Shuck steps up for injury-plagued White Sox

Center fielder Austin Jackson went down with a knee injury in early June.

Left fielder Melky Cabrera went down with the a sprained wrist earlier this week.

Fortunately for the Chicago White Sox, J.B. Shuck has stepped up.

Shuck is getting the chance to play on a regular basis due to the injuries, and he's making the most of it.

In Thursday afternoon's 6-5 win over the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field, Shuck matched his career high with 3 hits, and his RBI single in the eighth inning decided the outcome.

"Growing up as a kid, you always play the bottom-of-the-ninth scenario, so it's fun to get an opportunity to do it and come through," Shuck said. "It's a big win for the team, and to help out is fun."

Over his last five games, Shuck is 8-for-18 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI.

"It's understanding I'm going to get some at-bats, so I can relax a little bit and get back to putting together good at-bats," Shuck said.

After starting slowly and being optioned to Class AAA Charlotte on April 18, Shuck has been invaluable since returning to the Sox on May 30.

"He's been playing great," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think getting multiple at-bats consistently has really helped his swing. He was always a good pinch-hitter but when you put him in there he would sputter a little bit. I think right now, he's been swinging it great. This is good for him and good for us at the same time."

A for Anderson:

Tim Anderson continued to excel out of the leadoff spot Thursday, going 3-for-4 while boosting his batting average to .314.

The rookie shortstop has 10 multihit efforts in 19 games with the White Sox.

"I'm excited to come in and help the team win and have fun with it," Anderson said. "I'm really enjoying it."

In addition to making a standout defensive play to rob Minnesota's Trevor Plouffe in the second inning, Anderson drew his first walk with the Sox in the fourth.

"I was pretty pumped about it," said Anderson, who didn't walk in his first 85 plate appearances. "A very exciting moment for me. It was kind of like when I got my first hit. It just comes with as I grow and mature. More walks will come."

Robertson rolling:

Closer David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth inning against Minnesota to pick up his 21st save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 11 opportunities.

"I felt like I had a good breaking ball today," Robertson said. "My fastball command wasn't great, I got away with a few pitches that were kind of up over the middle, and that's just part of it. Luckily, those balls didn't get hit."