video thumbnail

Noesi fans seven over eight solid innings

Whether the White Sox win or lose, don't expect manager Robin Ventura to change his demeanor. That much has been evident during the team's current nine-game winning streak, which ties its longest streak since July 4-15, 2010

So if the White Sox stretch that to 10 games on Saturday against the Mariners, don't expect anything different from the first-year manager.

"I don't think I do anything," Ventura said. "This has been going on since Day One. They understand how I'm going about it, and I think they realize the stretch that they're on eventually ends. So enjoy the good streak and don't get too low in the low ones, and I've always felt like that works.

"There's never a point where you're just satisfied, because the game is cruel and it can turn at any minute. Everybody's pretty much been through that before. You have guys that understand it, and we understand it as a staff. The focus is still just playing the game. It's about effort. We might lose tonight, but it's how you play and how you go about it that I'm more concerned about."

The Mariners hope first baseman Justin Smoak can help send the White Sox to their first loss in 10 games. Smoak enters the game hitting .333 with nine runs, six home runs and 18 RBIs in his previous 19 games. He began the torrid stretch hitting just .173, but is now up to .238.

"A switch-hitter with power that has a chance to have presence in the middle of your lineup, it's a big difference," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "He's going about it the right way. I think he really has an idea of what he needs to do to be successful and what he needs to do with his work and it's starting to pay off for him."

Mariners: Noesi looking for run support
Although Saturday starter Hector Noesi hasn't recorded a win in five decisions, he has worked eight innings the last two times out, both losses. The right-hander gave up three runs apiece in those losses, and just one run in a no-decision the previous outing.

"It's been a lot of fun watching him progress," Wedge said. "He's consistently getting us deep into ballgames and giving us every opportunity to win. I can't say enough about his performance."

White Sox: Recent success by Floyd against Mariners
Gavin Floyd gets the start for the White Sox on Saturday and has fared well against the Mariners of late. In his last five starts against Seattle, Floyd is 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA. The right-hander will hope his numbers against the Mariners will be reflected in his performance Saturday, not the 1-2 record and 12.89 ERA he has posted in his last three appearances.

Worth noting
The White Sox chased Noesi in the second inning on April 20, as the right-hander lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits and walking two in his second appearance against the White Sox. He allowed a solo home run to Adam Dunn in one inning of relief while pitching for the Yankees in 2011.

MLB.com Comments