White Sox, Twins meet again after transaction-filled day
The Minnesota Twins played 18 innings on the day outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. joined them in the big leagues. Wade didn't get into the game Thursday, though it wasn't for lack of trying.
"He was ready," Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli said. "I mean, trust me, he was not down on the end of the bench not paying attention. He was locked in."
Wade transferred that focus to his major league debut against the Chicago White Sox the following night, and continues to be a developing cog in the outfield for the Twins, who close a three-game weekend series in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.
With mounting injuries among lineup regulars creating an opening, Wade is optimistic about making the most of his chance. His energy was evident in his response to the first pitch he saw in the majors Friday -- a second-inning offering from Ross Detwiler that hit him in the shoulder.
"Oh, but it was great, though," Wade said. "I honestly didn't feel anything. So much adrenaline, so much excitement to get to first base."
It may sound counterintuitive, but Sunday's scheduled White Sox starter, right-hander Lucas Giolito might not mind a baserunner or two against the Twins. Giolito (10-2, 2.87 ERA) admittedly was shaky with men aboard in Monday's start against the Boston Red Sox, as he was unable to hold leads of 2-0 and 3-2 while pitching 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision.
"I want, I need more experience in those big moments," Giolito said. "Bases loaded, holding on to a lead. I failed that time, walking in (the) tying run. I was very frustrated after the game, but I realized I'm not going to kill it in every situation.
"I need to learn from my mistakes. I can't wait 'til I'm in that situation again."
Giolito is set to make his seventh career start against the Twins. He is 2/3 with a 5.63 ERA against Minnesota but has not faced the club this season amid a resurgence from last season's struggles. These days, Giolito is developing into the leader of a young, budding rotation.
"Anything can happen," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "I think they can settle down even more. We just want to make sure that the starting rotation we do have, the ones that need to improve continue to improve and the ones who do well, make a consistent approach through the rest of it."
Left-hander Lewis Thorpe is slated to start for Minnesota, becoming the latest Twin to make his big league debut. The Twins recalled Thorpe, a 23-year-old native of Australia, from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
Right-hander Kyle Gibson initially was set to start, but the club postponed his next start until Wednesday. Baldelli announced on Saturday that Thorpe would start instead.
The Twins canceled Gibson's usual throwing session between starts after he appeared in relief for the first time in his career during Thursday's 18-inning home loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Gibson threw 11 pitches in one inning of scoreless relief after working seven innings of four-run, seven hit ball to defeat the Rays on Tuesday.
--Field Level Media
