Things go south quickly for Banuelos, White Sox
CHICAGO -- Manny Bañuelos retired the first eight Boston hitters he faced on 29 pitches during Saturday night’s contest at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Then things went from bad to worse to a 15-2 Red Sox final score. It was the second straight loss in a four-game series for the White Sox, who opened this nine-game homestand with a 5-1 mark, including a walk-off victory over the defending World Series champions on Thursday.
Banuelos allowed 10 straight hits to the Red Sox, becoming the first White Sox pitcher since at least 1974 to allow 10 hits in an inning per STATS, with home runs coming from Xander Bogaerts, Michael Chavis and Eduardo Nunez. The southpaw did not make it out of the dreadful third inning, as Carson Fulmer entered in relief with two outs.
A quick video review by Banuelos after exiting the game showed he might have been tipping pitches during the second time, and what turned out to be his final time, through the order.
“I went to the video room and I saw some things there,” Banuelos said. “I have to fix it next time.”
“Regardless of whether they did or didn't, they were swinging the bats, they struck the ball very well,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “Obviously they put 15 points on the board. We've been trying to get our starters to give us a little length. It didn't happen.”
This browser does not support the video element.
White Sox starting pitching continues to be an overall weak point. Factoring in the nine runs on 10 hits allowed by Banuelos, the White Sox rotation has given up 115 earned runs over 151 2/3 innings for a 6.82 ERA. The staff has made nine quality starts in 31 games and has a 9.28 ERA (77 earned runs over 74 2/3 innings) at home.
Sunday’s series finale features Dylan Covey, who moves into the rotation for the injured Carlos Rodon. Covey has not pitched more than 4 1/3 innings this season, so the overworked White Sox bullpen will be called upon yet again.
On Saturday alone, Fulmer (32 pitches), Josh Osich (37), Jose Ruiz (35), Evan Marshall (12) and Kelvin Herrera (17) all saw work. Every White Sox reliever but Jace Fry has worked at least one game since the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Orioles.
It’s a daily juggling act for Renteria and pitching coach Don Cooper to figure out who is actually available.
“You're looking at how many times you get them up, how many innings they eat, the pitches they throw, all those things,” Renteria said. “You're trying to balance and manage all of it while still trying to get through a ballgame.
“This is a tough spot for us. The doubleheader [Wednesday], not getting through deeper into ballgames has certainly chipped away from bullpen usage, and we have to continue to try to adjust. That's just the way it is, that's just the game. We just have to continue to grind. That's the bottom line. That's all I can do.”
This browser does not support the video element.
Renteria will have two new relievers Sunday, with Fulmer and Ruiz optioned to Triple-A Charlotte after the loss. Left-hander Caleb Frare, who broke camp with the team, and right-hander Ryan Burr, who has been on the injured list retroactive to April 25 with A/C joint inflammation in his right shoulder, are replacement candidates.
As for Banuelos, he’s already on to his next start after becoming the first White Sox pitcher to allow nine runs in an inning since Arnie Munoz on June 19, 2004, against the Expos. He also became the first pitcher since Philadelphia’s Jamie Moyer on April 10, 2010, vs. Houston to retire the first eight batters of a game and then allow the next eight to reach, per STATS.
“I’ve been in the bullpen and I know how that feels,” Banuelos said. “My goal is just every time I get the ball, try to go deep in the game and pitch six or seven innings. Today, it didn’t work that way. Just get ready for the next one.”