Santiago stars in walking dread
Even during left- hander Hector Santiago’s solid start to the season, walks were an issue. That problem surfaced again in the White Sox’ 8- 4 loss Saturday.
Santiago walked six in 3„ innings, and Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario had a home run, drove in five runs and fell a triple short of the cycle. The Sox have lost six of seven and dropped to a seasonworst 13 games below .500 at 9- 22.
Santiago’s ERA went from 3.48 to 6.00. To go with the six walks, Santiago allowed eight runs and six hits. He had walked 10 in 20‰ innings coming in, and his lack of command didn’t help against a team he pitched for from 2016 to 2017.
“I went back and looked at it: Velocity was there, which hasn’t been that good in a while,” Santiago said. “Probably felt too good.”
Sox shortstop Tim Anderson had two home runs for the second time this season. His ninth- inning solo shot off Phil Hughes came after Jose Rondon’s 12- pitch at- bat.
“He tired him out for me,” Anderson said. “He had a great at- bat.”
Singin’ Miguel
Miguel Gonzalez’s right arm isn’t quite ready, but his vocal cords are a different story.
During batting practice, the Mariachi Heritage Foundation was rehearsing on the field for its pregame Cinco de Mayo performance. Manager Rick Renteria pulled Gonzalez, a noted singer, toward the group. Gonzalez then showed his stuff, performing with the group for a few minutes to the delight of the Sox, the other musicians and everyone within earshot.
“I didn’t think I was gonna get all inspired, but I did,” Gonzalez said. “It was fun.”
Gonzalez, nicknamed ‘‘ El Mariachi,’’ joked that he only practices in the shower. And despite his obvious talent, he didn’t want to commit to a post- playing singing career.
“I don’t wanna say something, then later I won’t be able to do it, but I definitely enjoy it,” he said.
Gonzalez has been on the disabled list since April 23 ( retroactive to April 19) with inflammation of his right rotator cuff. Gonzalez threw long toss and said Sunday would be his first bullpen session, which he was excited about. Renteria said a rehab assignment probably would be a necessity.
Feeling better
Catcher Welington Castillo ( abdomen) was back in the lineup after missing the last three games. Renteria said the pain in Castillo’s groin had subsided.
“He felt good [ Friday],’’ Renteria said. ‘‘ He told me he was good to go, and we just decided to give him one more day. I was a little concerned that he went out there to catch between innings, and I thought, ‘ Well, OK, you really do want to get back out there,’ so he did, and he survived that. He’s doing well.”
True appreciation
Sunday is Nurses Appreciation Day, and the Sox gave tickets to the ICU staff at Rush University Medical Center. The tickets went to staff and nurses providing care for reliever Danny Farquhar.