The Chicago White Sox attempt to stay hot as they take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the third portion of a four-game set in the Golden State.
Chris Sale extended his scoreless innings streak to 23, fanned 12 and surrendered just three hits and three walks on Friday to help the White Sox pick up a 3-0 victory. Addison Reed earned his 14th save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning as Chicago picked up its fourth win in a row.
Alex Rios and Adam Dunn smacked solo homers for Chicago, which is now just one game below the .500 mark on the road. Rios, who is riding a 12-gme hitting streak, has now homered in back-to-back games. Left fielder Dayan Viciedo was also productive on Friday as he went 2-for-4 to raise his season batting average to .288.
Hector Santiago will hope to find the same type of success as he takes the mound for the visitors on Saturday. The left-hander gave up six runs, three of which were earned, on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings in the White Sox's 10-3 loss to the Twins on Monday.
"I had a few pitches that I felt could have been better, left a few in the zone," Santiago said. "It was one of those games. You make some pitches and try to get out of stuff and it just went the opposite way."
White Sox manager Robin Ventura was not pleased with his team's focus in Santiago's last appearance.
"We have to be better," Ventura said. "We have to work at it. Hector's grinding and he gets into a situation and we have to help him out. I think there are lapses of knowing what's going on."
Santiago's stay in the starting rotation for Chicago may be nearing its end. The injured John Danks is inching closer to a return and Santiago's name has surfaced in trade rumors.
Chicago should be able to provide more support for Santiago in this one as it takes on Joe Blanton, who has still not registered a win in an Angels uniform. Blanton surrendered seven runs in only 4 2/3 innings against Kansas City on Monday.
"I felt like I threw the ball good tonight," Blanton said. "When they made contact, it found holes -- broken bats fell in, infield singles, bunts found their way down the line. It was one of those weird games. I felt I had good stuff, but when they made contact, it found holes. Not a lot you can do about that."
Although the 32-year old starter has been handed a losing decision in each of his past four outings, the previous three prior to Monday were all quality starts.
The Angels had no answer for Sale on Friday. Erick Aybar, Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Luis Jimenez and Albert Pujols all went hitless in the club's third straight loss. The offense has faltered in recent weeks with only one game with six or more runs over the last seven.
The White Sox lost two of three to the Angels in a Windy City series earlier his season and have still dropped nine of the past 15 meetings between the teams.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.