Sale, Chicago White Sox get back on winning track

Chris Sale is a premier starting pitcher, but as the Chicago White Sox have been saying the past 10 days or so, he is not a machine.

"I think he has been so elite for so long that when he has these sort of humanlike outings, which are going to happen over the course of 32, 33 starts, it's a mild cause for alarm, when in reality it's just because our expectations of him are so high," general manager Rick Hahn said.

Taking the mound against the Angels on Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field after giving up 14 runs on 18 hits and 4 walks in 10⅓ innings over his last 2 starts, Sale was back to his old self in the Sox' 8-2 victory.

The ace left-hander pitched 7⅓ innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits. He had 7 strikeouts.

"You didn't want to let that last too long," Sale said.

While many wondered if Sale was hurt while getting roughed up the last two times out, manager Robin Ventura said it was more a matter of opposing hitters sitting on early fastballs and avoiding the nasty sliders and changeups.

Sale mixed up his repertoire against Los Angeles and was in complete control.

"It was a nice night for him," Ventura said after the White Sox (52-58) snapped a three-game losing streak. "He was throwing hard, but it didn't look like he was maxing out. With him, you don't want to sit around and wait for the slider or changeup. You have to adjust and I think he did a good job of that tonight."

Getting plenty of run support helped Sale win his 10th game of the season.

Powered by Avisail Garcia's 2 home runs and 4 RBI, the Sox rolled out to a 7-0 lead and won for just the third time in their last 10 at home.

After failing to hit a homer in 46 straight games, Garcia has hit 4 in his last 6.

"It's part of the maturity process," Ventura said. "It didn't happen right away, but I think he's starting to understand. He's still young and he's still learning."

Garcia has been working on his swing and his weight shift at the plate, and it's paying off.

"I'm using my top hands more," he said. "I've been working on that. Today, I feel a little bit better. I come here every day and try to get better and try to get my swing back."

Welcome back:

Hector Santiago, who pitched for the White Sox from 2011-13 before being sent to the Angels in a three-way deal for Adam Eaton, was happy Monday to be back at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I got here early and went over there and talked to (Nate) Jones," Santiago said. "Jones was like one of the main guys when I got here; we kind of came up together.

"I was in the training room hanging out, talked to (John) Danks, (Chris) Sale and all those guys. Robin (Ventura) came in. All around, like coming home a little bit. Obviously, I'm an enemy now, but when you go in there you feel like you're family."

Santiago starts for Los Angeles on Tuesday night and opposes Carlos Rodon.