Jose Quintana hopes to solve some command issues on Thursday when the Chicago White Sox wrap up four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.
Quintana did not get a decision on Saturday against Seattle, as he allowed three runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 5-4 win. However, he also walked four batters for the second straight start.
Still and all, the lefty, who is 5-2 with a 2.86 ERA this season, has allowed just nine runs in four starts this month.
After losing the first two games of this set Chicago got itself back into the win column on Wednesday, as Gordon Beckham went 3-for-4 with three RBI and Alexei Ramirez collected three hits, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs in the White Sox' 8-1 triumph. Alex Rios had two RBI and Dayan Viciedo had two hits and drove in a run for Chicago, which has won seven of its last nine.
The White Sox moved three games up on the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central with a big three-game set between the two set to get underway this weekend at Comerica Park.
Dylan Axelrod (2-2) allowed one run on three hits and struck out five over 7 1/3 innings. He retired 13 batters in a row before issuing a walk to J.J. Hardy in the eighth.
"They talk about me being a stopper, I'm not that," Axelrod said. "I came out with that mindset of, you know, putting forth my best effort to get the team back onto a winning track. Hopefully it carries over into tomorrow, and then into Detroit (next series)."
Omar Quintanilla knocked in the lone run for the Orioles, who had a four-game winning streak stopped and saw their lead for the second AL wild card trimmed to just a half-game on the Tampa Bay Rays.
Baltimore is also just 3 1/2 games back of the New York Yankees in the AL East and will travel to the Bronx for a three-game set beginning on Friday.
Joe Saunders (0-1) was saddled with the loss after giving up seven runs -- six earned -- on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings in his Baltimore debut.
"I just told myself to keep making pitches and things would fall my way," Saunders said. "I just tried to keep the team in the game as best I could. They turned some double plays for me, but we just fell short tonight."
The Orioles will rely on righty Zach Britton in the finale. Britton won his second straight start on Friday against Detroit, as he allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings to run his record to 3-1, while lowering his ERA to 5.59.
"I would say (I am) a little more confident," Britton said. "I feel good out on the mound. Right now I'm executing pitches a lot better. There's still some room for improvement, which is good."
Baltimore is 5-2 this season against the White Sox.
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