Tigers beat Sox 6-1; Giolito struggles with command

The Chicago White Sox lost today’s game in the second inning.

Michael Fulmer was struggling with his control early on, allowing the first three batters in the inning to reach base, two via the base on balls.

Yolmer Sanchez worked the count to 3-1 with the bases loaded, but hit a soft fly ball to center field that was not deep enough for Nicky Delmonico to score.

Fulmer then got Adam Engel to strike out on a 3-2 fastball and Yoan Moncada to ground out to the second baseman.

The White Sox would not score until the seventh inning, when Avisail Garcia hit a bullet to left field that was caught, but scored Moncada.

The pitching wasn’t much better.

Lucas Giolito had a clean first two innings but ran into some trouble in the third.

The Tigers remained patient as Giolito struggled with his command, not giving in to his wildness, walking two times and taking a hit by pitch.

Miguel Cabrera then shot a ball through the right side with two outs to give Detroit an early 2-0 lead.

Giolito would struggle through the rest of his 5 ⅔ innings, fighting his control. He finished the day throwing only 49 strikes on 94 pitches. He’s had better outings.

Hector Santiago replaced the tall righthander and covered 2 ⅓ innings of shutout ball. He was good. Juan Minaya, on the other hand, was really bad. Minaya came on in the ninth and walked four straight hitters before getting yanked. He now has a 27.00 ERA on the season — which might stick for a while, because immediately after the game, Minaya was optioned to Charlotte (AAA), with a corresponding move to be made before tomorrow’s game.

If you’re looking for silver linings in an otherwise lackluster loss, the Sox had some hard-hit balls today that would have been no-doubt home runs in the summer.

Tim Anderson crushed a ball to right-center field that the wind just killed. The shortstop also added a walk today, bringing his season total to four (!).

Moncada and Sanchez also had home runs taken away because of the weather. Both sides had to play in the conditions, but the White Sox continue to square up the ball.

The loss drops the White Sox to 3-4 and under .500 for the first time this season.