MLB NEWS

Rocky stretch for White Sox pitching staff

The Sports Xchange

August 05, 2015 at 3:53 am.

"Everybody goes through their ruts and pitchers have nights where it doesn't happen," Ventura said. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

“Everybody goes through their ruts and pitchers have nights where it doesn’t happen,” Ventura said. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO — The White Sox pitching staff carried Chicago’s teetering postseason hopes for half the season, but they’re going through some turbulence now that the offense is out of its season-long slumber.

White Sox pitchers allowed 27 runs in a three-game series against the New York Yankees this past weekend and then the bullpen collapsed in three straight innings of a 5-4 loss Monday to start a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. That was before the Rays beat them 11-3 on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field and hung seven runs on left-handed ace Chris Sale.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura, however, is taking a measured approach to the recent pitching blips.

“Everybody goes through their ruts and pitchers have nights where it doesn’t happen,” Ventura said, prior to Sale allowing seven runs for the second straight start. “As far as feeling confident with those guys going out there, you take your chances with these guys and feel confident bringing those guys in (from the bullpen) and doing their job.”

The issue is preventing a recent rough patch from becoming something more troubling.

During the previous five games, White Sox relievers posted a combined 5.49 ERA, and in the loss Monday, some of Chicago’s top relievers gave up key runs late in the game.

That included right-handed closer David Robertson, who entered with the game tied 4-4 in the ninth and allowed the eventual game-winning run on a clutch two-out single by Tampa Bay right fielder Mikie Mahtook.

“In the end, David will come out and put it behind him and come back and he’ll be ready to go today,” Ventura said. “Anybody who comes out of the bullpen and gives up a run, they put it behind them and get ready to go the next day. That’s what you have to do. You forget about yesterday, prepare for today and be ready to go.”

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