Anthony Ranaudo is coming back up from Class AAA Charlotte to start against the Indians tonight at Cleveland.
He should know what to expect.
The White Sox first called up Ranaudo on July 27, and the 6-foot-7 pitcher took the mound against a powerful Cubs team at Wrigley Field.
Even though he struggled badly in 2 relief outings with the Rangers early in the season before the Sox acquired him in a May 12 trade from Texas, Ranaudo delivered a solid start against the Cubs.
The right-hander had a no-hitter going until Kris Bryant homered with one out in the sixth inning. Ranaudo wound up going 6? innings, allowing 3 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks.
While he pitched surprisingly well against the Cubs, Ranaudo was sent back to Charlotte the next day when White Sox ace Chris Sale’s five-game suspension for shredding throwback uniforms expired.
Miguel Gonzalez suffered a strained groin in his last turn for the Sox, and that’s the reason Ranaudo is getting another chance to start.
“The way he pitched the last time, he’s down there (at Charlotte), he’s stretched out and he’s timed up for this one,” manager Robin Ventura told reporters before Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss at Cleveland. “He’s gone down and got himself ready for this one, and he’s earned it.”
To clear a roster spot for Ranaudo, the White Sox are going to option Carson Fulmer to Charlotte. After going 0-2 with an 8.49 ERA in 8 relief appearances with the Sox, there’s a good chance Fulmer comes back as a starter when rosters expand in September.
When he pitched against Cubs, Ranaudo’s home run in the fifth inning was the extent of the White Sox’s offense in an 8-1 loss.
Scoring runs has been the biggest problem in each of the last four losing seasons for the Sox, and it’s the main reason top starters Sale and/or Jose Quintana could be traded in the off-season for a significant haul of talented young hitters.
Quintana could actually demand a trade and be greeted with applause after yet another wasted start against the Indians on Tuesday night.
Heading into the game, Quintana had the lowest run support average (3.08) among American League starters, and the White Sox’s offense left him hanging again at Progressive Field.
Quintana allowed 2 runs in 6 innings while recording his 18th quality outing in 24 starts this season, but Justin Morneau’s home run with one out in the sixth inning was all the Sox could muster against Cleveland starter Corey Kluber and relievers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.
The Sox (56-62) have lost seven in a row to the Indians (68-49), who are running first in the AL Central.