Chicago White Sox's Quintana thrilled to be an all-star
After being named to his fifth straight American League all-star team last week, Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale said snubbed rotation mate Jose Quintana deserved to pitch in his first All-Star Game.
"If you compare him and I and put our numbers back to back, you would probably have a hard time figuring out who is who, honestly, other than wins and losses," Sale said. "There's not a doubt in my mind he'll be there one day."
The day came Sunday, when American League manager Ned Yost added Quintana to the AL team after Cleveland's Danny Salazar was scratched with a sore elbow.
Due to the worst run support in the league (3.00 runs per start), Quintana has a 7-8 record.
But the 27-year-old lefty is tied for second in the league with 12 quality starts, he ranks fourth with 117⅔ innings and is sixth with a 3.21 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
Manager Robin Ventura told Quintana he was heading to the All-Star Game in San Diego shortly before the Sox played the Atlanta Braves.
"When Robin talked to me, I couldn't believe that," Quintana said. "I told Sale we're going to have some fun. It's a goal for players, making it to the All-Star Game. I'm so happy, so happy. All my preparation and work, to get that, it's really exciting for me."
Quintana was planning on staying in Chicago with his wife, Michelle, and daughter Ariana during the break.
"Now, we'll go fly to San Diego," Quintana said. "The change is good. I'm so excited to go to the All-Star Game. It was one of my goals for this year. We'll try to go out there and win and come back better and stronger. I'm really excited for this opportunity."
Not surprisingly, the entire White Sox organization was excited for Quintana.
"Well deserved," starter James Shields said. "Josey, he works as hard as anybody in the league. He's such a good guy, a good dude. He has been really, really good all season long. Unfortunately, he hasn't had the run support we would like him to have. But I'm so happy for him."
Beck demoted:
After Sunday's loss to Atlanta, the White Sox optioned relief pitcher Chris Beck to Class AAA Charlotte.
They'll make a corresponding roster move before Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels, when the second half of the season begins.
In six games with the Sox, Beck allowed 6 earned runs in 6⅔ innings.
Local flavor:
Jack Aiello, who attracted national attention for impersonating national politicians during his eighth-grade graduation ceremony at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights last month, was a pregame guest of the Sox on Sunday.