Gonsalves struggles in MLB debut, Twins lose 8-5
MINNEAPOLIS -- Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox were thinking about Rick Renteria all night long.
They banded together to get their hospitalized manager one of his favorite presents: another win.
Giolito struck out six in six innings, Matt Davidson homered and the White Sox spoiled Stephen Gonsalves' major league debut by holding off the Minnesota Twins for an 8-5 victory on Monday.
Chicago played without the 56-year-old Renteria after he was taken to a hospital for lightheadedness. He was going to stay overnight for observation.
"Our thoughts and prayers were with him the whole evening," said bench coach Joe McEwing, who ran the team in Renteria's absence. "He's always in our mind. He's such an amazing leader and amazing person."
Renteria was at the ballpark when the issue arose and was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center as a precaution. A team official said Renteria went through tests, but didn't have any further information.
"Got to the field and I noticed Ricky wasn't here, and that's obviously concerning," Giolito said. "We just grinded through it without our manager. Joe's done a fantastic job in the situations he's had to manage and team came together and we got a good win."
Chicago won for the fourth time in five games in the makeup of snowed-out April contest. Davidson drove in three runs, and Jose Abreu had two hits and two RBIs.
Giolito (9-9) allowed three runs and five hits in his second straight win. The right-hander has a 3.24 ERA over his last five road starts.
Jake Cave and Max Kepler homered for the second straight day for Minnesota, which had won five of six.
Gonsalves (0-1) surrendered four runs in just 1 1/3 innings. Considered one of the team's top prospects, Gonsalves gave up six hits, walked two and hit a batter.
"I think it was a little bit more reflected on how many pitches he kind of overthrew and left up in the zone," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We know that the command at times can be a little sketchy and it's what's gotten him into problems along the way."
Giolito entered with a 6.15 ERA and an AL-high 72 walks. He walked two against the Twins.
"I think the big difference from now versus earlier in the season is the ability to make adjustments, whether it be a quick, mechanical adjustment or just mentally locking in a little bit better, focusing better," Giolito said of his progress. "I feel like I'm able to bounce back from a few bad pitches and grind through, especially a night like tonight where command wasn't the best."
Davidson's two-run shot in the seventh extended Chicago's homer streak to 12 games. It's the team's longest streak since hitting at least one in 15 straight games in 2012.
https://youtu.be/CW14lKUzISk
GONSALVES' SHORT DEBUT
The 24-year-old Gonsalves is the fourth Twins starter to make his debut this season. The 6-foot-5 left-hander was the team's minor league pitcher of the year in 2016, but he has been hampered by control problems. He had 65 walks in 120 2/3 minor league innings this season.
Gonsalves allowed two hits and struck out two in a scoreless first inning. But the first five batters reached in the second. Davidson had an RBI single, Abreu doubled in two runs and Gonsalves' night was over after walking Daniel Palka on four pitches.
"I didn't slow it down, I kind of kept letting it get to me," Gonsalves said of his excitement. "I sped up myself, and I finally took a breath after my first walk, shook my cleats out and dusted the mud off. Unfortunately, it kept piling up."
TRAINER'S ROOM
White Sox: OF Leury Garcia left in the fourth inning with a left hamstring strain after trying to run down a liner from Mitch Garver. He will be re-evaluated Tuesday in Chicago.
Twins: RHP Ervin Santana will see hand specialist Thomas Varecka after having to go back on the disabled list with continued problems with the middle finger of his throwing hand. ... Slugger Logan Morrison had hip surgery. Molitor said the labrum was repaired and bone spurs removed. Morrison is out the rest of the season.
UP NEXT
The Twins and White Sox travel to Chicago for a two-game series. Right-hander Michael Kopech, one of baseball's top pitching prospects, is scheduled to make his major league debut on Tuesday. Kopech went 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 126 1/3 innings for Triple-A Charlotte this season. Minnesota starts right-hander Jose Berrios (11-8, 3.75 ERA). Berrios is 2-1 with a 4.10 ERA in five starts since making his first All-Star Game appearance.
