Garcia defiant as critics take shots

Freddy Garcia took two beatings Tuesday night.

The first one was delivered by the Twins, who rocked the White Sox' right-hander for 6 runs on 8 hits, including 3 home runs, in 21/3 innings.

The second came from a growing number of critics who want Garcia out the Sox' starting rotation.

"I don't care," said Garcia, who is 10-5 with a 4.90 ERA in 21 starts. "If people don't believe in me, that's their problem. My problem is believing in myself and I always prove people wrong. I'll keep doing it. If I pitch like that yesterday, what can I do? I'm not going to pitch every start, 6-7 innings. I have to forget it and prepare for my next start.

"I prove a lot of people wrong all the time. In my next start, I'll try to pitch the best I can."

Garcia has been chased early in 2 of his last 4 starts. At Oakland on July 24, the 34-year-old pitcher lasted just 11/3 innings, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits.

Against the Twins on Tuesday, Garcia gave up 1 run in the first inning and 4 in the second on home runs by Jim Thome, J.J. Hardy and Joe Mauer.

"The first inning I gave up 1 run, I was like, 'OK. That's not bad.' " Garcia said. "The second inning, home run, and after that I didn't have (bleep). I couldn't make an adjustment and that was it. I couldn't put the ball down. Everything was up.

"If I don't throw the ball down, I get hit all the time. It's part of the game, I guess. How many times have I been in that situation and pitched like that? I think that's the first time in many years. What can I say?"

As far as Garcia is concerned, it was just one bad game and nothing else.

"I said (Tuesday) night, if I threw the rosin bag they'd hit it," Garcia said. "It was one of those games. How many starts have I has this year? How many bad games have I had? So it's not that bad."