White Sox reach midway point with forgettable defeat

SHARE White Sox reach midway point with forgettable defeat
941631424_75404127.jpg

Miguel Gonzalez of the White Sox reacts in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, Texas — What an awfully forgettable night for the White Sox.

For starters, right-hander Dylan Covey allowed four home runs — including three in a seven-run second inning — in the Sox’ 11-3 loss Friday to the Rangers to take the shine off what had been a promising start to the season for him.

That alone was enough to put a damper on the start to a 10-game road trip for the Sox, who fell to 28-53 at the halfway point of the season. That puts them on pace to equal the franchise record of 106 losses (1970).

They also reminded observers of why they’re the worst defensive team in the American League. Second baseman Yoan Moncada made his 13th error on a routine ground ball in the second to pass shortstop Tim Anderson for the team lead in that category, and left fielder Charlie Tilson dropped a routine fly ball in the sixth to allow a run to score.

Rougned Odor, Robinson Chirinos and Nomar Mazara homered in the second against Covey, who threw 42 pitches in that inning. In the third, Joey Gallo homered against Covey and Shin-Soo Choo — who extended his on-base streak to 41 games with a leadoff walk in the first — against reliever Chris Volstad.

The Sox had sent nine batters to the plate against Rangers right-hander Yovani Gallardo, all of them retired, and trailed 10-0 after three innings.

The bright spot, if you can call it that, was a perfect inning of relief from corner infielder Matt Davidson in the eighth.

‘‘A dream come true for me,’’ said Davidson, a star pitcher in high school who touched 91 mph and needed 13 pitches to retire the Rangers on a foul pop-up, a soft comeback liner to the mound and a strikeout.

Covey’s performance was more like a nightmare.

‘‘They were just all over everything,’’ Covey said. ‘‘I don’t have an explanation. The ball was coming out good. I just have to put it behind me and face [the Reds] in five days.’’

Setback for Gonzalez

After making one three-inning rehab start, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez has suffered a setback and likely will be sidelined for another extended period.

RELATED STORIES

Eloy Jimenez on his White Sox future — and the ‘first’ he’ll accomplish on Day 1

White Sox’ Class AA manager says Eloy Jimenez’s defense will play in majors

The Sox signed Gonzalez to a one-year, $4.75 million contract during the offseason to provide innings for a young starting rotation. He felt soreness in his right shoulder during a side session after his scoreless outing Sunday for Class AAA Charlotte and will be re-examined and re-evaluated, manager Rick Renteria said.

Sanchez still hurting

Infielder Yolmer Sanchez, who exited the Sox’ 2-1 loss Thursday to the Twins with a bruised left quadriceps, did not play.

‘‘It’s better, a little tight,’’ Sanchez said.

‘‘He’s actually walking around pretty good,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘He has some inflammation in there. We’ll see if we can get that out of there and get him more comfortable.’’

Second-round draft pick signed

Second-round draft pick Steele Walker, an outfielder from Oklahoma, agreed to contract terms with the Sox. MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reported Walker’s signing bonus was $2 million, above the No. 46 slot value of $1.57 million.

First-round pick Nick Madrigal, a shortstop from College World Series champion Oregon State, might be signed as soon as next week.

The Sox also have signed left-hander Konnor Pilkington, a third-round pick from Mississippi State, for a reported $650,000, less than his $726,700 slot value.

The Latest
The man was shot in the left eye area in the 5700 block of South Christiana Avenue on the city’s Southwest Side.
Most women who seek abortions are women of color, especially Black women. Restricting access to mifepristone, as a case now before the Supreme Court seeks to do, would worsen racial health disparities.
The Bears have spent months studying the draft. They’ll spend the next one plotting what could happen.
Woman is getting anxious about how often she has to host her husband’s hunting buddy and his wife, who don’t contribute at all to mealtimes.
He launched a campaign against a proposed neo-Nazis march at a time the suburb was home to many Holocaust survivors. His rabbi at Skokie Central Congregation urged Jews to ignore the Nazis. “I jumped up and said, ‘No, Rabbi. We will not stay home and close the windows.’ ”