|
 Samardzija, who's expected to become a free agent this offseason,
allowed two runs in seven innings during the White Sox's 4-2 win to
start a series against the Royals (90-67).
First baseman Jose Abreu went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and center
fielder Adam Eaton went 2-for-4 and hit a two-run homer to lead the
White Sox (74-83).
Chicago's bullpen preserved a slim lead handed over by Samardzija,
with three relievers combining to keep the Royals scoreless in the
final two innings. Right-hander David Robertson retired the side in
order in the ninth for his 33rd save.
Samardzija (11-13), from nearby Valparaiso, Ind., threw strong
outings in back-to-back starts, after throwing a complete-game
shutout Sept. 21 at the Detroit Tigers in his previous start.
Right-hander Johnny Cueto started for Kansas City and took the loss
after allowing all three runs on eight hits in six innings.
Samardzija allowed eight hits, including back-to-back solo homers by
Eric Hosmer (2-for-4) and Kendrys Morales (1-for-3) in the sixth,
but didn't walk anybody. He threw 80 of his 111 pitches for strikes
and got some defensive help from left fielder Trayce Thompson to
escape the seventh without allowing a run.
After a two-out single put speedy shortstop Alcides Escobar on
first, Royals second baseman Ben Zobrist hit a line drive to the gap
in left center field. Thompson got a good jump and laid out to make
a diving catch for the third out, preventing what would've been a
run-scoring hit to tie the game.
Thompson also scored a key run in the eighth, when he walked and
scored from first on a double by shortstop Alexei Ramirez that gave
Chicago a two-run cushion.
[to top of second column] |
The White Sox rewarded Samardzija for the scoreless start to his
outing by giving him a 3-0 lead after five innings. After scoring a
run on a walk and back-to-back singles in the third, Eaton launched
his 14th homer of the season in the fifth with a runner on base.
NOTES: Kendrys Morales was Kansas City's DH on Tuesday. It was his
first start since being hit on the right ankle by a pitch Saturday.
Morales pinch hit Monday at the Chicago Cubs after missing a game
Sunday. ... White Sox manager Robin Ventura said RHP Jeff
Samardzija's start Tuesday night might have been his last one of the
season. If so, it could also be the last start with the White Sox
for Samardzija, who becomes an unrestricted free agent in the
offseason. ... Ventura said there's a chance that rookie RHPs Erik
Johnson and Frankie Montas could start the final two games of the
season on Saturday and Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.
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