Right-hander James Shields has an unbecoming 5.99 ERA since coming to the White Sox last season, but his numbers have been easier on the eyes since he dropped down in his delivery 10 starts ago.
‘‘I’m revamping every year, man,’’ Shields, 35, said after pitching the Sox to a 4-2 victory Monday the Angels with seven strong innings. ‘‘This being my 12th season, you’re always trying to refine your game every year, no matter what, whether it’s a pitch or mechanical adjustment.’’
Shields (5-7) allowed two runs and four hits — one of them a 457-foot home run by Mike Trout, his 30th — matched his season high with eight strikeouts. Since changing his release point, his ERA is 4.32.
‘‘He’s kind of resurrected himself a little bit [by throwing three-quarter sidearm] and given himself a nice comeback season,’’ manager Rick Renteria said.
Moncada, Abreu out
Second baseman Yoan Moncada, who went on the disabled list with shin splints in his right leg in late August, was out of the lineup against the Angels after the injury flared up during the White Sox’ 8-1 victory Sunday against the Royals.
And first baseman Jose Abreu was out for a second consecutive day to rest his bruised left shin.
Both had MRI exams that came back clean and might play Tuesday, Renteria said.
Defending Abreu’s defense
Not only is Abreu batting .304 with 31 home runs and 100 RBI, but his defense, while perhaps not Gold Glove-caliber, has improved, Renteria said.
At minus-1, Abreu ranks 12th among major-league first basemen in runs saved, according to FanGraphs. He ranked 17th at minus-6 last season.
Renteria said Abreu has been better than he was last season, when he observed him as the Sox’ bench coach.
‘‘He was getting hammered because of his defense, but he owned it,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘He worked on it, and now you see this kid is pretty good defensively at first and has maintained his offensive numbers. He’s also taken more of a leadership role.’’
Fulmer’s last start Saturday
Right-hander Carson Fulmer was pushed back from his scheduled start Tuesday against the Angels to a start Saturday against the Indians because of the blister that forced him out of his last start against the Astros.
Right-hander Chris Volstad (1-0, 1.08 ERA), who pitched 4⅓ innings of one-run ball in emergency relief of Fulmer against the Astros, will start Tuesday.
This and that
The Sox are 52-1 when leading after eight innings, one of six teams with one or no losses when leading entering the ninth. The others are the Red Sox, Astros, Reds, Dodgers and Padres.
• Tadahito Iguchi, the second baseman on the Sox’ 2005 World Series championship team, will throw out the first pitch Thursday.
• Catcher Rob Brantly’s father, Master Sgt. Robert Brantly, was recognized on the field during the third inning as the ‘‘Hero of the Game.’’ The elder Brantly, 56, celebrated his birthday the day before his retirement from the Air Force and got a hug from his son.
Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.
Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com
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