Shields takes another step up in White Sox win over Orioles
Give James Shields credit - he doesn't give up.
Coming off two poor seasons and playing for one of baseball's worst teams this year, the 36-year-old veteran delivered another solid start for the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
"It's our job as starters to keep us in the game as long as we can, no matter how we're hitting," Shields said.
In a 3-2 win over the Orioles, Shields pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits. The right-hander has allowed 12 earned runs in 33 innings over his last 5 starts, a 3.27 ERA.
The Sox hit throughout the game, but they were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position heading into the eighth inning. Trailing 2-0, the White Sox staged a late rally for the win.
Daniel Palka led off the eighth with a triple and scored on Welington Castillo's single.
Yoan Moncada tied the game with a sacrifice fly and Yolmer Sanchez's two-out RBI single decided the outcome.
"I thought (Shields) did a fantastic job for us," manager Rick Renteria said. "And all those at-bats (in the eighth), from the beginning to the run scoring at-bats, were really good. We've had a tough time in the eighth and ninth innings in tough situations but today we turned the tide around."
Garcia update:
Last week, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said injured right fielder Avisail Garcia was likely to be out until late June with a Grade 2 right hamstring.
On Tuesday, Garcia vowed to be back in the lineup much sooner.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to run a little bit in the pool," said Garcia, who has been on the disabled list since April 24. "I've been working out upper body, so I'm just missing a little bit running because of my hammy. But I'm going be back stronger for sure."
Garcia received his second PRP (platelet rich plasma) injection on Monday, and he'll have the third and final one after Memorial Day.
In the meantime, he'll do his best to keep up with the Sox.
"No one likes to be injured, especially position players playing every day," said Garcia, the White Sox's lone all-star last year. "I don't like to watch the game. I mean, I like it, but I like it when I'm playing, so it is what it is. I'm just watching, learning more because we're learning every single day."
Take a break:
Batting .156 (10-for-64) over his last 19 games, shortstop Tim Anderson was held out of Tuesday night's lineup.
Anderson has started 43 of the Sox's 45 games this season.
"His legs have been a little tired," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's a little banged up so we're just trying to give him a little break, maybe just a day."