White Sox starter Hector Santiago won’t have a winning record this season, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a positive season for the young lefthander.
“For the most part, it’s been successful,” he said Friday despite taking the 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians. “I feel where I’m at right now is not where I want to be innings wise and going deep into the games. I don’t feel tired. I honestly don’t feel [tired] to use that as an excuse.
“I feel like I’m definitely past where I’ve been in innings [now a career high 142 2/3 innings]. But I don’t think I’m tired, and so far it has been pretty good all around.”Santiago gave up one run through four innings but couldn’t get out of the fifth, giving up a walk and single to start the inning when manager Robin Ventura lifted him. Both scored and were charged to Santiago (4-9).“He’s probably a little tired,” Ventura said. “I would imagine that’s part of it. As far as being able to locate, he’s just getting into too much trouble. You’ve seen it probably during the course of the year but I think it’s been increased with the workload and where he’s at. He could just be tired.”The Sox didn’t help him on the scoreboard, stranding 13 runners in falling to the Indians for the 10th straight time. Their overall record also fell to a season-worst 31 games below .500 (58-89).Santiago should get two more starts this season.“Hopefully I can finish off a little better than the last three or four games, whatever it has been and kind of solidify that role [in the rotation] next year in 2014.”
