Santiago steps up in emergency role for White Sox
ARLINGTON, Texas -- White Sox emergency starter Hector Santiago took advantage of the spotlight, leading Chicago past Texas 3-1 on a chilly Thursday night at Rangers Ballpark.
Santiago replaced Jake Peavy, who had his turn skipped due to back spasms. The late change didn't throw the White Sox off in the rubber match of a three-game series.
The 25-year-old lefty, making his first start of the season and the first in his three-year career before September, made his case to stay in the rotation by baffling the Rangers. Texas managed only two hits and struck out six times in Santiago's 5 1/3-inning stint.
"I threw all five pitches," said Santiago, who was scheduled to start Friday. "I just went out and attacked."
As a result, Chicago (12-15) became the first team win season series against the Rangers. The White won the final two games, limiting the Rangers to only three runs since Texas won the opener 10-6 on Tuesday.
"We've been struggling," Santiago added. "Hopefully, we can get back on track."
The AL West-leading Rangers (17-11) continue their six-game homestand Friday with the start of a three-game series against Boston. Chicago opens a three-game set Friday at Kansas City.
The White Sox got to Rangers starter Justin Grimm (2-1) in the sixth on Tyler Flower's three-run home run. The rally started with two outs, with Conor Gillaspie and Alexi Ramirez reaching on back-to-back singles.
Flowers deposited a curveball just inside the left-field foul pole for his fourth homer to give Chicago a 3-1 lead. Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux visited the mound, but Grimm stayed in and struck Alejandro De Aza out to end the inning.
"He really had good stuff," Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Grimm. "He had a good fastball, a good changeup. He just left one up to Flowers. Other than that he pitched a good ballgame.
"We just couldn't put any runs on the board."
Santiago (1-1) was done in the sixth despite giving up only two hits. After giving up a one-out double to Ian Kinsler and walking Elvis Andrus, Sox manager Robin Ventura turned to reliever Matt Lindstrom.
Lindstrom walked the first batter he faced, Lance Berkman, to load the bases. The threat ended there, as Lindstrom coaxed a double-play out of Adrian Beltre. The Texas third baseman, who homered earlier in the game, also struck out with two on in the eighth.
Sox closer Addison Reed came on for the ninth and put two Rangers on via walks with one out. Reed fanned Mitch Moreland and Leonys Martin pick up his 10th save of the season and second in two nights.
Reed also worked out of self-inflicted trouble in Wednesday's 5-2 win.
"That's kind of been his reputation to get out of tight jams," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said.
Grimm, the reigning AL Rookie of the Month, started slow before finding a groove. The right-hander issued three walks and three hits through the first three innings but kept Chicago off the scoreboard.
Grimm worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the third by striking out Paul Konerko and Gillaspie. Grimm didn't allow a baserunner in the fourth and fifth innings.
Santiago made just one mistake through the first five innings. The only hit Santiago allowed during that stretch happened in the second, a Beltre solo blast into the left-field bleachers that gave Texas the early lead.
NOTES: Texas catcher A.J. Pierzynski was back in the lineup after missing two starts due to a sore oblique. ... Texas right-hander Justin Grimm was voted the American League Rookie of the Month for April. Grimm made three April starts after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to replace the injured Matt Harrison in the rotation. Grimm went 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. ... The first pitch temperature of 44 degrees is the third-coldest start ever at Rangers Ballpark.
