Garrett Crochet extends scoreless-innings streak to 19 as White Sox blank Blue Jays to snap 4-game skid
TORONTO — Left-hander Garrett Crochet extended his career-high streak of scoreless innings to 19 and held the Blue Jays to two hits in six innings in the White Sox’ 5-0 victory Tuesday.
The Sox (15-34) halted a four-game losing streak and won for the first time on a road trip that started with a sweep at the hands of the Yankees.
Crochet (5-4, 3.75 ERA) struck out four and walked one before turning things over to the bullpen, which did not allow a hit.
‘‘Another good one, another win,’’ Crochet said. ‘‘I felt like I was in pretty good command the whole day.’’
After Crochet threw 85 pitches, John Brebbia, Jordan Leasure and Michael Kopech each pitched a hitless inning.
Offensively, the Sox got an RBI single from Nicky Lopez in the second and a two-run single from Corey Julks in the fifth against Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and a two-run double by Danny Mendick in the eighth against reliever Tim Mayza.
Crochet, who led the American League with 74 strikeouts when the game ended, has a 0.39 ERA in his last four starts.
‘‘It’s pitchability,’’ Crochet said. ‘‘Early in the year, I was trying to blow people away. It worked for a while, but then I got predictable. But overall, [moving the ball] in and out, up and down has been the key for me.’’
Garrett Crochet pic.twitter.com/lfD8KRmZqL
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 22, 2024
Jimenez injured again
Designated hitter Eloy Jimenez strained his left hamstring, his latest injury in a career marred by physical setbacks.
Jimenez appeared to be hurt as he crossed home plate on Julks’ single in the fifth. Gavin Sheets pinch-hit for him in the seventh.
Jimenez missed two weeks in April with a strained adductor, and another stint on the injured list seems likely.
‘‘The tests weren’t bad, but it’s going to take him out of action for at least a couple of days,’’ manager Pedro Grifol said. ‘‘It could be longer. Who knows?’’
Grifol confirms Nastrini to start Wednesday. Clevinger Thursday. pic.twitter.com/wELsipwFAQ
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 22, 2024
Rotation plans
Right-hander Nick Nastrini will be recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to start Wednesday.
Right-hander Mike Clevinger, who had been the scheduled starter, will be pushed back to start Thursday in the rotation spot vacated by right-hander Brad Keller, who was designated for assignment Monday.
Robert Jr., Ramos updates
Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (strained hip flexor) will play five innings Wednesday at the Sox’ complex in Arizona. After a day off Thursday, he will play there this weekend before starting a rehab assignment next week.
The plan for Robert is to play a week’s worth of games at Charlotte.
‘‘We look forward to sending him out on a rehab, and then it becomes day-to-day,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘See what happens.’’
Third baseman Bryan Ramos started his rehab assignment Tuesday at Charlotte. He can come off the 10-day IL on Saturday.
Benintendi sits
A day after saying struggling left fielder Andrew Benintendi was a ‘‘pillar in the lineup,’’ Grifol started utility man Zach Remillard in left against Kikuchi.
‘‘[Benintendi] just had a day off [Sunday], so I’m not going to sit here and tell you he had a day off,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘I’m playing Remillard because I think it’s a better matchup against Kikuchi. It gives ‘Beni’ some time to get some extra work in with [hitting coach] Marcus [Thames] and see if he can get going. I’m not going to feed you any b.s.’’
Benintendi is batting .190/.218/.276 with three home runs. He has started seven games against lefties and is batting .088 against them.