With Robertson unavailable, Jones saves White Sox

It was the eighth inning of Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves, and the Chicago White Sox were clinging to a 5-4 lead.

Zach Duke got the first out of the eighth, and all was good in Sox Land.

But when Robin Ventura pulled Duke and called on Matt Albers, who has been ineffective since May, the critics came out on social media.

As usual, they questioned Ventura's competence and his job status.

Why not replace Duke with Nate Jones?

Well, Ventura did go to Jones after Albers gave up a double to Chase d'Arnaud, got Gordon Beckham to ground out and intentionally walked Freddie Freeman.

And Jones did his job, striking out Nick Markakis to end the threat.

When the ninth inning rolled around with the White Sox still hanging on, Jones was back on the mound and he pitched out of a bases-loaded jam to save a 5-4 win over the Braves at U.S. Cellular Field.

Has Ventura been guilty of making some mistakes with his relief pitchers during his four-plus seasons in the Sox's dugout? Without a doubt, but good luck finding a major-league manager who hasn't frequently pushed the wrong bullpen button.

Ventura had to ride Jones to a four-out save because closer David Robertson (high left leg strain) was unavailable.

"He came in and his leg was bothering him a little bit (Friday)," Ventura said of Robertson. "He was unavailable today, as far as just thinking it would get worse if you put him out there. Chances of him in there tomorrow aren't very good, either.

"The bullpen guys knew that coming into the game so everybody was kind of aware where they were going to be as far as coming in and matching up. They did a good job."

Robertson injured his leg earlier in the week.

"I felt it the night after I pitched against New York," said Robertson, who faced the Yankees on Wednesday. "It was just a little sore and I had some discomfort. We got an MRI to be safe. It showed mild and it's just in a bad spot. It's making it tough for me to pitch right now because I can't move that well. Doctors are saying a couple of days, so I'm thinking right after the all-star break I'll be ready to roll."

Viva Colombia:

Saturday's game marked the first time in history that two Colombian born starters squared off in a major-league game. The White Sox's Jose Quintana opposed the Braves' Julio Teheran.

"Teheran is my friend, and we have a good relationship," Quintana said. "I enjoyed this game, and I take the win. A lot of Colombians were here for this game. That's never happened. That's good for my country. I think we have better baseball now and I'm really proud for that."

Quintana (7-8) got the win after pitching 6 innings and allowing 4 runs on 5 hits.

Stay hot:

Todd Frazier sparked the White Sox's offense Saturday with a 2-run homer in the second inning and a run-scoring double in the third.

Over his last 10 games, the third baseman is batting .342 (13-for-38) with 4 homers and 8 RBI.

"I feel stronger," said Frazier, who will try to defend his Home Run Derby title Monday in San Diego. "I feel more relaxed, a little quicker swing. For me, it's hitting good pitches. I say this all the time, if I'm swinging outside the zone I'm going to have some trouble. I feel really good at the plate right now."

Smooth Sale?

In his last start before Tuesday's All-Star Game, Chris Sale was roughed up for 8 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings during Friday night's 11-8 loss to Atlanta. The Sox's lefty ace also allowed a career-high 7 extra-base hits, including 3 home runs.

Over his last 56⅔ innings, Sale has given up 35 earned runs on 65 hits (12 homers), but he said injury or fatigue are not factors.

"I feel as good as I've ever felt," said Sale, the White Sox's only all-star. "I feel strong, I feel like I have juice left. Just get my work in and keep grinding."