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White Sox Quintana puts stamp on stellar season

Jose Quintana didn't win his final start of the year Thursday night, but his season was far from a total loss.

Taking the mound against Tampa Bay at U.S. Cellular Field, Quintana (13-12) allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings in the White Sox's 5-3 loss to the Rays 5-3. The game was delayed by rain for 35 minutes in the ninth inning.

For the season, Quintana reached career bests in wins, ERA (3.20), innings pitched (208) and strikeouts (181). The quiet left-hander also made his first trip to the All-Star Game.

"I think my preparation was better this year," Quintana said. "I tried to keep the ball down, especially in this park. I try to get better and better and help my team win."

Quintana certainly did his part, but the Sox (77-82) are three games away from their fourth straight losing season.

Trailing 5-1 in the seventh inning, Carlos Sanchez pulled the White Sox closer with a 2-run homer. Never known for his power, Sanchez has 4 home runs in his last 11 games.

Sale going Sunday:

After facing the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday and allowing 3 runs in 7 innings, it sure looked like Chris Sale had made his last start of the season - and possibly last ever for the White Sox.

While improving his record to 17-9 with the win over Tampa Bay, Sale kept his flickering Cy Young Award hopes alive. He also ran his innings pitched total to 221⅔, a career high. Given the workload, Sale was not expected to stay on schedule and start Sunday afternoon's final game against the Minnesota Twins.

On Thursday, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Sale is indeed going to be on the mound.

"I think at first you can look at it like he doesn't necessarily have to throw," Ventura said. "But I think he wants to throw and that's a good sign. He's motivated to throw and just to go do it. We're not doing it for numbers or anything, but he wants to throw. I think that's part of his commitment to being a teammate and all that stuff."

Saladino done for season:

When Brett Lawrie went down for the season in late July with a leg injury that still hasn't been fully disclosed, Tyler Saladino took over at second base and was a .300 hitter. Saladino also put himself in the mix for a starting job next year, but his current season is over.

"Tyler is pretty stiff," manager Robin Ventura said. "His back hasn't necessarily responded as well as we'd like. He's not going to play the rest of the year. He definitely would have been a DL situation if it was back during the year. We've got to figure out a way to get him right before he heads home."

Saladino last played on Sept. 21 at Philadelphia. He also missed four games in August with a back issue.

"I think any time you talk about a back, you worry about making sure you take care of it and you treat and do everything you need to do to be ready for spring training, just because it usually takes a while with a back to do that," Ventura said. "We're being very careful."

White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus today; WGN Saturday; Comcast SportsNet Sunday

Radio: WLS 890-AM

Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Carlos Rodon (8-1) vs. Tyler Duffey (9-11) today at 7:10 p.m.; James Shields (6-18) vs. Hector Santiago (12-10) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Chris Sale (17-9) vs. TBA Sunday at 2:10 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox close out the regular season against the Twins, who entered Thursday's play with the most losses (102) in major-league baseball. The Sox are 11-5 vs. Minnesota this season (5-1 at home). Rodon is coming off the best start of his career. Facing the Indians at Cleveland Sunday, Rodon pitched 8 scoreless innings and matched his career high with 11 strikeouts. The Twins are the only team in the American League with an ERA over 5.00.

- Scot Gregor

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