Jimenez, Giolito a dynamic duo in White Sox's 10-2 win over Yankees
Lucas Giolito has earned every blaring headline he's been getting since early May, but a Chicago White Sox teammate managed to bump him off the front page Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
In front of an appreciative crowd of 31,438, Giolito remained on top of his game while becoming the first 10-game winner in the majors.
Eloy Jimenez took his growing game to another level.
In the Sox's 10-2 romp over the Yankees, Jimenez delivered a pair of 3-run homers and showed why he is considered to be one of the top young hitters in the game.
"I think he's been kind of chipping away," manager Rick Renteria said. "This is a very strong young man. It doesn't seem like he's doing it with a whole lot of effort. It's just a good swing, barrel to the baseball, he's able to drive the ball.
"As he continues to learn and adapt and adjust, I expect he's going to become one of the those guys that everybody looks at as a fierce hitter, someone to be reckoned with."
In only 44 games with the White Sox, Jimenez has hit 11 home runs. The rookie also has three 2-homer games.
"I feel more patient at the plate," Jimenez said. "I'm seeing the ball better because I don't rush anything. I just go into the game and if it happens, it happens. I feel really good. I'm starting to enjoy more the game and now you see the results."
Over his last six games, Jimenez has hit 5 home runs.
"Man, he's a beast," Giolito said. "He's coming into his own a little bit. They've been pitching him like a 10-year vet ever since he got into the league, but I think he's starting to dial in on his approach and he's showing the power a little bit."
Giolito (10-1) wasn't as sharp as he's been against New York, but the right-hander still managed to win his ninth straight decision after allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 4 walks in 6 innings.
Giving up a home run to Luke Voit in the first inning ended Giolito's streak of 22 scoreless.
"I called it a grinder game," Giolito said. "I didn't feel great. There were spurts where I was in sync and everything was coming out right and then I would kind of regress. Just a little off, but got through it, grinded through six, went out there for the seventh and Juan (Minaya) was able to come in and pick me. That was all we needed."
With the victory over New York, the Sox have reached the .500 mark. For a team that lost 100 games last year and hasn't had a winning season since 2012, that is something to celebrate.
"We've been climbing," Giolito said after lowering his ERA to 2.22. "We've playing better baseball, more consistent baseball. We're playing really well at home, which is huge. I'm happy.
"I'm happy we're at .500. It's kind of like a turning point and we just keep going from there."