Nova’s turn for better continues
DETROIT — White Sox right-hander Ivan Nova continued his strong second-half surge Wednesday.
It couldn’t have come at a better time. On the day after a day-night doubleheader, Nova gave the Sox’ bullpen a needed break by pitching eight scoreless innings in an 8-1 victory against the Tigers at Comerica Park.
‘‘I looked at him, and he said, ‘I know what you need,’ ’’ manager Rick Renteria said of his exchange with Nova after the seventh inning. ‘‘So he was ready to go back out, and he gave us what he gave us. It was a big pick-me-up by him and everybody to tack on some runs.’’
Nova has picked up his game with a 0.64 ERA in his last four starts and is 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break.
‘‘I knew I had to give my team a good start today,’’ Nova said. ‘‘Four games in three days is not fun.’’
Nova allowed five hits, struck out one and walked three. He got three doubleplay grounders in the first five innings. Reliever Jimmy Cordero allowed a run in the ninth after Nova’s pitch count hit 107 (66 strikes).
Grand Marshall
At 29, reliever Evan Marshall isn’t what you would call a piece of the Sox’ youth movement. But Marshall, who is enjoying his best season since his rookie year (2014) with the Diamondbacks, wants to do his share to move the rebuild to the next level.
‘‘I guess it’s up to them, but I would love to come back here next season,’’ said Marshall, who’ll be eligible for arbitration after the next two seasons. ‘‘You can tell that things are melding toward being a powerhouse in the AL Central. I would love to stick around for that and be here.’’
Marshall has a 2.23 ERA in 34 appearances. Eleven of his last 13 outings have been scoreless.
He has battled his share of injuries during his career. He needed emergency surgery after being struck in the head by a line drive in Class AAA in 2015 and was sidelined by elbow inflammation for much of last season with the Indians.
Marshall, a non-roster invitee to spring training, pitched well in Arizona before opening the season at Class AAA Charlotte, where he didn’t allow an earned run in nine appearances. The Sox purchased his contract May 1.
‘‘It’s really a great group of guys,’’ Marshall said. ‘‘And the coaching staff puts us in position to succeed.’’
Herrera update
Renteria said reliever Kelvin Herrera will throw an inning Thursday at Charlotte and is expected to rejoin the Sox this weekend. Herrera pitched a perfect inning Tuesday at Charlotte.
Herrera, who signed a two-year deal that pays him $8.5 million this season and in 2020, has been a disappointment with a 7.36 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 38 appearances covering 33 innings.
Buckle up
The Sox will face some tougher opponents after taking three of four games from the 33-78 Tigers. A six-game homestand against the Athletics and Astros will be followed by a seven-game trip against the Angels and Twins.
After a seven-game homestand against the Rangers and Twins, they will visit the Braves and Indians into the first week of September.