Hamilton line drive knocks Noesi out of Game 1
Anyway you look at it, Hector Noesi is off to a tough start.
Going into Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds, Noesi was 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA.
The right-hander didn't last long, exiting the game with two outs in the second inning after being hit by a Billy Hamilton line drive. Noesi is day to day with a contusion on his lower back.
"It got him in a good spot," manager Robin Ventura said. "It tightened up on him."
If Noesi has to miss his next turn, Carlos Rodon is an obvious replacement option.
So is Scott Carroll, who relieved Noesi in Game 1 and pitched 4 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits.
"We were just watching it from the bullpen and then I saw as soon as he got hit, I started warming up," Carroll said. "A few minutes went by and they said (Noesi) was going to go. It was the first time I've had to do that."
Carroll fared pretty well in a tough situation, and he kept the White Sox in the game until the Reds scored 7 runs in the ninth inning to seal the outcome.
"Scotty came in and filled in great," Ventura said. "When Hector goes out you're trying to steal some innings and keep it close, and Scotty did a good job of doing that."
Flowers floundering:
Tyler Flowers started Game 1 on Saturday and was 0-for-3 with 3 strikeouts. Over his last 12 games, the Sox' No. 1 catcher is 3-for-36 with 14 strikeouts.
Flowers' batting average has dipped to .179, and he has thrown out just one basestealer in 15 attempts.
No flow:
The White Sox' strange schedule continued with Saturday's doubleheader, the result of Friday's rainout. The Sox still have to make up a home rainout with the Royals as part of a July 17 doubleheader.
They'll also play a May 28 doubleheader at Baltimore to make up a pair of games that were postponed due to civil unrest in the city.
The White Sox had four regularly scheduled days off over the first five weeks of the season.
"It makes it a little more difficult," manager Robin Ventura said. "Even looking at just the rhythm of it and getting extra guys in there, it's harder to sit there and insert a guy here or there because we are still trying to find our way with the regulars. That's the part that kind of sets you back."
Big night for Anderson:
Top prospect Tim Anderson hit for the cycle Saturday night.
Batting leadoff for Class AA Birmingham, the shortstop tripled in the first inning, singled in the fourth, doubled in the sixth and hit a home run in the seventh inning.
Beck gets the call:
Rosters can expand to 26 for the second game of doubleheaders, so the Sox purchased the contract of Class AAA Charlotte right-hander Chris Beck Saturday.
Beck is 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA in 5 starts with the Knights this season.