The White Sox were hoping right-hander Lucas Giolito’s second start would be a continuation of his first. On March 31 against the Royals, Giolito took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and had what might have been the best start of his Sox career.
Unfortunately for the Sox, Giolito couldn’t replicate that performance. He allowed five runs, six hits and four walks in the Sox’ 9-2 loss Saturday to the Mariners.
One start after allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings, Giolito threw 89 pitches (53 strikes) and went only 4 1/3 innings.
‘‘Felt good starting out, but then I started to come out of my mechanics, come out of my delivery a little bit as the game went on,’’ Giolito said. ‘‘Walked too many guys. Can’t do that. The balls up, heaters up over the middle, they got me on those.’’
A-plus Anderson
Whether it’s dad strength or an offseason of hard work and adjustments, shortstop Tim Anderson has started 2019 fast.
Anderson went 3-for-4 and hit his second home run of the season. He has had at least one hit in his last five games, going 10-for-20 during that stretch, and has had multiple hits in his last three games.
‘‘I feel like I’m learning and understanding the game a lot more,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘I feel like it’s slowing down for me a lot more. And I’m getting it.’’
Anderson and his wife, Bria, welcomed their second daughter Monday. Maybe the increased dad muscles are helping him on the field.
‘‘They’re kicking in, man, they’re kicking in,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘I’ll take it, though. I’ll keep it, too.’’
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Getting defensive
Yoan Moncada’s offense is getting plenty of attention — with good reason. Before going 0-for-5 on Saturday, Moncada was leading the American League in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.
But Moncada also is getting used to playing third base and is working on some of the nuances there. Manager Rick Renteria said Moncada is working with bench coach Joe McEwing on keeping his feet moving on throws to first and avoiding short-arming or pulling off those throws.
‘‘[McEwing is] trying to have him stay behind the ball a little bit more,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘Other than that, everything else has been really, really good.’’
Struggles continue
It’s early, but outfielder Daniel Palka and infielder Yolmer Sanchez aren’t off to the kind of starts the Sox hoped for.
Palka went 0-for-3 and dropped to 0-for-21 on the season. Sanchez also went 0-for-3, falling to 1-for-24 in 2019.
Sanchez, however, received a nifty gift. Because Sanchez is known for dumping a cooler of Gatorade on himself in celebration, the sports-drink company sent him a bobblehead depicting one of those dunks.
Santana sighting
The Sox need a starter Tuesday against the Rays, and right-hander Ervin Santana was in the clubhouse. So does that mean he’ll make his Sox debut?
Renteria wasn’t quite ready to commit, even though Santana threw a side session before the game.
