White Sox loss marks worst home start in franchise history

Give Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria his due.

He reported for work at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday, sunny-side up.

"I'm waking up every morning," Renteria said. "I get to come to a major-league ballpark. I'm sure I'm suffering through it, like the guys are suffering through it. But every day we have a new chance to redeem ourselves.

"I'm sure it's a tough run for the fans and for everybody who is pulling for the Chicago White Sox. But we are doing everything we can to continue to move forward."

The persistence appeared to finally pay off in an interleague game against the Pirates as the Sox rolled into the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead.

"I couldn't have scripted it any better today, to be honest," Renteria said. "We did exactly what we wanted to do, had the guy to close it out and we didn't. That's it."

Nate Jones came on to close out the game for the White Sox, but he was tagged for 4 runs as Pittsburgh rallied for a 6-5 win.

At 3-15, the Sox are off to their worst start at home in franchise history. At 9-25 overall, they're off to their worst start since 1948.

With Renteria showing the way, the White Sox have their head's up and they keep on fighting, but the beating are coming fast and furious.

Jones wound up blowing the save after giving up a 2-run double to Elias Diaz and a 2-run homer to Colin Moran.

"Just didn't execute right there," Jones said. "We had some pitches in mind. I didn't execute on my part and big-league hitters do what they're supposed to do when you leave pitches up or in the zone. I paid for it."

The day wasn't a total loss as Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez pitched a career-high 7⅓ innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits.

"This kid has a special skills set," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Live was better than on tape. The fastball plays. I mean, it's high 90s, and the changeup's real. I saw him throw 98 (fastball) and an 83 (mph) changeup."

Take a seat:

Leury Garcia was pulled from the game in the bottom of the seventh inning after failing to hustle down to first base on a bunt.

"I'm sure he understood," manager Rick Renteria said. "The way we play the game, we ask our guys to give us everything they got. We made no bones about it across the board with any of our players. If you want to play for the White Sox, we are going to play the game a certain way. Give some energy and effort."

Renteria was surprised because Garcia typically gives all-out effort.

"I tell the guys if you are a Porsche, show me a Porsche unless something is bothering you," Renteria said. "If you are a Volkswagen, you are a Volkswagen. Just give me what you've got. I think that one irritated me a little bit just because of the way we go about doing it.

"I love (Garcia). I love the way he plays the game. It was one of those things. If we are not going to give effort the way I believe we should give it, and he's shown that he can, it just happened."

Delmonico hurt:

Nicky Delmonico had to leave Wednesday's game after colliding with Pirates first baseman Josh Bell in the third inning.

Bell's knee made contact with Delmonico's right thigh, and the Sox's left fielder exited with a charleyhorse.