Benches empty, but White Sox go down quietly in 8-4 loss to Jays

Payers, umpires and others gather during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes) ORG XMIT: CXS120

Benches cleared, but no punches were thrown after shortstop Tim Anderson struck out against right-hander Marcus Stroman in the seventh inning of the Blue Jays’ 8-4 victory Tuesday against the White Sox.

Anderson, who was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Stroman and 0-for-4 overall, walked toward the dugout but looked over his shoulder and had words for Stroman while wagging his bat.

The two exchanged words before Anderson and Stroman moved toward each other, but the Sox’ dugout, led by hitting coach Todd Steverson, quickly moved to prevent a more involved conflict.

Both bullpens also emptied, but cooler heads prevailed, and players returned to their dugouts and bullpens. There were no ejections.

Anderson had called time on a 1-2 pitch, prompting Stroman, who on occasion uses the quick pitch to keep hitters off-balance, to raise his hands after time was granted by plate umpire Dave Rackley.

“He’s going to try to throw me off, so why not step out and try to throw him off?’’ Anderson said. “It was one of those things where I stepped out, and he just complains and cries like he always does. That’s what it led to.’’

Words were exchanged during the at-bat.

“Just the way he carried himself, I felt like I was disrespected,’’ Anderson said. “I had to do what I had to do.’’

Stroman (10-5, 3.19 ERA) allowed four runs, seven hits and a walk and struck out five in seven innings. Anderson, who is having a disappointing second season in the majors, saw his average dip to .232.

“It seemed like he wanted to talk the entire way back to the dugout after striking out,’’ Stroman said. “He was still continuing to talk, so I asked him what he was saying. He continued to talk more, so I walked toward the dugout. I thought he had a problem. I don’t understand why he would be running his mouth walking back to the dugout. It made zero sense to me.’’

Stroman was ejected from his previous start against the Athletics for arguing balls and strikes.

Davidson exits with bruised wrist

Matt Davidson suffered a bruised right wrist after being hit by a pitch from Stroman in the fourth inning and is day-to-day.

“It just kind of swelled up pretty good right after,’’ Davidson said. “I just didn’t really feel comfortable swinging. We’ll see how it responds [Wednesday].’’

Kevan Smith pinch-hit for Davidson, the designated hitter, and hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Concussed Garcia on 7-day DL

Willy Garcia was put on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion suffered in his collision in the outfield with Yoan Moncada on Monday. Garcia took a knee from Moncada while attempting to make a sliding catch near the right-field line. Garcia said he felt better Tuesday after saying he wasn’t aware of what happened on the play until he saw a replay.

Delmonico debut

Nicky Delmonico, called up to take Garcia’s roster spot, played left field in his major-league debut. He singled and scored a run.

“The whole game, from start to finish, it was awesome,’’ Delmonico said. “It was a dream come true. I’m very fortunate to have this day and to have my family out to watch.’’

Another rough start

Mike Pelfrey, trying to finish six innings for the first time since he went six and beat the Jays in Toronto on June 17, came up an out short, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing six runs, all earned, seven hits and three walks. Pelfrey, who was 0-3 with a 7.07 ERA in his last six starts, hasn’t won since June 17.

Pelfrey (3-9) threw 103 pitches, 58 for strikes, and gave up homers to Josh Donaldson in the first inning and Justin Smoak in the fifth.

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Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com