TWO DOWN AND ROUT
Lopez, Jimenez exit as Sox get thumped by Twins in rubber game
Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez’s first start of the season was a disaster.
And the White Sox’ rubber game of a three-game series against the AL Central defending champion Twins couldn’t have been worse.
It was over in the blink of an eye, as nine Twins scored against a sore-shouldered Lopez and his likely replacement in the bullpen, lefty Gio Gonzalez, if Lopez can’t make his next start, in the first two innings of a 14-2 drubbing that sent the Sox to Cleveland to start an eight-game road trip wondering how good they’re going to be in this 60-game season.
The Sox will have to pitch better if they want to contend — they gave up four homers Sunday and 27 runs in the series — and they might have to do so without Lopez, who allowed a grand slam to Jake Cave in the first inning before leaving with shoulder tightness. The blast into the Sox’ bullpen left Eloy Jimenez shaken after he banged his head on a hard portion of the wall. He left the game later with lightheadedness.
Lopez said his shoulder felt sore at the start of the game and got worse as the first inning went on.
“The pain didn’t let me fully concentrate in the game or every pitch,” Lopez said. “It’s very difficult to pitch when you’re feeling something like that. I tried to battle through it.”
After Lopez gave in, Gonzalez, signed as a free agent to shore up the starting rotation but working in long relief, got clobbered for five more runs in the second and one in the fourth. Gonzalez faced 10 batters in the second inning.
“We’ll figure it out,” manager Rick Renteria said. “We have to move forward. I want to put this one in the can, to be honest. I don’t expect this type of performance as we move forward. This is done, this is over.”
Lopez will be re-evaluated Monday, as will Jimenez, who was making hard contact at almost everything he swung at in the first two games of the series.
“We’ll have a better idea tomorrow where they’re at,” Renteria said.
The Twins and right-hander Kenta Maeda were in a state of bliss leading 9-0 after two innings. Nelson Cruz homered twice and drove in seven runs. He collected three homers and 10 RBI against Sox pitching this weekend.
The Sox entered the season believing they will challenge the Twins and rise to the top of the division, or near it.
“Should we pitch as I believe we can and if all our offensive pieces are healthy and we’re able to get them out there, I think we will fare well against them,” Renteria said.
Perhaps Cave said it best: “I actually think they’re going to have a good team. I just think we’re a better team.”
After posting a 3.91 ERA in 32 starts in 2018, Lopez had a 5.38 ERA in 32 starts last year, and Renteria said the Sox’ hopes of contending in 2020 are tied to a Lopez turnaround, as well as good performances from Dylan Cease and Carlos Rodon, who complete the rotation after Opening Day starter Lucas Giolito (seven runs allowed in 3‰ innings in the opener) and Dallas Keuchel (two runs in 5„ innings).
Lopez has been healthy and dependable since the Sox acquired him in the Adam Eaton trade in 2016. He said the soreness is new to him, and it was reflected in his low 90s velocity Sunday.
“I wish there were some preindicators to know what was going on, but everything before the game started, he looked good,” Renteria said.
“Hopefully it’s not something serious,” Lopez said.