Rodon keeps rolling as Chicago White Sox turn back Royals
If, or when, Carlos Rodon figures out how to put a full season together, the Chicago White Sox are going to have a potential ace in their starting rotation.
As a rookie last year, Rodon had some predictable struggles early. Over his final 8 starts of the season, the left-hander was 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA.
The Sox were hoping Rodon picked up where he left off at the beginning of this season, but he had similar struggles in the first half and was 2-7 with a 4.50 ERA at the break.
Rodon has been light's out in the second half, and the 23-year-old starter was predictably strong in Friday night's outing against the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.
“Just a lot more consistent,” Rodon said after allowing 1 earned run over 6 innings and recording a season-high 9 strikeouts in the White Sox's 7-2 victory over Kansas City.
While going 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA over his last 7 starts, Rodon has mixed in more changeups and has stopped nibbling so much.
Against the Royals, catcher Omar Narvaez consistently signaled for the slider and Rodon obliged.
“Those guys are aggressive hitters, so I used that against them,” Rodon said.
With the Sox holding a 5-2 lead in the sixth inning, the Royals loaded the bases. Rodon worked out of the jam by striking out Paulo Orlando with his 116th and final pitch.
As he walked to the dugout, Rodon let out a primal scream.
“It's different between the lines,” said the normally mellow Rodon. “That's when you have to show up and be the mad dog.”
Offensively, Tyler Saladino was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI as the White Sox won their third straight.
Shields set for start:
James Shields takes the mound for the White Sox against the Royals Saturday night, his first start since Sept. 3 at Minnesota.
Shields lasted just 2⅓ innings against the Twins before exiting with a sore back, but he's feeling better after being pushed back in the rotation.
“I just want to post every five days and throw 200 innings,” Shields said. “I'm obviously not going to get (200 innings) this year for the first time in nine seasons, which is disappointing. But I guess we can start a new streak next season.”
This has been an awful season for Shields, who is 5-17 with a 6.07 ERA overall and 3-10 with a 7.50 ERA for the Sox since being acquired from San Diego in a June 4 trade.
“The bottom line is right now I'm not getting the job done and I'm not doing my job out on the mound,” Shields said. “As a player it's frustrating, there's no doubt about it.
“But I know what I'm capable of doing. I know what I've done in my career. But the fans here in Chicago only have one taste of me and that's what I've done this year. Hopefully, I finish strong here and next year will be a different story.”