Rodon, Thompson Lead White Sox Past Angels, 3-0
CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Rodon threw seven scoreless innings, Trayce Thompson hit his first career home run and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels, 3-0, on Tuesday night.
Rodon (5-4) had struggled in his previous four starts, going 1-2 with a 9.33 ERA. He did considerably better Tuesday, striking out a career-high 11, allowing four hits and finishing seven innings for the first time for the White Sox, who have won the first two of the three-game series.
Hector Santiago (7-6) was making his first start at U.S. Cellular Field since being acquired by Los Angeles from the White Sox in a December 2013 three-team deal. He pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up three runs and four hits while striking out four.
That wasn't enough to prevent the Angels from losing their eighth straight on the road, their longest streak since dropping nine in July 1993.
Los Angeles also fell 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the AL West race, with the Astros playing late Tuesday at San Francisco.
Melky Cabrera gave Chicago the lead in the fourth with his two-run double against Santiago. Thompson put the White Sox in front 3-0 with two outs in the fifth when his towering drive landed a couple rows into the deep left-center field stands.
Thompson, the son of former NBA player Mychal and brother of current Golden State Warriors star Klay, was playfully ignored in the Chicago dugout until making it almost to the end of the bench before getting mobbed by his teammates.
David Robertson picked up his 23rd save in 28 tries for Chicago by pitching a perfect ninth.
Los Angeles' best chance came in the eighth. With one out, Chicago's Zach Duke allowed a Shane Victorino single before walking Kole Calhoun. Jake Petricka replaced Duke, and Mike Trout grounded to Jose Abreu but his throw to second was dropped by Alexei Ramirez to load the bases.
Petricka ended the inning when he fielded Albert Pujols' tapper and flipped to home for the force and Tyler Flowers threw to first for the double play.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: LHP C.J. Wilson (left elbow) had an evaluation Tuesday but there was no update on how the appointment went. Wilson is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
White Sox: INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio (left oblique) was sent to Triple-A Charlotte on a rehab assignment, while OF J.B. Shuck (left hamstring) took fly balls before the game.
UP NEXT
Angels LHP Andrew Heaney (5-1, 2.45) faces Chicago LHP John Danks (6-9, 4.79). Heaney has a 1.83 ERA on the road, while Danks is 3-4 with a 3.11 ERA lifetime against the Angels.
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