Righty Fulmer admits that 1st can be worst
PITTSBURGH — As it turned out, Carson Fulmer was not alone when he got shelled for five runs in the first inning of his last start. White Sox teammates James
Shields ( four runs), Lucas Giolito ( two) and Reynaldo Lopez ( four) also got dinged up in their first innings after Fulmer set the tone.
“For a lot of pitchers, that first inning is the hardest one to get through,’’ Fulmer said. “You’re trying to feel out what you have that day. When you’re too fresh, you can lose control a little. But we’re all going through that learning process of what exactly works. We started together, and we’ll end together. We’ll figure it out here soon.’’
He had been scheduled to start Wednesday against the Pirates but was pushed back two days in favor of left- hander Hector Santiago, who stopped the trend with five innings of two- run ball. Santiago said he expects to stay in the rotation while Miguel Gonzalez ( shoulder) remains on the mend. Fulmer, meanwhile, knows he has to get untracked. Carlos Rodon ( shoulder) might be back before too long, which would push a starter out. What’s to be done? “Command the zone, get ahead, eliminate free passes and create early contact to go as deep as possible,’’ Fulmer said.
Fulmer, who had a side session Tuesday and will have another “small one” Thursday before his start Friday, said he’s ironing out “a couple of mechanical issues.’’
If Fulmer doesn’t get untracked soon, it will be interesting to see how much patience manager Rick
Renteria and pitching coach Don Cooper will have allowing him to work things out in the rotation.
“I’ve always wanted to be a starter; I am a starter,’’ said Fulmer, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft. “When it comes down to it, starter or reliever, starting is what I want to do. But as long as we put up W’s . . . I have to take hold of my job, which is to get outs.’’ A rest for Tim
Shortstop Tim Anderson had started every game, and with the Sox just beginning a run of 16 con- secutive games without a day off, Renteria left him out of the lineup for a day game after a night game.
Yolmer Sanchez started at shortstop, opening a spot for designated hitter and team home- run leader
Matt Davidson at third base. “I’ve been wanting to give him a break,’’ Renteria said. “Today was the perfect day to do it.’’
Anderson pinch- hit in the ninth and flied out.