Giolito makes early exit in White Sox's 9-3 loss to Orioles
Lucas Giolito has had better days.
As the Chicago White Sox's 23-year-old starting pitcher headed to his locker following Thursday afternoon's 9-3 loss to the Orioles at Guaranteed Rate Field, he had to alter his course to get around a pack of reporters and TV cameras blocking his path.
Giolito's day on the mound was even less pleasant.
"Not much positive," he said.
The right-hander labored through another tough outing against Baltimore, allowing 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 1⅓ innings.
Giolito dropped to 3-5 as his ERA climbed to 7.53. He's also given up 47 hits and walked 37 in 49 innings.
After Carson Fulmer allowed 8 runs on 3 hits and 5 walks in 2 innings against Texas Friday night, the Sox wisely decided to option the young starter (2-4, 8.07 ERA) to Class AAA Charlotte.
Is Giolito headed for a similar demotion?
"I don't foresee that at this particular time," manager Rick Renteria said. "I think he's just a young man who's got to continue to minimize the emotional aspect of crossing from preparation into the game. Stay focused, relaxed, and hammer the zone with strikes."
Thursday's game got away from Giolito quickly.
After the Orioles loaded the bases on a pair of hits and a walk in the first inning, Giolito issued back-to-back walks and Chance Sisco followed with a 2-run single to give Baltimore a 4-0 lead.
"I feel good physically," Giolito said. "My arm feels good, body feels good. I've been doing a lot of stuff in the gym to get some movement squared away. It's just letting the game speed get up and letting it get out of control."
Renteria is confident Giolito can control games once he slows things down.
"Giolito is high intensity," Renteria said. "Nice kid, but a high intensity young man when he gets on the mound. You might not believe it, but he's going 100 mph. I think it's more just trusting himself, trusting the process, truthfully taking it one pitch at a time.
"Don't worry about results or outcomes. Just execute. Once they start believing in that and trusting it, and I think he's shown moments of that, it's about trying to get it to be consistent over an extended period of time."
Orioles starter Dylan Bundy baffled White Sox hitters all day with his curveball. The right-hander went the distance and allowed 2 hits while piling up 14 strikeouts. Jose Rondon homered for the second straight game for the Sox, a 3-run shot in the fourth inning.
Tilson time:
Leury Garcia landed on the 10-day disabled list with a left knee sprain, and the White Sox recalled Charlie Tilson from Class AAA Charlotte to take his roster spot.
"I couldn't wait to get to this clubhouse," Tilson said.
Acquired from the Cardinals in a trade for relief pitcher Zach Duke on July 31, 2016, Tilson played in one game for the Sox that season and tore his left hamstring diving for a flyball in Detroit.
The New Trier High School product missed all of last year with fractures in his right foot and ankle.
Tilson grew up a White Sox fan, and the 25-year-old outfielder played at Guaranteed Rate Field for the first time Thursday. Starting in left and batting eighth, Tilson was 0-for-3.
"It's hard not to have butterflies," said Tilson, who batted .248 in 39 games with Charlotte. "From the moment I stepped out of the dugout, you definitely think back. Not only just in the last of couple years, but growing up in this area and watching this team. Really exciting for me.
"It's been a long road. I just couldn't be happier. I'm so thankful the people in this organization stuck by me and allowed me the time to get better."
Farquhar reunion:
Danny Farquhar is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Sox play the Brewers on June 1.
The Sox's relief pitcher is out for the season after suffering a brain hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm during an April 20 home game against the Astros.
Farquhar will be joined by his wife Lexie and his children, Madison, Landon and Liam.
"I'm very excited for that," White Sox starter Lucas Giolito said. "I've been catching first pitches all year. Hopefully I have a chance to catch his."