White Sox' Petricka learning perils of closing

Finding an established closer in the off-season figures to be high on White Sox general manager Rick Hahn's priority list, but that can be easier said than done.

If Hahn can't find a proven arm, Jake Petricka might be the in-house choice to pitch the ninth inning.

Petricka has been manager Robin Ventura's preferred choice to close games since Ronald Belisario lost the job in late June. After blowing 2 of his last 3 save tries, Petricka was back at it Sunday.

The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning on a pair of walks and a single, but Petricka retired Colby Rasmus on a flyball and got Nolan Reimold to ground out while earning his ninth save in the Sox' 7-5 victory over Toronto.

"You have to go out there and make your pitches," Petricka said. "I got lucky walking consecutive batters (Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion). You can never do that. I got lucky and made the pitches after that and got the outs I needed."

Petricka has blown 3 save tries, but it's a new role and the 26-year-old reliever is learning as he goes.

"A little bit," he said. "It's really just not putting too much pressure on the situation. It's the same game of you want to put a zero up. Just put your zero up."

Rodon watch:

There is little doubt Carlos Rodon is on the fast track, and the White Sox' first-round pick in the June amateur draft already is at Class AAA Charlotte after pitching in just nine games with the Arizona Rookie League White Sox and high Class A Winston-Salem.

Much like Chris Sale in 2010, Rodon is positioned to join the Sox in September, most likely as a relief pitcher. The 21-year-old lefty could be in the starting rotation next season.

Manager Robin Ventura has his hands full with the White Sox' 25-man roster, but he did not discount seeing Rodon next month.

"If he's doing well enough to come up here, yeah," Ventura said. "If he's available and he's ready to go, he's ready to go. I would like to see it, but he's got to be ready to go."

Dunn done?

Designated hitter Adam Dunn told mlb.com he is contemplating retirement at the end of the season, when his four-year contract with the Sox expires.

Dunn, 34, has had a disappointing run on the South Side, but he probably could latch on with another major-league team in 2015 if he decides to keep playing.

"I think that's always a tough decision for guys," manager Robin Ventura said. "When they get where he's at and Paul (Konerko) and all those guys that are of age, you get close and you might see the end. You don't know.

"It's a tough decision. This is something he's done most of his adult life. It's important. It's still fun. You just never know. I've also heard guys talk that way and end up playing five more years."