White Sox' Humber pitching in despite emotional times
Philip Humber's next start is scheduled for Monday, when the White Sox play a day-night doubleheader at Cleveland.
By then, his head should be clear.
Humber wasn't making any excuses for his performance during Wednesday night's 6-3 loss to the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field.
Technically, the right-hander delivered a quality start while allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings.
Realistically, Humber knows how much he struggled while issuing a career-high 6 walks and throwing 107 pitches.
"I wouldn't call that pitching well," Humber admitted.
Of course, he had a natural excuse. Actually, two excuses.
It has been an interesting 11 days for the pitcher, starting with his April 21 perfect game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
On Tuesday night, Humber's wife, Kristan, delivered the couple's first child, John Gregory.
"It's I guess a whirlwind couple of weeks for him," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think that's more of what it is than him not being a good pitcher. It's one of those things that kind of comes with playing, a lot of outside stuff comes into it.
"But, you know, he still pitched well enough to get us through where we had a shot at it."
Humber was able to pitch out of bases-loaded jams in the first and third innings, but that forced him to expend excess energy while his pitch count soared.
And after Adam Dunn put the White Sox in front with a solo home run off Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin in the bottom of the fourth inning, Humber served up a 3-run shot to Carlos Santana in the top of the fifth.
"I'm not going to use that as an excuse," Humber said of the new baby and perfect game. "It's definitely been different, but there are things other guys have to go through and handle. You have to find a way to focus on what you're doing. That hasn't been an issue.
"I've been ready every game, got my work in and focused on giving the team a good effort and getting us a win. It's been hectic, but I haven't been pitching well the last couple of times. I have to get back to the basics. And if I do, things will get better."
In his first start after the perfect game, Humber gave up 9 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks over 5 innings in a loss to Boston last Thursday.
Wednesday's outing against the Indians was not much better.
After Alexei Ramirez's 2-run single tied the game in the fifth, the Indians came back to win with 3 runs against the White Sox' bullpen.
Humber blamed himself for the loss.
"I keep putting myself in situations where I've got to make a great pitch," he said. "Early in the game and I've thrown a lot of pitches and I'm showing their guys all my stuff. And I feel like to be successful I have to get back to the basics of attacking the zone and putting the pressure on their hitters.
"I have to let our guys have chances to make plays because our defense is really good and I'm not taking advantage of that right now. And as a result of not going deep in ballgames, I'm putting pressure on our bullpen."
sgregor@dailyherald.com