Red-hot Mariners roll over Nova, Chicago White Sox
Playing their first home series against the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox starting pitchers were torched for 18 earned runs in just 11⅔ innings.
The Sox's offense picked up Reynaldo Lopez in Friday's Guaranteed Rate Field opening win, but they couldn't do the same for Lucas Giolito or Ivan Nova in the next two games.
Making his first home start for the White Sox on Sunday after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a December trade, Nova was shelled in a 12-5 loss.
"Obviously, not good," he said.
Off to a 9-2 start and leading the major leagues with 84 runs scored, give credit to Seattle for taking it to the Sox in the final two games.
But Nova could have been much better. The 32-year-old righty gave up 7 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk and was lifted with one out in the third inning.
"They were seeing the ball really well," Nova said. "I made pitches. They made me work really hard. I threw some pitches that should've gotten the (strike) call, but they didn't go my way. It was a tough day today, but we'll definitely keep fighting."
Tim Anderson sparked the Sox's offense with 4 hits, which matched a career high.
In the White Sox's 3-run seventh inning, Adam Engel homered, Jose Abreu had an RBI double and Yoan Moncada added a run-scoring single.
"I was telling one of the guys that we have to keep pumping each other up," manager Rick Renteria said. "Don't let this be something that deters them from the direction that we're all trying to get to. The reality is that it is a long season.
"We would have rather had a much better outcome over the last couple of days, but we haven't. That does not deter myself or us as a club to where we believe we're going to be moving. We'll continue to make the adjustments or work on the things that we need to in order to continue to improve."
Palka stays positive:
Daniel Palka has started the season 0-for-21 at the plate, but the White Sox's right fielder said it's way too early to fall into panic mode.
"These things just happen," Palka said. "I'm not going to dwell on it; it's going to turn around. It's not possible to go 0-for-500. I know I have some things that can help this team win. I'm just going to stay positive and keep working toward that."
Last year, Palka came from out of nowhere after being claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Among American League rookies, he tied for first with 27 home runs and was third with 67 RBI.
This season, Palka has not looked comfortable while striking out nine times.
"I've just got to be patient," he said. "I'm not someone who gets a lot of pitches to hit because of some of the successes I've had. My mentality is always like, 'I want to do it, I want to do it now.' I've just got to take a step back and be patient up there."
Santana ready to go:
He's still not on the White Sox's 25-man roster, but Ervin Santana was back in the clubhouse Sunday and is expected to make his first start Tuesday against Tampa Bay.
The Sox did clear a roster spot after Sunday's loss to Seattle, optioning outfielder Ryan Cordell to Class AAA Charlotte.
Signed to a minor-league contract Feb. 22, Santana stayed sharp by throwing 90 combined pitches in two intrasquad games at extended spring training.
"Last year I was hurt and this year I'm not," said Santana, who was limited to 5 starts with the Twins in 2018 due to a right middle finger injury. "Everything feels good."