Late rally falls short as White Sox fall to Weaver, Angels
CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago White Sox had put together an unlikely ninth-inning rally. Todd Frazier hit a two-out, solo home run, then Los Angeles Angels closer Huston Street walked two in a row.
Austin Jackson, who came in hitting .186, sent a deep fly ball to left field. But Craig Gentry caught it at the base of the wall to preserve the Angels' 3-2 victory.
"It was close," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "The wind was blowing in a little bit. In the summer, it probably goes."
The White Sox, off to their best start in 10 years, came in leading the AL Central for the 12th day this season - one more than during the previous three years combined.
Despite the loss, the White Sox believe they'll be playing meaningful baseball in the summer when the ball is carrying better.
"I appreciate and like the effort in the ninth inning, being able to bring the winning run to the plate or put it on base and grind out a ninth inning," said Ventura, who has presided over three straight losing seasons. "I like that about our team."
The White Sox couldn't solve Jered Weaver (2-0), who allowed only three hits, including Melky Cabrera's solo homer in the seventh.
Mike Trout hit a two-run 419-foot homer to center off John Danks (0-3) in the fifth to put the Angels ahead to stay. Carlos Perez's squeeze bunt in the ninth provided what turned out to be the deciding run.
Street earned his fourth save in four chances, the 319th in his career, to tie Todd Jones for 18th place.
The weak link in a strong rotation for the White Sox had been Danks, who lowered his ERA from 7.94 to 6.23. The left-hander walked three over the first two innings, but got out of jams as the Angels continued to struggle.
Albert Pujols popped to shortstop with two on in first in an 0-for-4 day that left him hitless in the series and batting .148.
But Trout also singled and walked twice, and Chicago's bats couldn't do enough.
"It was a grind, for sure," Danks said. "At this point, I'm not worried about how it looks. I'm just pleased to keep us in the game. Certainly we need to be sharper than that and we will."
Weaver, trying to regain his form after hip, neck and flexibility issues, had masterful command and a mix of pitches that kept the White Sox off-balance despite a fastball that topped at 86 mph.
It came after a troubled spring in which he was throwing fastballs at 78 mph and a rough last start at Minnesota.
"Each outing he's getting better," Trout said. "Velo is coming back. He's out there hitting his spots. He's a competitor."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: LHP Tyler Skaggs (Tommy John surgery) allowed two runs, three hits and three walks 3 2/3 innings in his third rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Salt Lake. "He got his pitch count a little high, but it's definitely a step in the right direction," manager Mike Scioscia said. . Daniel Nava (knee) has been taking throws at first base, but hasn't hit yet.
White Sox: They are the only big league team without a player on the disabled list. Every other club has at least two.
GARCIA BACK
Slumping DH Avisail Garcia was back in the Chicago lineup, batting eighth, after sitting out Wednesday. He went 0 for 3 with a strikeout and is hitting .146.
UP NEXT
Angels: Their first home game in 12 days comes Friday night against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez (1-1, 1.00 ERA). Angels righty Nick Tropeano (1-0, 0.84) has allowed one run in 10 2/3 innings since being called up to replace Andrew Heaney (elbow).
White Sox: The homestand concludes with a three-game series against AL West-leading Texas. Chicago's Jose Quintana (1-1, 2.55) is to start Friday night against fellow lefty Martin Perez (0-1, 3.44).