Good year, bad month for Rodon
MINNEAPOLIS — Left-hander Carlos Rodon’s disappointing September ended on a woefully ineffective note Saturday in the White Sox’ 8-3 loss to the Twins — a second-inning knockout that sends him into the offseason with a 9.22 ERA in six starts this month.
Making his last start of a season that began with renewed promise, Rodon was pulled with no outs and the bases full in the second inning trailing 5-1. He walked four, allowed six hits and was charged with eight runs, needing 66 pitches (34 thrown for strikes) to get three outs, his ERA climbing to 4.18.
In his previous outing, Rodon (6-8) lasted 2„ innings against the Cubs, allowing six runs and nine hits with no walks, looking nowhere near the pitcher who was 5-0 with a 1.84 ERA in July and August.
That’s about as bad as it could’ve ended for Rodon, who’s being counted on as a leader in the Sox’ up-and-coming rotation. On the plus side, a year and a day removed from shoulder surgery, Rodon felt strong and his stuff was good, he and manager Rick Renteria said.
“A lot of pitches were somewhat center-cut,’’ Renteria said. Location, location, location. “Stuff felt great, arm felt great and body felt good,’’ Rodon said. “It’s just, when you can’t get secondary pitches over the plate, they are going to sit heater, and they are going to tee off, especially when you leave balls over the middle and fall behind. It’s a recipe for disaster.’’
Rodon wanted to feel good about more than his health going into the offseason, but he’ll take it.
“There’s some doubt in the beginning when you have shoulder surgery,’’ he said. “Am I going to come back the same and is everything going to feel the same? I had some clarity coming back this year and pitching and ate some innings. I had some fun. Even though this last month hasn’t gone the way I liked, it was good to be back.’’
Sox to pick third in 2019 draft
The loss ensured the Sox will finish with the third-worst record in baseball, which gives them the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft. The Orioles and Royals will pick first and second, respectively.
The Sox must win their last game Sunday to avoid a four-game series sweep and the fourth 100loss season in franchise history.
Moncada in select company
Yoan Moncada hit his 30th and 31st doubles to become the first Sox player 23 or younger with 30 or more doubles, 15 or more homers, 60 or more RBI and 10 or more stolen bases.
Moncada became the fifth Sox player 23 or younger to have 30 doubles, 15 homers and 60 RBI in a season, joining Chet Lemon (1977), Frank Thomas (’91), Paul Konerko (’99) and Carlos Lee (’99).
Strikeout record
The Sox made quick work of setting the major-league record for strikeouts in a season as Moncada led off with a strikeout looking against Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson (10-13) to tie the Brewers’ mark of 1,571 set last season, and Yolmer Sanchez followed by getting called out on strikes. With nine K’s, the Sox’ total is at 1,579.
Aches and pains
Shortstop Tim Anderson left the game with a sore left knee, and catcher Omar Narvaez exited with a stiff lower back.