Pitch perfect: Starters still haven’t given up an earned run as Sox blank Twins
After making his major-league debut Monday, White Sox right-hander Mike Vasil had a collection of commemorative baseballs sitting in his locker.
His guided tour was a solid metaphor for the confounding start to the season on the South Side.
“I got my first strikeout,” Vasil said while showing the ball to reporters. “And all these other balls I'm not quite sure what they are. I do know they were in my hand at some point and they all mean something. So I've got to figure all that out.”
Likewise, the baseball world needs to figure out what to make of this White Sox start. They rolled over the Minnesota Twins 9-0 on Monday afternoon at frigid Rate Field.
The Sox offense had been in a deep freeze the previous two days, but erupted for 3 home runs in the first three innings of this one — by Andrew Vaughn, Andrew Benintendi and Michael A. Taylor. The onslaught was so severe, the Twins pulled Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa out of the game after three innings.
“We came out swinging today,” Vaughn said. “You can't think it's cold out there or else it's going to beat you before you get on the field.”
On the mound, Martin Perez tossed 6 hitless innings with 9 strikeouts, while never once hitting 90 miles per hour on the radar gun. The veteran lefty did throw one sinker 89.9 mph, according to Statcast.
“I don't have the velocity anymore, but I know how to pitch and I know how to move the ball,” Perez said.
According to mlb.com, the Sox became the fifth team in MLB history to begin a season with four starting pitchers allowing no earned runs while going at least 5 innings. Through four games, the White Sox team ERA is 0.75.
Is this false hope because the Sox are playing weak-hitting opponents? Or does this group actually have a chance to be the best pitching staff in the American League?
The star of spring training, hard-throwing right-hander Shane Smith, is next up in the rotation. He'll make his MLB debut on Tuesday night.
When Perez signed with the White Sox during the winter, he insisted this is where he wants to be — serving as the veteran mentor for a young, promising staff. Now, what did Perez know about this group that the rest of the world seemed to miss?
“I remember that a lot of people say we're not a contending team,” Perez said. “Now we're showing them we're better than last year. I know it's too early, but we're thinking of something special late in September, so let's see how everything's going.”
Well, that's a bold statement for a team coming off 121 losses. But the White Sox (2-2) are plus-14 in run differential with a 0.00 starter ERA, so now is as good a time as any for wild predictions.
Perez was at 93 pitches through six innings, so he knew there was no chance of completing the no-hitter. The pitching change also meant Vasil would make his big-league debut with a chance to finish a combined no-no. He got the first two outs before Willi Castro lined a single to right.
“I do know that there was a zero,” Vasil said. “Not proud of that (giving up the first hit) exactly. Martin pitched a really great game. Just really happy with how it went.”
Vasil, who was claimed off waivers just before the season began, pitched 2 scoreless innings with 2 hits allowed, before Brandon Eisert worked the ninth.
Last year when the White Sox won their second game of the season, their record was 2-9. Both victories this year have been by 7-plus runs. They did that just five times last season, and blowout win No. 2 didn't happen until June 29.
Where this goes is anyone's guess, but at least during the opening week, the Sox seem to have abandoned their addiction to losing.