The Angels knocked out White Sox starter Carlos Rodon after one-third of an inning, and Hector Santiago held the South Siders' struggling offense under control the rest of the way in a 7-0 victory Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field. It was the third straight loss for the White Sox, who opened a seven-game homestand, and ended a three-game losing streak for the Angels.
Rodon quickly had a streak of 10 straight quality starts come to a close when the Angels erupted for five runs on six hits. It was the shortest injury-free start for a White Sox hurler since Aug. 28, 2003, when Neal Cotts lasted one-third of an inning at Yankee Stadium.
After Rodon struck out Craig Gentry for his only out, the Angels put seven straight men on base via two walks and five hits. Robin Ventura pulled Rodon at 41 pitches, 22 for strikes, as his ERA rose from 1.38 to 4.73.
Santiago, a one-time White Sox starter and closer, matched a career high with 10 strikeouts. He gave up two hits and pitched out of minor jams in the first and the sixth, with two men on base in each frame.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The awakening: The Angels tied for their highest-scoring game of the season before even recording their second out. Eight of their first nine hitters reached base against Rodon, six on singles and two on walks, to give them an early five-run lead. The six hits was two more than what the Angels got in a 12-inning game in Minnesota on Sunday. It was their first time scoring five runs in the first inning since Aug. 3, 2014.
The awakening: The Angels tied for their highest-scoring game of the season before even recording their second out. Eight of their first nine hitters reached base against Rodon, six on singles and two on walks, to give them an early five-run lead. The six hits was two more than what the Angels got in a 12-inning game in Minnesota on Sunday. It was their first time scoring five runs in the first inning since Aug. 3, 2014.
Putnam, Petricka eat innings: The White Sox were left in an early hole with Rodon unable to get out of the first. But Jake Petricka allowed one run over 2 2/3 innings and Zach Putnam threw three perfect innings to pick up the slack.. The White Sox don't have a long reliever on their staff, and with no off-day until May 2, the team will need strong work out of the starters during the rest of this homestand.
Blowing smoke: Backed by an early lead, Santiago mowed through the White Sox batting order, allowing only five baserunners. The 28-year-old left-hander averaged 91.5 mph on his fastball in 2014 and 90.9 mph in '15. On Monday, 10 of his fastballs were clocked at 95 mph and above.
Flashing the leather: Todd Frazier's hitting struggles continue through 13 games, although he did draw a sixth-inning walk. But Frazier put up web gems in the fourth, fifth and sixth, taking away hits from Mike Trout, Geovany Soto and Yunel Escobar, respectively.
WHAT'S NEXT
Angels: Matt Shoemaker takes the mound, looking to build on a solid start against the A's, in the second of a four-game series at 5:10 p.m. PT on Tuesday. Coming off giving up six runs and recording only nine outs, Shoemaker bounced back brilliantly Wednesday, twirling six innings of one-hit ball in Oakland.
Angels: Matt Shoemaker takes the mound, looking to build on a solid start against the A's, in the second of a four-game series at 5:10 p.m. PT on Tuesday. Coming off giving up six runs and recording only nine outs, Shoemaker bounced back brilliantly Wednesday, twirling six innings of one-hit ball in Oakland.
White Sox: Mat Latos has not only been better than expected during his first two starts for the South Siders, but downright close to unhittable. Latos stands as just the sixth pitcher since 1913 to win each of his first two starts for the White Sox with an ERA under 1.00. He'll oppose Shoemaker on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. CT.
No comments:
Post a Comment