Ranaudo impressive in first start for White Sox

Manager Robin Ventura wasn't sure what to expect from Anthony Ranaudo in his first start for the White Sox Wednesday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

When it was over, Ventura was pleasantly surprised.

"He had it going tonight," Ventura said. "The way it started out, it was maybe a little bit of nerves out there. He settled down, and the kid was fantastic. Not only pitching, but swinging the bat for us, too, so a good night for him."

Actually, Ventura and the Sox did see Ranaudo earlier in the season, when he was pitching out of the Texas Rangers' bullpen.

In a May 10 game at Texas, Ranaudo came on in relief against the White Sox and pitched 1⅓ innings. He allowed 5 runs on 5 walks. Two days later, the Sox acquired Ranaudo in a trade from the Rangers for minor-league pitcher Matt Ball.

Ranaudo has improved quite a bit since that forgettable day in May.

The 6-foot-7 right-hander made his first major-league start since June 18 of last season, when he was with the Rangers.

After pitching over 2 walks in the first inning, Ranaudo settled in and held the Cubs without a hit until Kris Bryant blasted a solo home run with one out in the sixth inning.

Ranaudo allowed only 2 hits in 6⅔ innings, the second a 2-run homer to Javy Baez. That was the last Cubs batter he faced.

Was Ranaudo surprised by his performance?

"I think I set the bar pretty high for myself," he said. "I don't want to say I knew I was going to go out there and hit a home run or throw 5 no-hit innings or whatever. But I have high expectations for myself."

Ranaudo accounted for the White Sox's lone run, a homer in the fifth inning. It was his first major-league hit, and the first time an American League pitcher has cleared the fences this season.

"I thought it was a double at first," Ranaudo said. "I thought it got stuck in the ivy and I kind of pulled up at second base. I looked back at home and realized it was a home run, from the way everybody was reacting and stuff, and I had to finish out the jog. I think it took me a little longer than I wanted it to, but it was a good experience. It was fun."

Trade talk:

The Sox have two options as Monday's trade deadline nears.

General manager Rick Hahn already has said the Sox won't be buyers, so they could be sellers if interested teams are willing to offer enough young talent.

The White Sox also can wait until the off-season if they think they can get better offers for starting pitchers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.

Pitching coach Don Cooper isn't fazed by trade rumors.

"Every year, this comes up," he said. "It's not the first time. People come and go. Trades do happen. Heck, when (Mark) Buehrle left that was a tough one because that was 10 years there.

"So if Buehrle can leave, anybody can leave. I've always said the names change, but the job doesn't."