Chicago White Sox pitcher Colome proves he can handle big challenge
It took Alex Colome a whopping 40 pitches to lock down the White Sox's 7-4 victory at Kansas City on Friday.
He walked a pair of batters and allowed 2 hits in an extended outing that would shut down most closers for at least one day.
But Colome is not most closers. So there he was again Saturday, taking the mound to preserve a 5-3 victory over the Royals.
Colome told coaches that he felt fine after Friday's outing, so manager Rick Renteria felt confident in sending the 31-year-old out for a second straight night.
"I guess that's part of what we have to do, right?" Renteria said when asked how you know when a player is being completely honest. "Reading our people, understanding them.
"By the same token we also have to use our common sense and our experience. ... That's just part of the gig. You have to be able to distinguish what's best for the young man and the team at a particular moment."
Colome had 30 saves for the Sox last season and has 9 this year. He's allowed just 2 earned runs in 15⅔ innings for a minuscule 1.15 ERA.
"I'm always positive," Colome said when asked how he stays mentally strong after such a long outing the day before. "I always fill my mind with positive thoughts and every time I'm ... on the mound, I'm just enjoying that moment.
"I'm focused on that particular moment. That's a key for me."
Big day:
Yolmer Sanchez, who was cut by the Giants organization on August 21 and signed a minor-league contract with the Sox days later, went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 2 walks in the Sox' 8-2 victory over Kansas City on Sunday.
Manager Rick Renteria gave Yoan Moncada the day off and inserted Sanchez into the ninth spot in the order.
"When the Giants said they don't have a plan for me, I asked for my release," said Sanchez, who played the previous six seasons with the Sox and tied for the AL lead in triples in 2018 with 10. "Definitely the White Sox we had been talking (with) since last year. This was the best option, so that's why I came back.
"It definitely helps that you know everybody here. You feel like home. So it was an easy decision."
In 2019, Sanchez hit .252 with a .318 on-base percentage and had 20 doubles, 43 RBI and 59 runs scored.
Around the horn:
Tim Anderson led off all four games against the Royals with hits. ... RHP Jimmy Cordero made his team-leading 20th appearance, relieving Dallas Keuchel in the sixth inning. Cordero allowed 2 hits in the sixth, but got Ryan McBroom looking to end the threat. Cordero was pulled after allowing a leadoff single in the seventh.