single in the seventh. The White Sox were able to preserve an extra run on the errant throw, when right fielder J.B. Shuck, backing up on the play, made a good throw to get Ryan Flaherty at home. "Long day to get guys in there and play some positions," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "But we could have played better in the second game."
Beckham didn't help himself out on the basepaths either when he was doubled up at first on a Conor Gillaspie fly ball to right. The White Sox had two men on at the time, and Drake walked three batters that inning. "It wasn't a good play," Ventura said. "Maybe it was the long day part. It got away from him." Baltimore's consistent bats: The O's offense, which has been scuffling as of late, turned in a relentless performance. Every starter had at least one hit, four of which were for extra bases, and six different players picked up an RBI, including catcher Steve Clevenger, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored. "I was pretty excited to get in there today," said Clevenger, who got the Game 2 start, his first since being recalled earlier this week. "I was playing well down in Norfolk. I was just hoping to continue to play really well up here today." QUOTABLE "Exhale? I'm just glad I'm inhaling and exhaling, period, at my age. I don't know. We knew [the doubleheader] was coming. But it's been sitting there, and everybody knows it's coming. It's one of those things you've got to get through before it and after it. I think about the White Sox. They played some tough games in Toronto, and they had to travel here. We had it easier than they did, and now they're heading to Houston. I don't think people realize the challenge. We're not the only ones facing it. All through baseball, the schedule is a challenge. And let's keep in mind why we're playing these two games.... I think sometimes we lose sight of why we're doing what we're doing today." -- Orioles manager Buck Showalter SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Showalter tied Whitey Herzog for 35th on the all-time managerial wins list with 1,281. "That list has got a lot of nicknames," Showalter said. "My daughter is aware of that. I didn't know she knew who Whitey Herzog was. It means you've done something a long time. I bet Whitey doesn't have a gnome [giveaway night]." WHAT'S NEXT White Sox: Rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon will start Friday, when Chicago begins a three-game series against the Astros in Houston at 7:10 p.m. CT. Rodon will be pitching on nine days' rest thanks to a spot start by Hector Noesi on Monday. Rodon is 1-0 with a 4.03 ERA in six games, including three starts, this season. Orioles: Baltimore will open a three-game series against the Rays on Friday, with Miguel Gonzalez set to take the hill. Gonzalez will be opposed by righty Nathan Karns in the 7:05 p.m. ET matchup. No sweat: Sale sizzles to stifle O's in Sox win Connor Smolensky / MLB.com May 28th, 2015 Chris Sale admitted to reporters after his Thursday start that he has been terrible against the Orioles in his career. The left-hander entered the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with an 0-2 record and 5.06 ERA lifetime against Baltimore. He left, however, with his first win against the club and a season-high 12 strikeouts in the White Sox 3-2 victory over the Orioles. "He really controlled his emotions as far as, it wasn't like he was all out all the time," manager Robin Ventura said of his ace. "He really had his soft stuff going today location-wise, and being able to add and subtract. I think that's the biggest thing. When he gets like that, he is really tough." Sale, who grew up in Lakeland, Fla., was unaffected by the hot, sticky weather at Camden Yards and went 7 2/3 innings, giving up just four hits -- two of which were infield singles. "This is what I grew up in," Sale said. "This is what I played every game of baseball in pretty much before college, so it was nice to get hot and get a little sweat going, stay loose." Sale feeling loose resulted in a heavy dose of sliders that kept the Orioles off balance throughout his outing. The lefty said that his offspeed stuff was the best it's been all season, and he fell one out shy of his fourth consecutive start of eight innings or more.
It was in question whether or not Sale would go out for the eighth, as he entered the inning with 108 pitches. Ventura talked with Sale, who said he felt great, and the skipper stayed with him. Sale was pulled with two outs in the eighth with 120 pitches under his belt. "Where we're at right now with the doubleheader, you like him to be able to go back out there," Ventura said. Thursday's start was 11th time in Sale's career that he notched 12 or more strikeouts -- a mark that leads the Majors since 2012. He also extended his club record of posting double-digit strikeouts in 21 games. "The main objective today was just fill innings, go as deep as I could in innings," Sale said. "Runs, walks, hits, all the other stuff, you get a doubleheader, you want to get as far into the game as you can on the first one." Dominant Sale sets up tight Game 1 victory Brittany Ghiroli and Connor Smolensky / MLB.com May 28th, 2015 Chicago ace Chris Sale was dominant, spoiling Orioles rookie Tyler Wilson's impressive first Major League start and striking out 12 in the White Sox 3-2 Game 1 win over Baltimore on Thursday afternoon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Sale went 7 2/3 scoreless innings, tallying a season high in strikeouts and holding the O's to just four singles. Baltimore didn't get on the board until Chris Davis' two-run homer -- his third in two games -- off reliever Zach Duke in the ninth. "Just trying to mix in all my pitches, throw some strikes," Sale said. "The main objective today was just fill innings, go as deep as I could in innings. Runs, walks, hits, all the other stuff, you get a doubleheader, you want to get as far into the game as you can on the first one." Thursday afternoon's game was immediately followed by the second game of a doubleheader, which made up the April 27 and 28 postponements due to civil unrest in Baltimore. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Sox bats do just enough: The White Sox scored their first two runs of the game in the sixth inning on two doubles from Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche. Adam Eaton got the inning started with a leadoff walk and scored on the next at-bat, when Cabrera lined a double down the left-field line that tailed away from Orioles outfielder Steve Pearce. Cabrera then crossed the plate two batters later on LaRoche's line drive that just got over the leaping Adam Jones in center field. In the ninth, the Sox pushed across what proved to be the winning run before Davis hit his two-run homer in the bottom of the frame. After J.B. Shuck and Gordon Beckham recorded singles,tyler Flowers grounded into a forceout to plate Shuck, with Beckham's hard slide into second breaking up a potential double play. Wilson wows in debut start: The righty took a shutout into the sixth inning and kept his cool in his first career big league start. Wilson held Chicago to two runs on five hits and a walk in an impressive 86-pitch outing. "My job was to go out and deliver a quality start and give us a chance to win and kind of eat some innings," said Wilson, who was recalled from Triple-A before the game. "Eighteen innings is a lot of baseball for one day, especially for a pitching staff to kind of handle. I was grateful to be that 26th man and get up here and eat some innings for the team." Sale's dirty dozen: Sale extended his club record by recording double-digit strikeouts for the 21st time. He entered the eighth inning with 108 pitches, and after getting two outs, he finished with a season-high 120. "Historically, I have been pretty terrible against this team to be honest with you," said Sale, who had an 0-2 record and 5.06 ERA lifetime against Baltimore. "It was nice to be able to turn that around and get the first one." Davis goes deep... again: Following Wednesday's two-homer game, Davis continued to show encouraging signs at the plate. He drove Duke's 2-2 curveball over the right-center-field wall for his 11th homer of the season. Davis also has four RBIs over his past two games.
"We're hoping for four [homers] in two days," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Game 2. "I don't think he struck out today. Against Chris Sale, that's saying something. [Davis], a couple adjustments he's made, but he's been doing that for a long time. I'm glad to see [it].... It would mean a lot for us, for him, to get it going for a while." MACHADO EJECTED Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was tossed in the bottom of the eighth inning by home-plate umpire Toby Basner. Machado thought he had checked his swing but was ruled to strike out to end the inning, and he slammed his bat and helmet down in anger while he voiced his displeasure. He was immediately thrown out and replaced in the top of the ninth by Ryan Flaherty. SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Thursday marked the 11th time in Sale's career that he recorded 12 or more strikeouts, which is the most in the Major Leagues since 2012. Young stars set for Lone Star duel Brian McTaggart / MLB.com May 27th, 2015 In a battle of two of the game's promising young arms, Lance McCullers Jr. will make his third Major League start and second at home when the Astros face the White Sox and Carlos Rodon in the opening game of a three-game series at 7:05 p.m. CT Friday at Minute Maid Park. McCullers, 21, has made two starts since coming up from Double-A and picked up his first Major League win Saturday in Detroit. He was drafted by the Astros in the supplemental round (41st overall) in 2012. Rodon, meanwhile, will be making his fourth consecutive start -- first since May 20 -- after throwing out of the bullpen to start the season. The lefty was taken with the third pick in the 2014 Draft and was scouted heavily by the Astros, who wound up taking high school pitcher Brady Aiken with the first pick. Things to know about this game The White Sox on Friday will play their fourth game in three days in three different cities and two countries. They played in Toronto on Wednesday and played a makeup doubleheader in Baltimore on Thursday before coming to Houston. The Astros have won seven of their last eight games at home after beginning the season by going 8-8 at Minute Maid Park. The White Sox have lost seven of their last 10 games, scoring only 24 runs during the stretch. White Sox recall Webb for twin bill coverage Connor Smolensky / MLB.com May 28th, 2015 The White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Daniel Webb from Triple-A Charlotte as the team's 26th man for Thursday's doubleheader at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Both the White Sox and Orioles are allowed a 26th man for Thursday's games, which were makeups for the pair of games that were postponed due to civil unrest in Baltimore during the late April series. Webb, 25, previously served as the 26th player for the White Sox on April 26 against Kansas City, but he did not pitch. Webb is 1-1 with a 4.01 ERA, two saves, 21 strikeouts and a.237 opponents average in 15 games with Charlotte this season. The reliever has gone two-plus innings eight times and is limiting right-handed hitters to a.229 mark. Webb is 6-5 with a 3.87 ERA, five holds, and 68 strikeouts in 66 career relief appearances over two seasons with the White Sox. He will be used out of the bullpen and may have a chance for a save opportunity with David Robertson going two innings Wednesday in Chicago's 5-3 win over Toronto.
"We got a mixed bag today," manager Robin Ventura said. "With Robbie going two yesterday, you are probably not going to use him. We'll see how he's feeling today as he moves around and does stuff. The chance of him going in are probably slim, but you never know." Webb must stay up for both games of the doubleheader. Between games, the White Sox officially called up No. 12 prospect Chris Beck -- who made his Major League debut in Game 2 on Thursday -- from Triple-A, while optioning righty Scott Carroll. White Sox can't seem to turn the corner from pretender to contender Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune When the White Sox begin their three-game series against the Astros in Houston on Friday, the only one left to reminisce about winning the 2005 World Series at Minute Maid Park is pitching coach Don Cooper. Manager Ozzie Guillen, Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye and the other Sox legends of '05 are long gone, and Paul Konerko is enjoying his first year of retirement playing hockey. Sox fans hope that celebration in Houston wasn't a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the way this season has gone the first two months, it's hard to see it happening any time soon. While the Astros executed a complete teardown and rebuild on their way to first-place in the American League West, the Sox opted to do things the old-fashioned way, throwing money at their problems in the hopes of contending again. It hasn't worked so far, despite a talented roster and a very patient general manager. In Thursday's rescheduled doubleheader against the Orioles in Baltimore, Chris Sale threw a gem in winning the opener 3-2, striking out a season-high 12 in 7 2/3 shutout innings. But the Sox lost the nightcap 6-3 as rookie Chris Beck had a rough debut and a baserunning mistake spoiled a potential rally. The Sox made three more bad decisions on the bases Thursday, including Gordon Beckham getting doubled off first in the nightcap while tagging up at first base on a fly to right and then trying to get back to the bag. "It wasn't a good play, so maybe it was the long day part, kind of got away from it," manager Robin Ventura said. It was also a hot and sticky day, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter caught a reporter yawning afterward. "There's no yawning in here," Showalter said. The Sox are 2-3 on the 11-game, four-city trip, but already have had several highs and lows. When Jeff Samardzija and Sale pitch like they have the last two days and Adam LaRoche's power game switches on as it has, there's no reason the Sox can't go on a long hot streak. But instead of replicating the "Go-Go" Sox on the basepaths, they're becoming the "Oh-No-Don't-Go" Sox, with LaRoche and Emilio Bonifacio also making blunders in Game 1. Coincidentally, the Sox are having a garage sale Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field. If things don't start improving on the field, the real selloff will be in July. Being on the road is probably a good thing for this team, which needs to shut out the noise back home, whether it's about the fate of the manager, the poor attendance or the chances of a selloff. It's easy to forget the season began sliding downhill after the Sox sat around for two days because of civil unrest in Baltimore last month while waiting for the games to be played. They lost the one game they did play in empty Camden Yards, then four straight at Minnesota. Having this doubleheader shoehorned into a grueling trip could have been avoided if the Orioles had agreed to play those postponed games in April at Nationals Park. But the owners dislike each other intensely, and MLB caved in to the Orioles wish to reschedule the games, ignoring the fact it would affect the Sox.
"It has been hectic already," Ventura said. "It was supposed to be an off day for us. It's a long stretch when you're in Canada first, you get here, play two games and now we're off again." After Sale's brilliant outing, the Sox had a chance to sweep the Orioles for the first time since 1999. "That's what this team is about, just fighting till the end," Sale said. "Coming in here, it's pretty tough circumstances, but that's what baseball does, and we have some fighters in there. Try to take two." But that didn't happen, and the Sox still are fighting to get back to respectability. Extra innings: The Sox optioned Scott Carroll to Triple-A Charlotte to make room on the roster for Beck, who also was optioned back to Triple A after the game. Ventura said Avisail Garcia's sore knee is better, though he sat out the doubleheader and has missed all or part of seven of the last eight games with right knee inflammation. Ventura said he's not a candidate for the disabled list yet. Catcher Rob Brantly (thumb fracture) was sent to Double-A Birmingham on a rehab assignment. Thursday's Game 2 recap: Orioles 6, White Sox 3 Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune The summary The White Sox had a chance to sweep the Orioles for the first time since 1999, but lost 6-3 to get a split Thursday in Game 2 of a makeup doubleheader. At the plate Adam Eaton homered leading off a game for the first time in his career. Adam LaRoche's two-run homer in the third inning gave the Sox a brief lead. On the mound Sox rookie Chris Beck made his major-league debut, facing Orioles rookie Mike Wright, who began his career with 141/3 scoreless innings. Beck was hit hard in the early going and allowed four earned runs on 10 hits with four walks in six innings, giving up a lead twice. In the field Catcher Geovany Soto dropped a perfect relay throw from Melky Cabrera that should have nailed Adam Jones at the plate in the third. The error allowed both baserunners to advance and led to second run in the inning. On the bases Beckham was thrown out in the sixth after tagging at first on a fly to right and trying to get back, spoiling a potential rally. Key number 167 Runs the Sox have scored this season. They are on a pace for their fewest since their 587 in 1980. The quote "It's part of the process, something to work on." Beck on his debut Up next White Sox at Astros, 7:10 p.m. Friday, CSN.
Up next: White Sox at Astros Chicago Tribune May 29, 2015 Season series: 3-3 in 2014. Friday: 7:10 p.m., CSN. LH Carlos Rodon (1-0, 4.03) vs. RH Lance McCullers (1-0, 2.53). Saturday: 3:10 p.m., CSN. LH Jose Quintana (2-5, 4.67) vs. LH Dallas Keuchel (6-1, 1.98). Sunday: 1:10 p.m., WGN-9. LH John Danks (2-4, 5.69) vs. RH Roberto Hernandez (2-3, 4.77). Who's hot: Keuchel is limiting left-handed batters to a.140 average and.369 OPS. Jose Abreu entered Thursday hitting.361 with runners in scoring position. Who's not: Tyler Flowers is 5-for-31 (.161) his last nine games. David Robertson has served up ninth-inning home runs in his last two outings. Colby Rasmus has struck out in 36 percent of his at-bats. Thursday's Game 1 recap: White Sox 3, Orioles 2 Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune The summary The White Sox beat the Orioles 3-2 in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader in Baltimore behind the dominant pitching of Chris Sale, who struck out a season-high 12 in 7 2/3 shutout innings. It was Sale's 21st game with 10 or more strikeouts, and his third this season. At the plate Melky Cabrera's RBI double opened the scoring in the sixth and Adam LaRoche (3-for-4) added an RBI double later in the inning. Tyler Flowers' run-scoring, fielder's choice groundout made it 3-0 in the ninth, and that proved to be the winning run. On the mound Sale set the tone immediately by striking out the side in the first. Sale was still strong when he was relieved, striking out Everth Cabrera on a 96 mph fastball on his season-high 120th pitch. He now has struck out 10 or more without issuing a walk five times in his career. Jake Petricka came on to close it out in the ninth after Zach Duke served up a two-out, tworun run home run to Chris Davis. On the bases LaRoche was thrown out at third by center fielder Adam Jones in the second while trying to advance on a one-out fly to center. Pinch-runner Emilio Bonifacio was thrown out trying to steal second in the eighth. Key number The 16 strikeouts by Sox pitchers was also a season-high.
The quote "This is what I grew up in. This is what I played every game of baseball in pretty much before college, so it was nice to get hot and get a little sweat going and stay loose." Sale on pitching in the hot, humid weather The quote II Robin Ventura on closer David Robertson White Sox manager Robin Ventura on closer David Robertson. "Expectations are expectations and it's fine. It's good to have expectations. We've kind of been on the other side of that where we didn't have expectations, it's not as fun to not have expectations. "The pressure part you probably get that, but that's part of playing the game. There should be that. It's frustrating when you don't win as you expect but as far as the other stuff, we're trying to win that game that day and I don't think that has anything to do with expectations." Robin Ventura Sox' Ventura tired of hearing about expectations Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times When the White Sox woke up Thursday morning, they were in last place, wishing they could somehow swap places with the Minnesota Twins. Who expected that in February? An 11-game, four-city trip that started with two ugly losses in Toronto figured to turn up the heat on manager Robin Ventura s imaginary hot seat. Those once lofty winter expectations that were starting to show cracks in May only figured to completely crumble at some point in June. It s good to have expectations, Ventura said. We ve kind of been on the other side of that where we didn t have expectations it s not as fun to not have expectations. True, but the Sox sometimes don t seem to know what to do in their renewed world of expectations. They split a doubleheader with the Orioles on Thursday at Camden Yards, making up two games that were postponed because of Baltimore s riots in late April. The split a 3-2 victory back by Chris Sale in Game 1 and a sloppy 6-3 loss in Game 2 should temporarily calm the Sox emotionally spent fan base. The Sox are creeping up on June and remain on the wrong side of.500. For a team that made more meaningful moves than any other club during the offseason, the idea of a midseason selloff didn t seem a likely scenario in 2015.But too much time in last place changes priorities, and the Sox know the calendar is starting to work against them. If general manager Rick Hahn is forced into becoming a midseason seller instead of buyer, that means something drastically went wrong here. There is no positive spin the Sox can put on that. The immediate finger usually points at the manager, but Ventura enjoys a certain job security in chairman Jerry Reinsdorf s strange world that Tom Thibodeau never did as Bulls coach. Reinsdorf was in an ornery mood Thursday, and fired Thibodeau despite another Bulls playoff run. Would that bad mood cross over to the Sox and Ventura, whose team can t even talk about the playoffs with a straight face these days? Sale finally figures out O's as Sox split doubleheader Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times Forget all of those strikeouts and scoreless innings, Chris Sale had a larger issue on his mind Thursday after breezing against the Baltimore Orioles.
Historically, I have been pretty terrible against this team, Sale said with a relieved smile. So it was nice to be able to turn that around. Sale struck out 12 and walked none during his 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a 3-2 Sox victory, the first game of a doubleheader split at Camden Yards. It was the fifth time Sale has struck out at least 10 and walked none during his career. Sale was making his 10th career appearance against the O s and fourth start. He entered with an 0-2 record and 5.06 ERA. Overall, White Sox pitchers combined for a season-high 16 strikeouts in Game 1. Left-hander Zach Duke yielded a twoout, two-run homer to Chris Davis in the ninth inning before right-hander Jake Petricka got the final out for his first save. Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and Tyler Flowers each knocked in runs for the Sox. Just matched up against one of the best pitchers in baseball, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Sale had everything going today. It was especially sweet for the Sox coming a day after co-ace Jeff Samardzija held the Toronto Blue Jays to one unearned run in seven innings. It s clear Samardzija and Sale fast friends during their first season as teammates are feeding off each other. One hundred percent, I think we all do, Sale said. You don t want to get outdone. I mean, we re competitors, so any time he goes out there and has a strong one, you want to follow that lead. Beck makes MLB debut Right-hander Chris Beck, 24, was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte between games of the doubleheader to start Game 2. Beck allowed five runs (four earned) and 10 hits in six innings of the Sox 6-3 loss. It s your dream to do it since you were a kid, Beck said of his debut. It all came full circle for me today. To make room on the roster for Beck, right-hander Scott Carroll was optioned to Charlotte. Beck was optioned back to Charlotte after the outing. The Sox kept right-hander Daniel Webb, who was used as the 26th man for the doubleheader. A nod for Robertson Closer David Robertson, who got a rest during the doubleheader, has the full support of manager Robin Ventura after blowing saves in consecutive outings this week. He s still the closer, Ventura said with a laugh, if that s what you re asking. There was little doubt of that, but frustrated White Sox fans took Robertson s walkoff blown save in Toronto on Tuesday particularly hard. Robertson yielded a three-run homer to the Blue Jays Josh Donaldson in the ninth inning Tuesday, taking a crushing 10-9 loss at Rogers Centre. Then Wednesday, he yielded another Donaldson home run to blow a save before pitching a scoreless 10th in a 5-3 White Sox victory. With those two outings, Robertson s ERA went from 0.98 to 2.61. It s hard to get through this without getting nicked up, Ventura said. There are very few guys in the bullpen that go through it without getting a gunshot. That s going to happen. Mentality-wise, you like where he s at and how he s responded.
Garcia gets extra rest Right fielder Avisail Garcia sat out the doubleheader because of inflammation in his right knee. Ventura said a move to the disabled list for Garcia is unlikely and that he could play this weekend in Houston. Cubs and White Sox both predicted to draft Vanderbilt pitchers Blair Sheade, Chicago Sun-Times In the upcoming MLB Draft, the White Sox and Cubs pick back-to-back. The South side holds the No. 8 pick, while the North side picks ninth. According to one prediction, the Cubs and Sox may have something in common with their picks. They are both predicted to select pitchers from Vanderbilt University. David Rawnsley, former assistant scouting director for the Houston Astros and a national baseball writer with Baseball America, predicted the first-round selections for the 2015 MLB Draft. Rawnsley thinks the White Sox will select the Vanderbilt ace Carson Fulmer. The 6-foot, 195-pound right-hander was 11-2 with a 1.97 ERA and 136 strike outs this season. Rawnsley determines the Cubs need more pitching help, and the next best pitcher available in this draft is Fulmer s teammate Walker Buehler. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-hander was 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 74 strikeouts. White Sox and Cubs fans will have to wait until June 8 to find out who their teams actually pick. Sale pitches gem as Sox split doubleheader with Orioles Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times Left-hander Chris Sale struck out 12 and walked none over 7 2/3 scoreless innings as the Sox beat the Orioles 3-2 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday at Camden Yards. Right-hander Chris Beck, 24, was recalled from Class AAA Charlotte between games of the doubleheader to start Game 2 for the Sox. Beck allowed five runs (four earned) and 10 hits in six innings of the Sox 6-3 loss. The doubleheader was scheduled as a makeup for games postponed after rioting broke out in Baltimore in late April. It was the fifth time Sale has struck out at least 10 and walked none during his career. I felt strong throughout, Sale said. Historically, I have been pretty terrible against this team, to be totally honest with you. So it was nice to be able to turn that around. Sale was making his 10th career appearance against the O s and fourth start. He entered with an 0-2 record and 5.06 ERA. Overall, White Sox pitchers combined for a season-high 16 strikeouts. Left-hander Zach Duke yielded a two-out, two-run homer to Chris Davis in the ninth inning before right-hander Jake Petricka got the final out for his first save. Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and Tyler Flowers each knocked in runs for the Sox. Just matched up against one of the best pitchers in baseball, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Sale had everything going today. White Sox' Ventura throws support behind Robertson Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun-Times
Though he likely won t be available during the White Sox doubleheader today against the Orioles, closer David Robertson has the full support of manager Robin Ventura after blowing saves in consecutive outings this week. He s still the closer, Ventura said with a laugh Thursday, if that s what you re asking. There was little doubt of that, but frustrated White Sox fans took Robertson s walkoff blown save in Toronto on Tuesday particularly hard. The closer goes out there and we had already lost a couple at that point you re needing a win pretty bad and when you get the lead, especially the way it happened it s always tough, Ventura said. But I ve never seen it to where a closer gives up a lead and it s not a gut shot where everybody goes, Oh my gosh. Any time that happens that s just the way it is. You just have to have a guy that s resilient enough and can put it behind him and go back out there. Robertson yielded a three-run homer to the Blue Jays Josh Donaldson in the ninth inning Tuesday, taking a crushing 10-9 loss at Rogers Centre. Then Wednesday, he yielded another Donaldson home run to blow a save before pitching a scoreless 10th in a 5-3 White Sox victory. With those two outings, Robertson s ERA went from 0.98 to 2.61. It s hard to get through this without getting nicked up, Ventura said. There are very few guys in the bullpen that go through it without getting a gunshot. That s going to happen. Mentality-wise, you like where he s at and how he s responded. Chris Beck deserved better in Chicago White Sox debut Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com Like refueling a fighter jet in flight, Chris Beck hooked up with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday for the briefest of moments before he was off again. The 24-year old made his major league debut in a 6-2 loss during Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader at Baltimore. When his six innings were over, he was back on his way to Triple-A Charlotte. He might have walked four and taken the loss while giving up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits, but he still was able to show enough to earn another chance somewhere in the near future. "He managed himself really good," catcher Geovany Soto said. "He was a big leaguer. He looked like a big leaguer." The further Beck got from a shaky first inning, the better he seemed to get. His first big league pitch went for a triple to Manny Machado and he gave up two runs in that opening frame, but he rebounded with an aggressive approach at times. "The first couple of pitches, I just had to tell myself to throw strikes, keep the ball down in the zone," Beck said. "I did that for a couple of innings but other than that everything was a little shaky. Command hasn't been as sharp as it has been in the past. I just put my head down, tried to battle through and give the team a chance to win." Better defense and the chance to take back a couple of pitches could have delivered a much better result, but Beck gave the White Sox enough positives moving forward. "Oh, I'm sure he was nervous," manager Robin Ventura said. "Any guy that comes in there is nervous, but he's throwing strikes, that's the biggest thing. His presence and command stuff was great. Sometimes you get a little worried about a guy getting in there and not throwing strikes, but for him coming in there first time in there, he did fine."
The Georgia native found about his first start on short notice, but his wife and high school baseball coach were able to get to Baltimore on time. The rest of his family and friends could be looking at his next major league start before the season ends. Maybe in that next outing he will look more like the pitcher at the end of the outing than the one at the beginning. "That's part of the game," Beck said. "You're going to have games like that, you're going to have games where you throw seven [shutout innings] on 90 pitches and you're going to have games where you get beat in for three innings and now you're out of the game. It's all part of it, part of the process. It's something to build on, something to work on and something I guess, to get out of the way early." The White Sox's defense had three separate chances to save runs for Beck but couldn't deliver. Conor Gillaspie couldn't corral a ball hit down the line that allowed a run to score. Soto couldn't catch a throw from the outfield in the third inning resulting in a run. And Emilio Bonifacio couldn't snag a hard liner that went off his glove in the sixth. "We had some chances there to get him out of some stuff and we didn't and you move on to Houston," Ventura said. "It was a long day, a long day to get guys in there and play some positions but we could have played better in the second game." It was just more evidence how Beck's day could have gone better, but why it wasn't a disaster by any means. "[Chris] Sale set the tone early [in Game 1], and pitching is just as contagious as hitting is," Beck said. "I was ready to go out there and give them my full effort for as long as I could and unfortunately today I didn't get the job done. "It's something to build on, to go back to Charlotte and work on some consistency and just keep commanding the zone and hopefully come back up here and get another shot at it and give the team a better chance to win next time." Soto thinks that could happen one day down the road. "I felt like he did great," Soto said. "He was working both sides of the plate and his breaking pitches were there. It was the first time I caught him but I think he has great stuff. It was a good changeup, a great changeup, good slider, command of the fastball. Give credit to the other team, but I thought he did a great job." Rapid Reaction: Orioles 6, White Sox 3 Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com 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 tworun 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 earlystart 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. Orioles, White Sox split doubleheader caused by riots The Associated Press, ESPN.com The Baltimore Orioles had just earned a split of their doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox, and manager Buck Showalter didn't seem the least bit excited. That's because there would be plenty of work ahead, most of which would involve resting weary players and shuffling the pitching staff. The Orioles rebounded to scratch out a 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday after a 3-2 loss in the opener of a doubleheader caused by rioting in Baltimore last month. "In the big leagues, you can win, split, whatever and the ramifications last for a long, long time," Showalter said. "We're going to have to make adjustments." That began immediately after the final out, when first-game starter Tyler Wilson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The doubleheader was scheduled after games on April 27-28 were postponed because of riots near the ballpark following the funeral of a black man who died of injuries sustained while in police custody. The third game of that series was played without fans allowed in the stadium. A crowd of 18,441 showed up Thursday. "Let's keep in mind why we're playing these two games. It was self-inflicted," Showalter said. "I think sometimes we lose sight of why we're doing what we're doing today." The White Sox, meanwhile, came from Toronto and immediately left for Houston. "Supposed to be an off day for us. We played two games," manager Robin Ventura said. "Now we're all tired." After Chris Sale struck out 12 over 7 2/3 shutout innings in the opener, the nightcap featured a matchup of rookie righthanders. Chris Beck (0-1) made his major league debut for the White Sox and Mike Wright (2-0) was starting for the third time after scoreless appearances against the Angels and Miami. Wright's spotless ERA vanished on his fifth pitch, when Adam Eaton hit a solo shot to center. Beck got off to a similar start, allowing a triple to leadoff hitter Manny Machado and an RBI double to Chris Davis. Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer in the third for Chicago. Steve Clevenger and J.J. Hardy delivered RBI singles in the bottom half for a 4-3 lead. Wright went five innings, allowing three runs and six hits. Zach Britton, the fourth Baltimore reliever, worked a perfect ninth for his 13th save. Beck, Chicago's second-round pick in the 2012 draft, gave up four earned runs, 10 hits and four walks in six innings. He was called up from Triple-A Charlotte before the game as the 26th player in the doubleheader. "Unfortunately I didn't get the job done," he said. "It is something to build on and to take back to Charlotte with me."
Sale (4-2) dominated the Orioles in the opener, setting a season high in strikeouts, allowing four hits and no walks. He was pulled after striking out Caleb Joseph and Everth Cabrera to raise his pitch count to 120. "My main objective today was to fill in innings and get as deep as I could into the ballgame," the left-hander said. Zach Duke struck out Machado on a check-swing to end the eighth, with Machado getting ejected for arguing the call. After Tyler Flowers hit a run-scoring grounder in the ninth for a 3-0 lead, Duke added two more strikeouts in the bottom half before Delmon Young singled and Davis homered. Jake Petricka then struck out Snider for his first save. Making his first major league start following two appearances as a reliever this month, Wilson (1-1) matched zeros with Sale until the sixth. Eaton drew a leadoff walk, Melky Cabrera hit an opposite-field RBI double and scored on a one-out double by LaRoche, who had three hits. "The biggest takeaway obviously is walking that leadoff guy in the sixth inning. Can't happen," Wilson said. Wilson allowed two runs, five hits and a walk in six innings. MATUSZ HEARING SET Orioles LHP Brian Matusz will have his appeal of an eight-game suspension heard on June 3. He received the suspension Monday after being ejected from a game in Miami on Saturday for having a foreign substance on his right arm. TRAINER'S ROOM White Sox: 3B Avisail Garcia was not in the starting lineup for either game because of inflammation in his right knee. Orioles: C Matt Wieters (elbow) was behind the plate for Double-A Bowie on Thursday. UP NEXT White Sox: Carlos Rodon (1-0, 4.03 ERA) takes the mound for the opener of a three-game series in Houston. Orioles: Baltimore plays its third different opponent in as many days when Miguel Gonzalez (5-3) faces the Tampa Bay Rays and RHP Nathan Karns. Chris Sale sliding into form for White Sox Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com With the afternoon heat near sweltering and the calendar almost flipped to June, it did not seem like a coincidence that Chris Sale was throwing more sliders Thursday. Held back so far this season from throwing his hard breaking pitch with regularity, Sale had been reinventing himself only to moderate success. Fastballs and changeups have been taking Sale only so far as he entered his start Thursday with a 3-2 record and a 4.21 ERA. In each of his first three seasons, Sale has come down with some type of arm discomfort by now. Last season, he hit the disabled list in April with a forearm strain. Chris Sale threw more sliders in Baltimore and struck out 12 in 7 2/3 scoreless innings. Rob Carr/Getty Images So it made sense that Sale entered his start Thursday having thrown a slider just 11 percent of the time, the lowest percentage of his young career. That all changed Thursday, when 20 percent of his 120 pitches against the Orioles in Game 1 of a doubleheader were breaking balls.
He just had a real good feel for it, manager Robin Ventura said of Sale s slider. He only threw a few of the ones that are kind of back-breakers, so I think that s why he was extended somewhat to being able to go back out there. He wasn t all-out effort and I think that was because he had the soft stuff going. He felt great. Sale seemed to downplay the increased number of sliders Thursday, saying he just throws what his catcher requests. I think it goes game-by-game, Sale said. I m not sitting here saying I m going to throw 30 sliders in the next one. Actually, I don t know what pitch I m going to throw. I have to go with what (catcher Tyler Flowers) has for me, and today he saw that I had a better breaking ball than normal and we tried to use it as best we could. Sale, a Florida native, was loving the warm, humid weather, even if the mere concept of Thursday s doubleheader was taxing on the White Sox. The two games came about because of the civil unrest in Baltimore last month forcing two postponed games the last time the team was in town. This is what I grew up in, Sale said about the sticky conditions. This is what I played every game of baseball in pretty much before college, so it was nice to get hot and get a little sweat going and stay loose. With Sale potentially mixing in more sliders down the road and Jeff Samardzija looking like he is finally hitting his stride, the White Sox are getting the 1-2 punch they hoped for on a more consistent basis. They re tough, Ventura said of his top two pitchers. They ve really turned the corner of being able to take it up a notch and give what these guys can do. You look forward to having them back to back like this. Sale has been watching Samardzija s recent success with keen interest, hoping to match it. He said they are feeding off each other. One hundred percent, I think we all do, Sale said. You don t want to get outdone. I mean, we re competitors, so any time he goes out there and has a strong one, you want to follow that lead. It goes the exact opposite, too. If I have a bad one, [Jose Quintana] is right behind me to pick me up. That goes for all of us. You always want to be the guy extending those. White Sox add Chris Beck for Game 2 Doug Padilla, ESPNChicago.com The Chicago White Sox added right-handed starter Chris Beck to the active roster Thursday and optioned right-hander Scott Carroll to Triple-A Charlotte. Beck was utilized quickly as he was inserted as the starter for the second game of Thursday s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. He was making his major league debut. Beck had been recalled earlier in the season, when he was added as the 26th man on the roster for the May 9 doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. He did not appear in either game. Beck, 24, was 3-2 with a 3.30 ERA in eight starts at Charlotte this season. Carroll, 30, was 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in eight relief appearances with the White Sox. He is expected to return to the starting rotation at Charlotte. Chisox beat Orioles in doubleheader opener caused by riots The Associated Press, ESPN.com With the Chicago White Sox forced to play a doubleheader that wasn't originally on the schedule, Chris Sale had one modest goal: eat up innings and spare the bullpen. The left-hander did that, and more.