Keuchel 'getting there' after standout start vs. Reds

The White Sox's 1-0 loss to the Reds Wednesday will be remembered for manager Tony La Russa not being aware of a new rule involving free runners in extra innings.

Dallas Keuchel's start against Cincinnati was too good to forget.

Coming into the game with a 4.65 ERA after 6 uneven starts in April, the Sox's left-hander pitched 7 scoreless innings against the Reds and allowed 2 hits and 3 walks to go with 1 strikeout.

"I feel like I'm getting there," Keuchel said. "It will take some time, because I had all off-season to get my legs under me, get my body ready. Taking it slow in spring training has kind of hindered my pitchability with two strikes and putting guys away. Early contact is fine because it keeps the pitch count low but when you get in those deep counts sometimes you really need a good pitch to end the at-bat.

"It seems right now, I'm not doing that good enough. That's where I've been hard on myself. I need to make better two-strike pitches. I'm hoping mid-May or the next start, I'll be there. It's trending in the right direction."

Besides the loss, Keuchel regretted hitting Joey Votto with a pitch in the fourth inning. The Reds' star first baseman is out at least three weeks with a fractured left thumb.

"It was a changeup, it had some good action and it ran in farther than I wanted it to," Keuchel said. "Not trying to hit Joey by any means. We need Joey in the game and it's a joy to pitch against him. I was very mad at myself for that instance and I wish him well."