Chicago White Sox add 4 to expanded roster
Until they are mathematically eliminated, the Chicago White Sox are focused on putting a long winning streak together, jumping the five teams in front of them and claiming the final wild-card spot.
The Sox didn't help their cause Tuesday night, losing to the Twins 8-6 at Target Field.
White Sox Chris Sale ace had another tough outing against Minnesota, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits in 6⅓ innings while striking out 10.
Trailing 4-0, the Sox rallied and took a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning on Avisail Garcia's 2-run homer.
The Twins answered back, tying the game in the seventh on Miguel Sano's home run before scoring 3 runs in the eighth inning on 2 hits and errors by relief pitcher Zach Duke and third baseman Tyler Saladino.
The Sox are going to need all the help they can get down the stretch, and they got some Tuesday.
With 25-man rosters eligible to expand in September, the White Sox called up four players - starting pitcher Erik Johnson, catcher Rob Brantly and infielder/outfielder Leury Garcia from Class AAA Charlotte and starter Frankie Montas from AA Birmingham.
Let's take a closer look:
Erik Johnson:
The 25-year-old pitcher is a familiar name.
Johnson was a September call-up two years ago and he made a strong impression while going 3-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 5 starts.
The right-hander was back in the Sox' starting rotation when the 2014 season opened, but he wasn't the same pitcher.
Before being optioned back to Charlotte, Johnson was 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA. After going 5-7 with a 6.73 ERA in 20 starts at Triple-A, the White Sox' second-round draft pick in 2011 was widely written off.
Johnson bounced back big this season and was voted International League pitcher of the year after going 11-8 with a 2.37 ERA. He led the IL in ERA, strikeouts (136) and WHIP (1.12).
While it looks like Johnson is initially going to pitch out of the bullpen in his third tour with the Sox, he should get another shot at starting.
And, if Jeff Samardzija exits as a free agent at the end of the season as expected, Johnson is an obvious replacement candidate.
Rob Brantly:
Claimed off waivers from Miami in December, Brantly opened the season at Birmingham and hit .325 in 30 games before being promoted to Charlotte, where he hit .291 in 23 games.
Brantly, who played in 98 games with the Marlins in 2012-13, is likely auditioning for a backup job with the White Sox for next season.
Leury Garcia:
He is versatile and has good speed, but Garcia is a utility player at best going forward.
Frankie Montas:
Erik Johnson had a great season at Charlotte, but Montas is considered the Sox' best pitching prospect.
The 22-year-old righty has a power arm and was 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA and 8.68 strikeouts per 9 innings at Birmingham this year.
Along with Johnson, Montas is a prime candidate to start for the Sox in 2016.