Cooper getting White Sox righty Giolito to stay over ball, throw more strikes

DETROIT — Lucas Giolito (7.53 ERA), scheduled to make his 11th start Tuesday in Cleveland, had a sideline session Saturday with pitching coach Don Cooper with a basic objective.

“Strikes,’’ Cooper said. “Strikes.”

With 37 walks against 27 strikeouts in 49 innings, that comes as no surprise.

“We want him to get over the ball with angle,’’ Cooper said. “That’s his strength. That’s kind of it.’’

After Giolito’s last start in which he failed to finish the second inning, manager Rick Renteria said the 6-6 right-hander’s problems weren’t comparable in magnitude to those of righty Carson Fulmer (8.07 ERA), who was sent to Class AAA Charlotte after he walked 24 in 32„ innings in eight starts.

“We don’t make the moves; they make the moves,’’ Cooper said. “He and Carson and [Reynaldo] Lopez and the rookie relievers are trying to establish themselves. You don’t establish yourself in September.

“We support [Giolito] and keep running him out there.’’

When Giolito was effective late last season and during spring training, “he was making pitches, getting ahead and throwing strikes early in the count,’’ Cooper said. “We’re not getting quality strikes, especially early in the count.’’

That Giolito is working with 91-92 mph velocity shouldn’t be an issue, Cooper said.

“That’s enough if you command it,’’ Cooper said. “We’re not searching for more velocity. We’re searching for more strikes.’’

Davidson DL stint possible

Designated hitter Matt Davidson missed his fifth consecutive game with back spasms, and Renteria was not ruling out the disabled list for the team’s home-run leader.

“We want to re-evaluate later in the day and check him in the morning [Monday],’’ Renteria said. “Is there an outside possibility? Sure.’’

Where have they gone?

Injuries and a suspension have brought the lineup to this: Utility infielder Jose Rondon batting fourth as Davidson’s fill-in at DH in the 3-2 loss Sunday to the Tigers.

Rondon did look the part, though, against Tigers closer Shane Greene with two outs in the ninth inning by hitting a home run to make it a one-run game. Rondon has hit the first three homers of his career in his last four games. He’s 0-for-11 in his other at-bats during that stretch.

The White Sox’ 25-man roster includes only 15 players who were on the Opening Day roster. Five are on the disabled list (Nicky Delmonico, Avisail Garcia, Leury Garcia, Miguel Gonzalez, Danny Farquhar), one is on the restricted list (Welington Castillo with an 80-game suspension), three are at Charlotte (Fulmer, Juan Minaya, Gregory Infante) and one (Tyler Saladino) was traded for cash considerations.

This and that

Yolmer Sanchez and Daniel Palka raised the Sox’ major-league-leading stolen-base total to 45. The Sox have been caught stealing eight times. After stealing 71 bases in 2017 and 77 in 2016, the Sox are on pace for 144 steals.

† Sanchez drove in the Sox’ first run with his American League-high fifth triple. Sanchez’s nine triples since the start of last season are second in the AL to the Tigers’ Nick Castellanos (10).

† James Shields picked off John Hicks from third base, the second time this year he has picked a runner off third, to help him get out of a second-inning jam.

“Same move; I’ve been doing it for years,’’ Shields said.

† The time of game was two hours, 17 minutes, the Sox’ fastest of the year.

On deck

Monday: Dylan Covey (1-0, 3.46) vs. Adam Plutko (1-0, 3.46), 3:10 CST, Ch. 9 and ESPN (not in Chicago), 720-AM.

Tuesday: Lucas Giolito (3-5, 7.53) vs. Mike Clevinger (3-2, 3.32), 5:10 p.m., NBCSCH, 720-AM.

Wednesday: Reynaldo Lopez (1-3, 2.93) vs. Corey Kluber (7-2, 2.17), NBCSCH, 720-AM.