Rodon, Cease pitch White Sox to sweep of Tigers
The Royals' Danny Duffy might have something to say about it, but Carlos Rodon looks like a winner when it comes to American League Pitcher of the Month honors for April.
The White Sox's left-hander continued his eye-opening comeback Thursday in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.
In the Sox's 3-1 win over Detroit in the opener, Rodon improved his record to 4-0 after allowing 1 run on 2 hits and striking out 12 over 6 innings. His ERA actually increased, from 0.47 to 0.72, but it was another impressive performance to open the season.
"What a lift he's given us," manager Tony La Russa said.
In Game 2, Dylan Cease followed Rodon's lead with another strong start and the White Sox beat the Tigers 11-0.
Cease pitched a 7-inning complete game and retired the last 17 Detroit hitters he faced. He also has 9 strikeouts and a clear head on the mound.
"I'm not going to get too high or too low, but that's definitely more of what we're looking for," Cease said. "Focus on what's most important, executing my pitches. My mechanics felt great and I'm happy with the way it turned out."
Leury Garcia had 2 RBI in Game 1 and he drove in another 3 runs in the nightcap.
Feeling strong after recovering from shoulder surgery in 2017 and Tommy John surgery in 2019, Rodon is gaining more and more confidence in every start.
Duffy (3-1, 0.39 ERA) has been great for Kansas City, but Rodon's held opposing hitters to a .085 batting average (7-for-82), he has 36 strikeouts in 25 innings and he pitched a no-hitter against the Indians on April 14.
"It definitely feels good," Rodon said of his memorable month. "I put a lot of work in to do what we've done thus far. Just try to keep building to the next start now."
When he was drafted No. 3 overall by the Sox in 2014, Rodon was already armed with a plus fastball and wipeout slider. He's added an effective changeup, and the pitch was on prominent display against the Tigers in Game 1.
"Being the third pitch, I think it's pretty good, maybe hopefully getting to elite here with it," Rodon said of the changeup. "I think it gets early outs and it gets some swings and misses."
Robert returns:
Luis Robert was back in the lineup for the White Sox in Game 2. The center fielder missed Tuesday's game vs. Detroit with flu-like symptoms.
"I wasn't overly concerned because I already had COVID," said Robert, who contracted the coronavirus during the off-season. "I feel much better. I don't have any headache or fever or anything. The only thing is I think my body is a little lethargic, but I think that's because the last few days have been in bed most of the time."