BOSTON — White Sox right-hander Jonathan Cannon knows he can’t walk hitters. It’s a free pass, which is a killer when he has the pitch arsenal and stuff to pound the strike zone.
Cannon ran into trouble during the third inning of the Sox’ 4-2 loss Monday to the Red Sox.
After allowing a leadoff double to Jarren Duran and getting Rafael Devers to fly out, Cannon walked Alex Bregman, allowed a single to Trevor Story that scored Duran and walked Wilyer Abreu. Kristian Campbell followed with a single on a good 2-2 sinker that scored Bregman and Story. If Cannon hadn’t walked Bregman, he could have saved at least one run.
Problems putting hitters away and limiting walks have been sore points for Cannon. Entering the game, his walk rate was 13.1% this season after it was 7.7% last season. He finished his outing having allowed four runs and six hits with four walks and four strikeouts in six innings.
‘‘Gotta throw more strikes,’’ Cannon said. ‘‘It’s really that simple. I thought the stuff was good. When I was ahead in the count, no issues. Just kind of beat myself there in the third inning. It’s frustrating. Couple of walks, then you allow those hits to become RBIs.’’
Staying in the zone has been an emphasis for Cannon. When he’s not throwing competitive pitches, his pitch count increases and puts him in danger of having short starts. That’s something the Sox can’t afford with a short-handed pitching staff.
Cannon pitched at least six innings 11 times in his 21 starts last season. Monday was the first time he reached six innings this season, so he made some progress.
‘‘Didn’t really get burned, just put myself in a situation where you can’t really give up a hit,’’ Cannon said. ‘‘It’s a tough way to pitch in this league when you walk guys and put yourself in a situation where you’re going to get burned.’’
Dalbec called up
With rookie infielder Chase Meidroth going on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right thumb, the Sox called up corner infielder Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Charlotte.
Dalbec originally was drafted in the fourth round by the Red Sox in 2016. He made his major-league debut in 2020 by slugging eight home runs in 92 plate appearances, then had his best season with 25 homers and 78 RBI in 133 games in 2021.
Since then, Dalbec has struggled to match his production from that season. He totaled 14 homers in 2022-24 as his playing time diminished and signed a minor-league deal with the Sox during the offseason.
‘‘Full circle,’’ Dalbec said of the opportunity. ‘‘I thought about this situation [returning to Boston] happening. . . . It’s great to be back and see guys after the game, touching base with everyone.’’
Perez update
The Sox moved left-hander Martin Perez (inflammation in pitching elbow) from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. Perez (1-1, 3.15 ERA) left his start Friday against the Red Sox after three innings and went on the 15-day IL on Saturday.