ARLINGTON, Texas — Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez earned more than just another start after pitching 5⅔ innings of one-run ball Monday against the Rangers.
In addition to getting the assignment to close the White Sox’ six-game road trip Sunday against the Yankees, Gonzalez ‘‘will probably get another few turns after that,’’ general manager Rick Hahn said Tuesday.
Gonzalez, whom the Sox signed to a minor-league deal after the Orioles released him during spring training, has bounced from Class AAA Charlotte to the Sox for a spot start April 25 against the Blue Jays, then back to Charlotte before returning to the Sox on Monday. For now, the No. 5 starter’s job appears to be his to lose.
‘‘He earned it,’’ manager Robin Ventura said.
‘‘Bringing him back against another difficult offensive team in their home park, he showed himself well both times,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘He’s earned the right to get a little bit of stability, a little bit of repetition in that spot.’’
Gonzalez’ velocity, which sagged late last season and during spring training, was up around 92 or
93 mph against the Rangers.
‘‘My velo is back; I’m excited,’’ Gonzalez said. ‘‘I’m happy I’m with the White Sox, and I’m excited about the season and how we’re playing. Let’s keep this going.’’
A first for Melky
When outfielder Melky Cabrera was ejected Monday by plate umpire Laz Diaz, it marked the first time he had been thrown out of a game in his career at any level, he said. Cabrera wasn’t animated at all before Diaz gave him the heave-ho.
‘‘Two pitches that were called strikes were balls,’’ Cabrera said. ‘‘I just told him, ‘Hey, those pitches were balls.’ He responded to me, and I said, ‘You are a bad umpire. Those pitches were balls.’ And then he [tossed] me.’’
Rangers manager Jeff Banister was ejected later in the game for a similar beef.
Frazier adjusts
Third baseman Todd Frazier played down the switch from the National League to the American League after he was traded to the Sox, but he admitted there is an adjustment period when it comes to facing different pitchers.
‘‘You try and see video; there’s not much more you can do,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s been a little bit difficult understanding what they’re trying to throw to you. You haven’t seen them, so they have the advantage. But I have the advantage, too, with three strikes. You have to keep battling.’’
Frazier doesn’t spend a ton of time breaking down his swing. He’s more about balance and letting his hands do the work.
‘‘The things I work on are mainly with my hands and getting a good base,’’ he said.
After driving in six runs with four hits — including a grand slam and a solo homer — Monday, Frazier drove in his 28th run on a first-inning groundout and his 29th and 30th on a two-run single in the third Tuesday.
Late bloomers
Through Monday, the Sox had scored 66 of their 139 runs (47.5 percent) in the seventh inning or later, the highest percentage in AL.
