DETROIT — The White Sox’ offense mostly has held its own without injured slugger Munetaka Murakami, but it had little punch Sunday.
The Sox had four hits, scoring only on Sam Antonacci’s leadoff home run, in a 4-1 loss. After the homer, the Sox didn’t get another hit until the seventh inning. Their only significant threat came in the ninth, when they put two men on with two outs, but Drew Romo lined out to center field to end it.
“We’ve been so good offensively, even the last couple [games], sometimes you just get beat,” manager Will Venable said. “And I think today was one of those days.”
Venable thought the Sox’ pitching kept them in the game. Sean Newcomb, who took a line drive off his left arm Wednesday against the Yankees, began a bullpen day with three perfect innings. And after Tyler Davis walked the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth, Joe Rock fanned pinch hitter Jahmai Jones to end it.
But after retiring the first two batters in the fifth, Rock allowed a walk and two singles, tying the game. In the sixth, he allowed three hits and a walk, and the Tigers took a 3-1 lead.
“A couple of the lefties that he faced, I would’ve liked [him] to handle and get out,” Venable said. “But overall, our pitching staff did a good enough job to keep us in that ballgame. Offensively, we just couldn’t get anything going.”
Venable said Tigers starter Troy Melton stymied the Sox with his fastball and cutter. Venable gave Randal Grichuk, who has been one of the team’s most productive players since arriving last month, a rare start against a right-hander. It didn’t work out; he went 0-for-4.
Rotation vacancy
The Sox hope to have more options on their next turn through the rotation to fill the spot that required a bullpen day.
Lefty Noah Schultz is scheduled for a rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Charlotte, but he might need one more before being recalled. David Sandlin, who pitched in three games in his first major-league stint this season, is ramping up at Charlotte and was set to pitch Saturday night. Mason Adams, who rocketed up to Charlotte this season, is another option.
“It’s continuing to build right now,” Venable said of those options. “Those guys are still building back, and we decided to have those guys be options down the road. There was a time this year where it felt like there were maybe four guys down there that could be options for you. So it’s always moving at different spots through different times of the year.”
Newcomb threw his hat into the ring as an option. He began his career as a starter with the Braves in 2017, and he made five starts for the Red Sox last season.
“I always love the length, just innings, wherever I can get them,” Newcomb said. “And something that’s at the beginning of the game is nice. I prep pretty good. I was looking for that all year, so I was glad to get one.
“Whatever they want to call it or whatever they want to do, I’m open to opening, long open, starter, whatever you want to call it. I’m open to pitching a bunch of innings.”
Almost Teel time
Venable received a good report after catcher Kyle Teel’s rehab outing Friday, when he went 5-for-6 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored while catching all nine innings for Charlotte. Teel is returning from a sprained right knee he suffered while rehabbing from a strained right hamstring.
“He’s feeling strong and healthy after that,” Venable said. “That’s a long day on both sides of the plate. Obviously, love the hits, but most importantly, he was able to get nine innings under his belt and came out of it feeling good.”
Teel was set to be Charlotte’s DH on Saturday night.