White Sox's Quintana earns first win in month
CHICAGO -- It wasn't easy, but the Chicago White Sox held on to give Jose Quintana a win.
Quintana pitched six effective innings for his first victory in a month, leading the White Sox to a 4-3 decision over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.
Quintana, who entered the night with a major-league-leading and American League-record 17 no-decisions, allowed one run and eight hits while striking out five for his first win since beating the Twins on Aug. 16.
"I feel great," Quintana said. "I feel wonderful because my team (won) tonight."
Quintana (8-6) had to watch in the seventh and ninth innings as his lead and win almost evaporated.
In the seventh, Trevor Plouffe's infield single went off reliever Jake Petricka's left wrist, bringing in Darin Mastroianni to cut the Chicago lead to 4-2. Oswaldo Arcia then grounded into a fielder's choice, but second baseman Gordon Beckham's relay throw was errant, allowing Brian Dozier to score from second.
Matt Lindstrom struck out Josh Willingham and got Josmil Pinto to ground to third, keeping Chicago's lead at 4-3.
Then with one out in the ninth against closer Addison Reed, Plouffe flied out to deep center, with Alejandro De Aza making a catch against the wall. Chicago shortstop Alexei Ramirez ended the game by making a diving catch on an Alex Presley liner, preserving Reed's 38th save in 44 tries and Quintana's victory.
"When he leaves and all of a sudden they start somewhat of a rally, you don't want to sit and go down that road," manager Robin Ventura said. "But we've seen it enough this year that a lot of his starts seem to go for naught, but tonight they at least came back and the bullpen did a nice job."
Though it's been a long season for the White Sox, they've found some recent success against Minnesota.
Dayan Viciedo, batting in the No. 3 spot for the first time this year, was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and provided just enough offense for the White Sox one day after their 12-1 victory in the series opener.
Chicago had lost 15 of 17 and six straight before winning the first two of the Minnesota series, increasing its run of success against the Twins to five straight games. The White Sox also locked up their first series victory since taking two of three against the Houston Astros from Aug. 26-28.
Quintana has established himself as part of Chicago's future but hasn't recorded the victories to prove it. On Tuesday, that changed for at least one night.
"I don't know if it's going to make you better. He's done a very good job," Ventura said. "He's been very mature about it ... not pointing any fingers or showing any emotion when he's walking through the clubhouse."
Twins starter Mike Pelfrey (5-13) has struggled against Chicago, and that trend continued Tuesday as Minnesota lost for the sixth time in seven games.
In 4 1/3 innings, Pelfrey allowed nine hits and three runs. Pelfrey fell to 0-3 facing the White Sox this season, and he hasn't won since beating the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 20.
"It's definitely not how I envisioned finishing the year," Pelfrey said.
Still, the Twins almost got Pelfrey off the hook and denied Quintana the win, but they were hurt by leaving 10 runners on base.
"We had big chances there to tie the game up or even take the lead," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They made some big pitches when they had to, and (it's) a tough one for us because the guys were into it pretty good."
For once, that meant the improving Quintana earned a victory. Since his previous win, Quintana was 0-2 in five starts despite a 3.03 ERA.
"He's the same every day," Ventura said. "He just wants to win. And he wants us to win first and hopefully he gets the win, but he really hasn't shown a lot of emotions other than if we lose or not. Him pitching, he's getting better all the time. You'd just like to see him get those wins."
NOTES: C Joe Mauer, out since Aug. 19 with a concussion, worked out at home Tuesday and is doing well in his recovery, Twins GM Terry Ryan said. Mauer might go to Target Field on Wednesday, and it's possible he could rejoin the Twins when they start a four-game series Thursday in Oakland. ... White Sox LHP Hector Santiago's next start will be pushed back. The White Sox announced their rotation for this weekend against Detroit, and Santiago is not scheduled to take his turn Friday. Santiago is 4-9 with a 3.53 ERA in 142 2/3 innings, and 0-2 with a 5.21 ERA in his last four starts. ... RHP Liam Hendriks' next start for Minnesota is unclear. Hendriks gave up seven runs in two-thirds of an inning Monday, and he dropped to 1-3 with a 6.87 ERA. RHP Cole De Vries is the other possibility to start in Hendriks' spot, which is due Sunday in Oakland. ... OF Avisail Garcia was not in the Chicago lineup for the third straight day. His wife gave birth to the couple's first child Monday. ... Wednesday's pitching matchup is Minnesota LHP Scott Diamond (5-11, 5.71 ERA) against Chicago LHP John Danks (4-13, 4.73).
