Samardzija, White Sox edge Twins to end three-game losing skid
Already ill-tempered thanks to 3 straight losses to the Indians, White Sox fans at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday night probably felt like hitting the exits early after Jeff Samardzija got off to a start that was all kinds of shaky.
Samardzija ran the count full on the first four Twins hitters that came to the plate and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits to put the Sox in an early hole.
"I have always known as long as I've been pitching that you have to get that first inning and get out of there unscathed," Samardzija said. "Those things happen. They had a couple hits, found some grass and we got out of it with two and went from there. With this offense we have I know I have to battle every inning and we're going to have a chance to win."
The White Sox' offense was far from fearsome in the four-game series against Cleveland to open the homestand, generating 8 total runs.
But the bats came through with just enough support and Samardzija got into an extended groove in the Sox' 3-2 win over Minnesota.
Samardzija (4-2) retired 17 straight hitters after the rocky first inning and got the win. He pitched 8 innings and allowed 3 hits while striking out a season-high nine.
To put it mildly, Samardzija got stronger as the game progressed.
"The last inning, he was throwing 95, 96 (mph)," Twins right fielder Torii Hunter said. "What the heck. That's a football player from Notre Dame."
Samardzija was a standout wide receiver for the Fighting Irish during his collegiate days, but now he is an established major-league pitcher.
In his last 2 starts, both wins, Samardzija has pitched 16 innings and allowed 5 runs on 11 hits while striking out 14.
"The last two times out I felt really good," Samardzija said. "Me and Coop (pitching coach Don Cooper) made some adjustments in what we're doing, just trying to keep me back and not so aggressive all the time. But understand when you need to add and understand when you need to subtract. I feel good and my pitches are in the zone, which is the most important thing."
The Sox rallied back to tie the game on Geovany Soto's 2-run double, and J.B. Shuck decided the outcome with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
Garcia out:
Avisail Garcia was a late scratch with inflammation in his right knee. The White Sox' right fielder has been dealing with the discomfort since Sunday.
"You just have to be patient and hopefully tomorrow feels better because I want to play," Garcia said. "I don't want to be in the training room. I came here to compete, I came here to play baseball, and I hate to be in the training room."
Kid gloves:
Rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon was scheduled to start at Toronto on Monday, but he'll skip the turn.
Hector Noesi, who Rodon replaced in the rotation, gets the start against the Blue Jays.
"We'll be able to give Rodon that time to give him a stretch where you can give him that rest," manager Robin Ventura said.
Ventura also said Scott Carroll is likely to get a start when the Sox play a makeup doubleheader at Baltimore Thursday.