Chicago White Sox winning streak over at 4 games
Heading into Sunday's game against the Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox' pitching staff was on quite a roll.
During a four-game winning streak, Sox pitchers allowed only 4 earned runs in 38 innings, which translates to a 0.95 ERA.
The torch was passed Sunday to Carlos Rodon, and the numbers say he dropped it.
But after the rookie left-hander lasted just 5 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks in a 9-1 loss to Baltimore, manager Robin Ventura put more blame on a defense that committed 4 errors.
"Defensively, you can go down the list," Ventura said.
Offensively, the White Sox were listless again. An inability to consistently score runs remains the biggest enigma in a season that has sputtered since Game 1.
"You know, it's tough to win 2-1 every night," Ventura said. "We're going to have to start putting up some crooked numbers in the run column to be able to sustain anything."
The Sox were riding a four-game win streak, but they had to settle for a 2-1 decision in 11 innings, a 1-0 win and a 3-2 win Saturday. They also blew out the Cardinals 7-1 Wednesday.
While the pitching staff has stepped up, the offense is still a huge problem and ranks last in the major leagues with 271 runs scored.
"You have to be able to score runs to win games," Ventura said. "It just puts too much on the pitching staff to feel like they have to go out every night and win 1-0. Offensively, we've got to start knocking in some guys when they're in scoring position.
"You've got to be able to do that. You have to be able to get them on there and keep them moving around the bases."
Playing clean defense is even more vital when a team is not hitting, but Sunday started out bad for the White Sox when third baseman Connor Gillaspie made 2 errors on one groundball in the first inning.
Nolan Reimold was the beneficiary of Gillaspie's sloppy play and he came home with an unearned run when Adam Jones followed with a double.
Reliever Dan Jennings and second baseman Carlos Sanchez made errors later in the game.
Rodon blamed himself for not picking Gillaspie up early.
"Those things happen," Rodon said. "That's baseball. I've played baseball since I was three or four years old and I'd say it happens at all levels. Even the greats make errors. It happens. You've got to bear down, you've got to get guys out, pick up your teammates."
Rodon figures to improve as he goes along, and one goal is better staying power. In 10 starts, Rodon has pitched into the seventh inning just one time.
"That's something I've been wanting to do for a little while now, after a couple starts," he said. "It's tough when you throw a lot of pitches and it's hard to stay consistent and it doesn't work out. If you walk guys, it's not going to happen. I've got to figure out the command and repeating pitches and just getting guys out early."
White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Thursday; Comcast SportsNet Plus Tuesday; WPWR Wednesday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Chris Sale (6-4) vs. Mark Buehrle (9-4) today at 7:10 p.m.; Jose Quintana (4-7) vs. Felix Doubront (0-0) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.; John Danks (4-8) vs. Drew Hutchison (8-2) Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.; Jeff Samardzija (5-4) vs. R.A. Dickey (3-9) Thursday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The series opener is a dream matchup pitting Sale vas. Buehrle, who was a standout pitcher for the White Sox from 2000-11. Sale can set a major-league record with 10 or more strikeouts in 9 straight starts. He has struck out 97 in 60 innings over his last 8 starts. Buehrle has won his last 4 decisions and has allowed only 8 earned runs over his last 43 innings. The 36-year-old lefty is 1-1 with a 3.20 ERA in 3 career starts vs. the Sox. The Blue Jays won 2 of 3 vs. the White Sox at Toronto in late May. The Jays lead the majors with 460 runs scored. The White Sox are last with 271 runs.
Next: Cubs at Wrigley Field, Friday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor