CHICAGO (AP) — Chris Sale was dominant for much of Wednesday night, though the left-hander believes the key to his success was how he handled the one stretch where he struggled.
Sale allowed three runs in seven innings to become the first 11-game winner in the majors, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
He survived a shaky third inning in which he allowed all three runs and five of the six hits he surrendered.
"I tried to keep my emotions in check. There was a lot of ballgame left," said Sale, who was 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in his previous four starts. "Sometimes you get out there and get frustrated.
"That's a hard enough team that can beat you by themselves. You don't want to help them out. So just focus and try to get back on."
Sale (11-2) allowed just two baserunners in his final four innings. He threw a season-high 119 pitches, giving a tired Chicago bullpen much-needed rest.
Nate Jones worked a perfect eighth inning and David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances.
Rookie Tim Anderson, who was moved into the leadoff spot on Monday, had three hits and three runs scored, and Todd Frazier drove in the go-ahead run as Chicago won two of three in the series between AL Central rivals.
Jose Iglesias had a two-run home run for the Tigers. Mike Pelfrey (1-7) allowed four runs in six innings.
"He had a couple of leadoff walks, but he pitched well, though," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "His velocity was good. He got ground balls, got a couple of double plays. He certainly kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win."
After the potent Detroit offense battered Chicago starters early and often in the first two games of the series, Sale looked to restore order and retired the first six batters as the White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by Melky Cabrera.
But then the Tigers started the third with four straight hits, including Iglesias' homer, to take a 2-1 lead. The advantage grew to 3-1 later in the inning on a two-out, run-scoring single by Nick Castellanos following an intentional walk to Miguel Cabrera.
Detroit might have scored more, but James McCann, who led off the third with a double, was thrown out at the plate by center fielder J.B. Shuck for the first out while trying to score on a single by Mike Aviles.
Sale settled down from there.
Chicago pushed across single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, on RBI ground outs by Brett Lawrie and Adam Eaton, to tie it at 3. Frazier added a sacrifice fly in the seventh to put the White Sox on top 4-3, and put Sale in line for the win.
Anderson led off the seventh with a single and advanced to third on a ground-rule double by Eaton.
Chicago added an insurance run in the eighth on a RBI triple by Schuck.
"You put your guys in a hole and they get you out of it and get you a win as well," Sale said. "It's huge taking a series before going on the road. Hopefully that gives us a boost."
MISSED SALE
Victor Martinez, who sat out his third straight game with a balky right knee, is 18 for 36 with four homers and nine RBIs against Sale. Ausmus said he wasn't tempted to put Martinez in the lineup, even though he pinch hit in the ninth inning.
"We need Victor for the entire season," Ausmus said. "Unfortunately, one of the days he needs to have off is against someone he's done pretty well against."
ONLY THE BEST
Iglesias has two homers on the season, off Sale and Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: OF Cameron Maybin was back in the lineup after sitting out Tuesday to rest his left wrist. He broke it in spring training and it still gives him occasional pain.
UP NEXT
Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (6-5, 3.77 ERA) pitches the opener of a four-game at Kansas City on Thursday night. LHP Danny Duffy (2-1, 2.94) goes for the Royals.
White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana (5-7, 2.66 ERA) looks to snap a six-game losing streak Friday night against Indians RHP Trevor Bauer (4-2, 3.69) in the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland. Quintana has received a total of four runs of support in his last six starts.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Blackhawks make waves on Wednesday
The Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday acquired a second-round pick (50th overall) in the 2016 National Hockey League Draft and a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forwards Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen.
Bickell, 30, has notched 65 goals and adding 70 assists in 384 games with the Blackhawks, spanning nine seasons. A member of the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup championship teams, he was the Blackhawks' second-round selection (41st overall) in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Teravainen, 21, recently completed his third NHL season—all with the Blackhawks—and has collected 17 goals and 27 assists in 115 games. Chicago first selection (18th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, Teravainen was a member of the team’s 2015 Stanley Cup championship.
The Blackhawks also agreed to a one-year contract with forward Richard Panik.
Details of the contract were not released.
Panik would have become a restricted free agent July 1.
Panik, 25, had six goals and eight points in 30 regular-season games after he was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Jeremy Morin on Jan. 3.
Bickell, 30, has notched 65 goals and adding 70 assists in 384 games with the Blackhawks, spanning nine seasons. A member of the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup championship teams, he was the Blackhawks' second-round selection (41st overall) in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Teravainen, 21, recently completed his third NHL season—all with the Blackhawks—and has collected 17 goals and 27 assists in 115 games. Chicago first selection (18th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, Teravainen was a member of the team’s 2015 Stanley Cup championship.
The Blackhawks also agreed to a one-year contract with forward Richard Panik.
Details of the contract were not released.
Panik would have become a restricted free agent July 1.
Panik, 25, had six goals and eight points in 30 regular-season games after he was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Jeremy Morin on Jan. 3.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Chicago Sports Weekly Report: (Very) basic analysis of the Cubs and White Sox
"UNB! Network" Chicago Sports Report
The following is some basic analysis of the Cubs and White Sox so far in the 2016 MLB season.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (43-18)
.705 - 1st in NL Central
Analysis: The Cubs are on track to win their first World Series title since 1908. 2015 was the closest they've gotten to that in quite a while, making it to the NLCS, where they would lose to the New York Mets. The Cubs are already off to a better season at this point in 2016 then this same point in 2015, and that may mean good things for the Cubs going forward.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (31-32)
.490 - 4th in AL Central
Analysis: The White Sox are struggling, there's no doubt about it. There were parts of this season where they were leading their division, but now they sit fourth in it. The team needs to find the issues they have and fix them if they want to get back on track.
The following is some basic analysis of the Cubs and White Sox so far in the 2016 MLB season.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (43-18)
.705 - 1st in NL Central
Analysis: The Cubs are on track to win their first World Series title since 1908. 2015 was the closest they've gotten to that in quite a while, making it to the NLCS, where they would lose to the New York Mets. The Cubs are already off to a better season at this point in 2016 then this same point in 2015, and that may mean good things for the Cubs going forward.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (31-32)
.490 - 4th in AL Central
Analysis: The White Sox are struggling, there's no doubt about it. There were parts of this season where they were leading their division, but now they sit fourth in it. The team needs to find the issues they have and fix them if they want to get back on track.
Yordano Ventura pitches Royals past White Sox 3-1
CHICAGO (AP) — The Baltimore brawl is over. Yordano Ventura is concentrating on finding his form for the Kansas City Royals.
This was an awfully nice step in that direction.
Ventura pitched seven sharp innings in his first start since his fight with Manny Machado, and the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 3-1 on Sunday for their second straight win following an eight-game losing streak.
"Today (I) was feeling what (I've) been working on all along," Ventura said, with catching coach Pedro Grifol serving as translator, "which is get the ball out of the glove quickly and get out in front."
Ventura (5-4) struck out a season-high 10 and walked one in his first win since May 17 against Boston, making the most of Kansas City's run-scoring singles in the first and second. Salvador Perez added a leadoff homer down the left-field line in the ninth.
The 25-year-old Ventura went 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in his previous four starts.
"When we took him out of the game, I told him tomorrow his duty was to come in and watch every pitch of that ballgame because every pitch that he delivered for me was phenomenal," manager Ned Yost said.
Ventura was suspended nine games by Major League Baseball after he hit Machado in the back with a 99 mph fastball in the fifth inning of a 9-1 loss Tuesday, leading to a bench-clearing fight. But the right-hander appealed the punishment and is allowed to pitch until the process is complete.
"For me, I mean, he was totally judged guilty without even a trial, without hearing any of the evidence," Yost said. "To me, that wasn't right, but it is what it is."
Chicago put runners on first and third with no outs in the fifth, but J.B. Shuck struck out looking and Ventura got rookie Tim Anderson to bounce into a double play — one of three on the day for Chicago. After Jose Abreu homered in the sixth, Ventura struck out Melky Cabrera and Todd Frazier to end the inning.
Kelvin Herrera worked the eighth and Wade Davis finished for his 17th save in 18 chances, helping Yost improve to 500-499 in seven years with Kansas City.
The White Sox lost for the 14th time in their last 18 games — five of those defeats have come against the Royals.
"There's no worry," left-hander Carlos Rodon said. "We know we're good enough. We're just going through a rough patch."
Rodon (2-6) shook off a slow start and pitched six effective innings after he was pushed back a couple of days due to a sore neck. He allowed seven hits, struck out seven and walked two.
"He threw well," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He got into some binds there and I think he limited his chances. There could have been some big innings there and he bucked up and got out of it."
Kendrys Morales' two-out RBI single got Kansas City on the board in the first, and Whit Merrifield added another run-scoring single in the second.
OLD FRIENDS
White Sox right-hander James Shields chatted with Yost when he visited the Royals before the game.
Shields won 27 games over two seasons in Kansas City, helping the Royals reach the 2014 World Series. He signed with San Diego in February 2015 and was traded to the White Sox on June 4.
"He left a big impact here. It's good to see him," Yost said. "I'm glad he's back in the American League."
Shields lasted just two-plus innings in an 11-4 loss to Washington in his White Sox debut on Wednesday. He pitches again on Monday against Detroit.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: Perez was checked on by Yost and a trainer after the catcher fell awkwardly while chasing a wild pitch in the fourth inning. Perez stayed in after catching a warmup pitch from Ventura.
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez (5-6, 4.25 ERA) gets the ball when Kansas City begins a seven-game homestand Monday night against Cleveland. RHP Carlos Carrasco (2-1, 3.48) pitches for the Indians in the opener of a three-game series.
White Sox: Shields (2-8, 5.06 ERA) is 7-6 with a 4.10 ERA in 18 career starts against Detroit. LHP Matt Boyd (0-1, 3.38) goes for the Tigers.
Lester allows no earned runs as Cubs rout Braves 13-2
ATLANTA (AP) — Jon Lester stopped himself as he started to say he hoped the Cubs could keep winning at their current pace.
That would be asking for too much.
Lester earned his fourth straight victory after allowing no earned runs in seven innings as Chicago beat the Atlanta Braves 13-2 on Sunday to win their final series at Turner Field.
The Cubs (43-18) have won 14 of 18 and improved to 39-2 when scoring at least four runs. They moved 25 games over .500 with their best record through 61 games since 1907, when they won the World Series.
"It's been fun to be a part of and hopefully we can just keep ... obviously the pace we're on is pretty crazy," Lester said. "Not a lot of us have answers for what's going on. Enjoy it while we can."
Lester (8-3) also is on an impressive personal run. He has allowed only one earned run with no walks in three wins this month, lowering his ERA to 1.89. He gave up five hits to the Braves, his high mark of the month, with seven strikeouts.
"That's three in a row he's been outstanding," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "Never tired. His stuff was still good at the end. He's pitching with a lot of confidence right now."
Maddon also had difficulty finding perspective for the Cubs' strong record.
"Listen, I have nothing to complain about," Maddon said. "I have been on a team with this kind of record in the minor leagues. Never in the majors."
Chicago outscored Atlanta 21-4 in winning the final two games of the three-game series.
Javier Baez hit a three-run homer off Chris Withrow to cap the Cubs' six-run eighth inning.
Anthony Rizzo drove in three runs with three hits. David Ross had two hits and also drove in two runs, one on a base-loaded walk from Alexi Ogando in Chicago's three-run seventh.
Jason Heyward, who began his career with the Braves, had three hits, two walks and scored three runs.
The Cubs matched their season high with four errors. The first of two throwing errors by Ross, on a double-steal by Freddie Freeman and Chase d'Arnaud, allowed d'Arnaud to score Atlanta's only run in the first inning.
The Braves (18-44) have the majors' worst record. They are 7-25 at home.
Braves rookie right-hander John Gant (0-1), making his first start after seven relief appearances, allowed three runs, two earned, in 4 1/3 innings. Gant gave up four hits with four walks and left the game trailing 3-1.
"He battled through a lot and did a good job of keeping the game there against, obviously, one of the best teams in baseball," said Braves interim manager Brian Snitker.
Withrow gave up six runs while recording only one out.
UNUSUAL SLIDE RULE CALL
A review determined Ross violated the slide rule — even when he didn't slide into second base. Ross hit a grounder to first baseman Freddie Freeman, who threw to shortstop Erick Aybar in the sixth inning. Ross ran past the bag as Aybar was forced to alter his throw back to first. The throw was late and Lester initially was safe at first until the review resulted in a double play.
WAIVER CLAIM
The Cubs claimed right-hander R.J. Alvarez off waivers from Oakland. Alvarez, who has been recovering from surgery on March 29 to remove bone chips from his right elbow, was assigned to Double-A Tennessee. Alvarez has a 7.39 ERA in 31 combined games with San Diego and Oakland.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Aybar came off the 15-day DL and started after missing 14 games with a bruised right foot. IF Daniel Castro was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
UP NEXT
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-5, 2.90), who has allowed no more than two runs in four straight starts, will try to even his record when Chicago opens a series at Washington on Monday night.
Braves: RHP Aaron Blair (0-4, 7.13), originally scheduled to start Sunday before given an extra day to rest, will look for his first win in Monday night's opening game of a four-game series against the Reds.
Friday, June 10, 2016
ChiSox end 5-game skid, beat Nats behind Cabrera, Gonzalez
CHICAGO (AP) — Todd Frazier wondered if going to church more would help the White Sox break out of their funk. Then the Chicago third baseman suggested a scuffle with teammate Adam Eaton.
"I'll put him on a hook here," Frazier said, smiling. "They'll say, 'What are you doing?' Well, Fraze is trying to shake things up."
A few hours later, the White Sox found a way to win with Eaton staying on the ground.
Melky Cabrera doubled twice and drove in two runs, Miguel Gonzalez pitched six strong innings after securing a rotation spot and the White Sox held off the Washington Nationals 3-1 on Thursday night to snap a five-game skid.
How much did the White Sox need this win?
"Big time. Bad," catcher Dioner Navarro said. "We've been scuffling. We are in a bad spot right now, but we know what it takes. Today, baby steps."
Gonzalez (1-1) won his first game with Chicago after losing seven straight decisions dating to last season with Baltimore. The right-hander retired the first 12 batters he faced, giving up three hits and a run.
The White Sox gave Gonzalez the No. 5 starting spot after designating Mat Latos for assignment before the game.
"They've given me the opportunity to start games and I'm happy," Gonzalez said.
Brett Lawrie added an RBI double in a three-run first off Gio Gonzalez (3-5), who struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings.
Daniel Murphy hit a solo homer in the fifth for the Nationals, whose three-game winning streak was snapped.
"It was a good road trip," Nats manager Dusty Baker said. "We wanted a great one. When you go 6-3 on the road, that's considered good."
Gio Gonzalez walked two straight in the first before allowing two-out doubles on consecutive pitches to Cabrera and Lawrie.
The Washington lefty then retired 11 straight. He gave up five hits in seven innings.
David Robertson worked around two hits in the ninth for his 14th save in 16 tries. Murphy hoped his game-ending liner to left would fall.
"Then when I saw Melky go after it, I wanted him to fall," Murphy said. "He made a really nice play."
Filling in for injured Carlos Rodon in the rotation, Miguel Gonzalez shined on a busy day.
Looking for answers to a 6-20 stretch that saw them go from six games up in the AL Central to fourth place, the White Sox cut the struggling Latos and signed veteran lefty hitter Justin Morneau. The former AL MVP won't be ready to play until after the All-Star break due to offseason elbow surgery.
Gonzalez had great movement on his fastball early, striking out five through four innings, until Murphy's shot to right made it 3-1.
He worked out of a sixth-inning jam with the help of shortstop Tyler Saladino, who threw out Jose Lobaton at the plate on a grounder.
"He was fantastic," manager Robin Ventura said of Gonzalez. "It's what we needed."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: OF Ben Revere and C Wilson Ramos had scheduled days off.
White Sox: Morneau, the 2014 NL batting champion, said his left elbow hurt every time he swung last season in Colorado. "It feels good now," Morneau said. "I think that's part of the reason I wanted to come back." . Rodon (neck) could start Sunday against Kansas City.
VENTURA'S FUTURE
Chicago GM Rick Hahn was asked about Ventura's job status.
"I don't think you've ever see me telegraph any move or comment on any individual player, or anybody in uniform," Hahn said.
Ventura shook off a similar question.
"You guys have been asking that all year, so that part hasn't changed," he said.
DRAFT DAY
Nationals: Carter Kieboom, a high school SS from Marietta, Georgia, was taken with the 28th pick and RHP Dane Dunning of Florida went 29th.
White Sox: C Zack Collins of Miami was selected with the 10th pick and RHP Zach Burdi of Louisville went 26th.
UP NEXT
Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (9-0, 2.85 ERA) seeks to win his 13th straight decision Friday night to kick off a six-game homestand against Philadelphia and RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.80).
White Sox: RHP Chris Sale (9-2, 2.54), who hasn't won since May 19, faces Kansas City RHP Ian Kennedy (4-4, 3.44). The Royals bring a seven-game losing streak to Chicago.
"I'll put him on a hook here," Frazier said, smiling. "They'll say, 'What are you doing?' Well, Fraze is trying to shake things up."
A few hours later, the White Sox found a way to win with Eaton staying on the ground.
Melky Cabrera doubled twice and drove in two runs, Miguel Gonzalez pitched six strong innings after securing a rotation spot and the White Sox held off the Washington Nationals 3-1 on Thursday night to snap a five-game skid.
How much did the White Sox need this win?
"Big time. Bad," catcher Dioner Navarro said. "We've been scuffling. We are in a bad spot right now, but we know what it takes. Today, baby steps."
Gonzalez (1-1) won his first game with Chicago after losing seven straight decisions dating to last season with Baltimore. The right-hander retired the first 12 batters he faced, giving up three hits and a run.
The White Sox gave Gonzalez the No. 5 starting spot after designating Mat Latos for assignment before the game.
"They've given me the opportunity to start games and I'm happy," Gonzalez said.
Brett Lawrie added an RBI double in a three-run first off Gio Gonzalez (3-5), who struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings.
Daniel Murphy hit a solo homer in the fifth for the Nationals, whose three-game winning streak was snapped.
"It was a good road trip," Nats manager Dusty Baker said. "We wanted a great one. When you go 6-3 on the road, that's considered good."
Gio Gonzalez walked two straight in the first before allowing two-out doubles on consecutive pitches to Cabrera and Lawrie.
The Washington lefty then retired 11 straight. He gave up five hits in seven innings.
David Robertson worked around two hits in the ninth for his 14th save in 16 tries. Murphy hoped his game-ending liner to left would fall.
"Then when I saw Melky go after it, I wanted him to fall," Murphy said. "He made a really nice play."
Filling in for injured Carlos Rodon in the rotation, Miguel Gonzalez shined on a busy day.
Looking for answers to a 6-20 stretch that saw them go from six games up in the AL Central to fourth place, the White Sox cut the struggling Latos and signed veteran lefty hitter Justin Morneau. The former AL MVP won't be ready to play until after the All-Star break due to offseason elbow surgery.
Gonzalez had great movement on his fastball early, striking out five through four innings, until Murphy's shot to right made it 3-1.
He worked out of a sixth-inning jam with the help of shortstop Tyler Saladino, who threw out Jose Lobaton at the plate on a grounder.
"He was fantastic," manager Robin Ventura said of Gonzalez. "It's what we needed."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: OF Ben Revere and C Wilson Ramos had scheduled days off.
White Sox: Morneau, the 2014 NL batting champion, said his left elbow hurt every time he swung last season in Colorado. "It feels good now," Morneau said. "I think that's part of the reason I wanted to come back." . Rodon (neck) could start Sunday against Kansas City.
VENTURA'S FUTURE
Chicago GM Rick Hahn was asked about Ventura's job status.
"I don't think you've ever see me telegraph any move or comment on any individual player, or anybody in uniform," Hahn said.
Ventura shook off a similar question.
"You guys have been asking that all year, so that part hasn't changed," he said.
DRAFT DAY
Nationals: Carter Kieboom, a high school SS from Marietta, Georgia, was taken with the 28th pick and RHP Dane Dunning of Florida went 29th.
White Sox: C Zack Collins of Miami was selected with the 10th pick and RHP Zach Burdi of Louisville went 26th.
UP NEXT
Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (9-0, 2.85 ERA) seeks to win his 13th straight decision Friday night to kick off a six-game homestand against Philadelphia and RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.80).
White Sox: RHP Chris Sale (9-2, 2.54), who hasn't won since May 19, faces Kansas City RHP Ian Kennedy (4-4, 3.44). The Royals bring a seven-game losing streak to Chicago.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Nats hit 3 HRs in Shields' ugly debut, rout White Sox 11-4
CHICAGO (AP) — The first hint of boos came after James Shields walked the game's second batter. They gained intensity after each of the three home runs and reached their peak after he was yanked in the third inning.
The Chicago White Sox's big addition couldn't stop their stunning slide.
Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the first to set the tone in Shields' miserable White Sox debut, Max Scherzer threw seven scoreless innings and the Washington Nationals routed reeling Chicago 11-4 on Wednesday night.
"You never want to come into a new team and expect to do that," Shields said.
Zimmerman's homer in a four-run first inning was followed by consecutive shots by Stephen Drew and Danny Espinosa to lead off the second.
Everyone in the Nationals lineup reached base safely at least once in two-plus innings off Shields (2-8), who couldn't command his fastball and gave up seven runs and eight hits in his first start since being acquired from San Diego.
"I didn't give them a chance," Shields said.
Instead of jump-starting a club once 23-10, Shields failed to get out of the third inning for the second straight start. The White Sox lost for the 20th time in 26 games to fall under .500 for the first time.
"Maybe he came in here pressing to try to impress," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "We know he's going to pitch better, but the first inning probably got to him somewhat."
Scherzer (7-4) allowed five hits for the Nationals, who have scored at least 10 runs in three straight games.
Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer off David Robertson in the eighth as the Nationals pounced on Shields for their seventh win in nine games.
"We scored early and that was big," Washington manager Dusty Baker said. "Shields wasn't that sharp today. He threw a bunch of pitches early and we capitalized on it."
Shields, who helped Tampa Bay and Kansas City reach the World Series in recent years, has fallen on hard times since signing a four-year, $75 million deal with San Diego before last season.
Padres executive Ron Fowler called his performance "an embarrassment" after he allowed 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings last week. He was traded to the White Sox four days later, and had command issues again.
Zimmerman crushed a belt-high 90 mph fastball to left in the first, before the lefty-hitting Drew and Espinosa pulled off-speed pitches.
"It seemed like everyone was comfortable and seeing his ball well," said Ben Revere, one of four Nationals with three hits.
The crowd cheered sarcastically when Shields struck out Bryce Harper after four straight hits in the second. Fans jeered when Shields was yanked after Anthony Rendon's leadoff single in the third.
Scherzer retired the first nine batters, struck out six and walked one. The White Sox scored four in the ninth to avoid being shut out.
"We haven't had a whole bunch of games like this when I haven't had to manage much," Baker said. "It's the kind of games that you like."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Matt Belisle (calf) remained on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse despite an overworked bullpen. "We didn't even talk about (bringing in another arm)," Baker said.
White Sox: RHP Zach Putnam (elbow soreness) replaced Shields and allowed two hits in the third inning. An MRI cleared Putnam after he was unavailable for two games.
HARPER SLIPS, SHINES
Harper dropped to second behind Cubs OF Dexter Fowler in the latest All-Star fan voting on a busy night. He pushed a bunt toward third for a hit against the shift in the first, threw out Jimmy Rollins at the plate from right field to end the fifth, doubled in the sixth and finished 3 for 6.
POSITION PLAYER PITCHING
White Sox OF J.B. Shuck, who pitched at Ohio State, allowed a run in the ninth in his big league pitching debut. He gave up one of Washington's 18 hits.
CATCH A DRAFT
The White Sox hold the 10th and 26th picks and the Nationals have the 28th and 29th selections in Thursday's draft.
"One of our big things this year is we want to start getting more true baseball players in our system," said Nick Hostetler, Chicago's director of amateur scouting.
UP NEXT
White Sox RHP Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 3.93 ERA) replaces Carlos Rodon (neck) in the series finale Thursday night. LHP Gio Gonzalez (3-4, 3.94) starts for the Nationals.
The Chicago White Sox's big addition couldn't stop their stunning slide.
Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the first to set the tone in Shields' miserable White Sox debut, Max Scherzer threw seven scoreless innings and the Washington Nationals routed reeling Chicago 11-4 on Wednesday night.
"You never want to come into a new team and expect to do that," Shields said.
Zimmerman's homer in a four-run first inning was followed by consecutive shots by Stephen Drew and Danny Espinosa to lead off the second.
Everyone in the Nationals lineup reached base safely at least once in two-plus innings off Shields (2-8), who couldn't command his fastball and gave up seven runs and eight hits in his first start since being acquired from San Diego.
"I didn't give them a chance," Shields said.
Instead of jump-starting a club once 23-10, Shields failed to get out of the third inning for the second straight start. The White Sox lost for the 20th time in 26 games to fall under .500 for the first time.
"Maybe he came in here pressing to try to impress," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "We know he's going to pitch better, but the first inning probably got to him somewhat."
Scherzer (7-4) allowed five hits for the Nationals, who have scored at least 10 runs in three straight games.
Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer off David Robertson in the eighth as the Nationals pounced on Shields for their seventh win in nine games.
"We scored early and that was big," Washington manager Dusty Baker said. "Shields wasn't that sharp today. He threw a bunch of pitches early and we capitalized on it."
Shields, who helped Tampa Bay and Kansas City reach the World Series in recent years, has fallen on hard times since signing a four-year, $75 million deal with San Diego before last season.
Padres executive Ron Fowler called his performance "an embarrassment" after he allowed 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings last week. He was traded to the White Sox four days later, and had command issues again.
Zimmerman crushed a belt-high 90 mph fastball to left in the first, before the lefty-hitting Drew and Espinosa pulled off-speed pitches.
"It seemed like everyone was comfortable and seeing his ball well," said Ben Revere, one of four Nationals with three hits.
The crowd cheered sarcastically when Shields struck out Bryce Harper after four straight hits in the second. Fans jeered when Shields was yanked after Anthony Rendon's leadoff single in the third.
Scherzer retired the first nine batters, struck out six and walked one. The White Sox scored four in the ninth to avoid being shut out.
"We haven't had a whole bunch of games like this when I haven't had to manage much," Baker said. "It's the kind of games that you like."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Matt Belisle (calf) remained on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse despite an overworked bullpen. "We didn't even talk about (bringing in another arm)," Baker said.
White Sox: RHP Zach Putnam (elbow soreness) replaced Shields and allowed two hits in the third inning. An MRI cleared Putnam after he was unavailable for two games.
HARPER SLIPS, SHINES
Harper dropped to second behind Cubs OF Dexter Fowler in the latest All-Star fan voting on a busy night. He pushed a bunt toward third for a hit against the shift in the first, threw out Jimmy Rollins at the plate from right field to end the fifth, doubled in the sixth and finished 3 for 6.
POSITION PLAYER PITCHING
White Sox OF J.B. Shuck, who pitched at Ohio State, allowed a run in the ninth in his big league pitching debut. He gave up one of Washington's 18 hits.
CATCH A DRAFT
The White Sox hold the 10th and 26th picks and the Nationals have the 28th and 29th selections in Thursday's draft.
"One of our big things this year is we want to start getting more true baseball players in our system," said Nick Hostetler, Chicago's director of amateur scouting.
UP NEXT
White Sox RHP Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 3.93 ERA) replaces Carlos Rodon (neck) in the series finale Thursday night. LHP Gio Gonzalez (3-4, 3.94) starts for the Nationals.
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