Shields eager to get back on the mound

When a veteran pitcher like the Chicago White Sox's James Shields allows 7 runs in 2 innings in the first start with his new team, there's basically one thought on his mind:

Can we please - PLEASE - hit the fast forward button so I can get back on the mound as quickly as possible?

"I want to get back out there," the 34-year-old righty said Sunday after the Sox lost 3-1 to Kansas City at U.S. Cellular Field. "Obviously my last couple outings have been a little rough. I didn't pitch well, bottom line. I'm not one to make excuses."

Shields, whom the Sox acquired via trade on June 4, is scheduled to start Monday as the White Sox get set to take on Detroit for a three-game set.

The veteran of 330 major-league starts will be trying to erase not just that one bad outing against Washington on June 8, but also the one before that - an abysmal 8-hit, 4-walk, 10-earned run disaster at Seattle when he was still with San Diego.

White Sox catcher Alex Avila said Shields was having a tough time locating his fastball and also couldn't control his changeup against the Nationals. In the days since, Avila has talked with Shields about what made him so tough to bat against as an opponent.

"When he was in Kansas City, I faced him quite a bit," Avila said. "We talked about it a little bit and I think he's excited about being able to show what he's able to do."

Shields has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the major leagues over the past decade, throwing 200 or more innings in nine straight seasons. That's second only to Mark Buehrle (14) among active pitchers.

"He's been a very consistent pitcher over his career and a workhorse, which is a rare breed in today's game," Avila said. "A guy with that type of mentality is important to have on your team. He's been very successful and I'm excited to see over the course of the next few months him being able to give us quality starts."

This year Shields' numbers look atrocious (2-8, 5.06 ERA), but that's only because of those last 2 starts, and the fact that he was getting next to no run support with the Padres. Before allowing those 10 runs at Seattle, Shields' ERA was 3.06.

He admitted the win-loss record is tough to look at, especially when 8 of his first 10 outings were quality starts.

"Then again, I've got to outpitch the guy I'm facing," said Shields, who has won at least 13 games and posted at least a .571 winning percentage for five straight seasons. "So it's definitely been frustrating. Hopefully things will turn around."

His first chance comes Monday night against a Tigers team he has seen plenty of over his career.

"They're a good hitting team. You've got to be careful with them," Shields said. "But I've just got to go out there and pitch my game. I feel really good with my bullpen sessions, so we'll see how it goes."

James Shields by the numbers

• Threw 202⅓ innings last year with San Diego, the ninth straight year Shields threw 200-plus innings.

• Among active pitchers, only Mark Buehrle (14) has more consecutive seasons with more than 200 innings pitched.

• Won 13 or more games with at least .571 win percentage in five straight seasons.

• Had ERA of 3.91 or better in last five seasons.

• Began 2015 season with 7-0 and 3.59 ERA.

• Since that 7-0 start, has gone 8-15 with 4.50 ERA in 31 starts.

• Allowed 7 runs on 8 hits in 2-plus innings in first White Sox start (June 8).