MARYVALE, Ariz. — Carson Fulmer tried to right himself after two rough and one so-so start, but his struggle went from bad to worse.
Fulmer had the fifth starter’s job to lose but after giving up seven runs on three homers in 1 2/3 innings Wednesday in the White Sox’ 11-3 loss to the Brewers he owns a 18.90 spring ERA over four starts, a figure ballooned by seven home runs. Five of the last 18 batters to face the Sox’ No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft have homered.
Ryan Braun went deep in his first two-at bats (on a curve ball and cutter), including a grand slam, and Travis Shaw followed Braun’s second one with an opposite field blast. Fulmer also walked three, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.
“Just a bad outing,’’ Fulmer said.
“I don’t think it’s mechanical. … I’m just catching some of the zone that I’m trying not to do. It’s frustrating, very frustrating for me.’’
“Sometimes he ends up rushing in which case all pitches including his fastball end up suffering,’’ manager Rick Renteria said before the game.
Enter Santiago?
Fulmer’s struggles could open a door for left-hander Hector Santiago, who has allowed one run in 10 innings this spring. Santiago, who has been pitching on the same days as Fulmer, pitched in a minor league game Wednesday morning against the Dodgers’ AAA team, allowing three runs on six hits over 2 1/3 innings. Santiago struck out three and walked none.
No offense
The Sox (9-9-2) had five hits, all singles, and all of their runs were unearned.
Keep on chuckin’
Non-roster invitees who continue to get outs: Right-hander Chris Volstad (1 2/3 innings) and lefty Robbie Ross (one inning) haven’t allowed an earned run all spring.
On deck
Sox at Angels, Lucas Giolito vs. Parker Bridwell, 8:10 p.m., Thursday.
