Solemn night for Jays pitcher
TORONTO Normally Joe Biagini is the comedian of the Blue Jays clubhouse. He cracks jokes with teammates as he ambles from locker to locker, has made an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and can be counted on to give silly answers to reporters.
But after he gave up seven runs, six earned, in an inning-plus of work in Toronto’s 11-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday he was quiet, analytical and even philosophical.
“Hopefully I don’t waste this opportunity to learn from that,” said Biagini as he concluded a nearly three-minute answer where he discussed the breakdown of his mechanics, how it had been an issue he struggled with in the minors, and how he can learn from the experience.
“I think all the frustration can be channelled into improving yourself and making sure that doesn’t happen again, or, very often.”
Jose Quintana (3-8) was solid for Chicago (30-36), striking out five and allowing five hits and just two runs over seven innings. Jake Petricka pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs, with Gregory Infante earning the final out of the game.
Melky Cabrera hit a three-run homer and a two-run double to lead the White Sox offence. Jose Abreu had two hits and drove in three runs, while Alex Hanson had three hits and scored three times.
Biagini (1-6) was followed by relievers Dominic Leone, Jeff Beliveau, Jason Grilli, Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera and Danny Barnes. Leone gave up a run over three innings and Beliveau allowed three more in his inning.
“Obviously, (Biagini) was off, there’s no question about that,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. “He just had trouble throwing strikes. We’ve never seen that out of him before. He was on six days rest because of all those off days, no excuses really.”
Justin Smoak’s two-run blast in the ninth inning was too little, too late for the Blue Jays (32-34). Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce both had solo home runs. It was Pearce’s first game back since May 14. He had been out with a strained right calf.
Biagini, who was promoted to Toronto’s starting rotation from the bullpen as Aaron Sanchez recovers from blisters and nail issues on the middle finger of his throwing hand, said he closely reviewed video of his performance after being pulled in the second inning. He found that he was not staying with his mechanics.