Padres tip White Sox, Fulmer 2-0

Carson Fulmer was moving along nicely through the first eight batters he faced, a brief but encouraging rebound after two bad starts. Then former Cub Matt Szczur homered with two outs in the third. Cory Spangenberg followed with another home run. Freddy Galvis doubled, and Franchy Cordero walked. After a visit from pitching coach Don Cooper, a fly out by Chase Headley ended Fulmer’s day.

Fulmer — who allowed two runs and four hits, struck out three and walked two in three innings — said the outing was a step forward.

“A lot better, a lot more in control and better results,’’ he said. “I got out of a couple situations and overall felt really happy about it.

“I stayed under control, the ball was jumping and I had a lot more swings and misses. A lot to build off.’’

No offense

A mostly second-team White Sox lineup was held to five hits by Clayton Richard and three relievers.

Eloy’s comin’

Top outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez (left knee tendinitis) might play Sunday against the Diamondbacks, manager Rick Renteria said. Luis Robert’s sore left thumb, which stems from a slide into second, will likely keep him out of action for at least a couple of days.

Pitching in

Hector Santiago, the fallback for Fulmer’s spot, continues to put up zeros. He pitched two more scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.90. Robbie Ross made his spring debut with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts, and lefty Aaron Bummer had his best outing, striking out the three batters he faced.

On deck

Sox at Cubs, Mesa, Lucas Giolito vs. Kyle Hendricks, 2:05 p.m. Saturday, Ch. 9, 720-AM.

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Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com