White Sox Waste Solid Start from James Shields

White Sox offense shutout for third consecutive game, waste solid start from James Shields. Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker pitches first complete game shutout of career.

The White Sox began the second half of the 2016 season in striking distance for one of the two Wild Cart spots in the American League. After Saturday’s contest against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the White Sox appear to be closer to falling out of contention.

Matt Shoemaker pitched the first complete game shutout of his career as the Angels defeated the White Sox 1-0 on Saturday. The loss for the White Sox was the team’s third consecutive shutout, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 1968.

This is not the start the White Sox needed coming out of the All-Star break. Unfortunately for James Shields, the White Sox wasted one of his best starts so far this season. Shields pitched eight innings giving up just one earned run. Shields allowed just two hits against the Angels.The Angels scored on a groundout by Mike Trout with Yunel Escobar on third base. Escobar began the game offensively for the Angels with a leadoff triple.

With the loss, the White Sox lost its second consecutive series to a last place team. The White Sox have also been held scoreless in 32 consecutive innings. Shoemaker notched 13 strikeouts and allowed no walks on Saturday.

The White Sox offense couldn’t get many scoring opportunities against Shoemaker, as they once again looked foolish at the plate. Eaton, Abreu and Cabrera had all of the White Sox six hits on Saturday. Each player had two hits against the Angels. The White Sox have been shutout in six of its last seven losses since June 28.

The White Sox offense best chance to score came in the ninth inning. Adam Eaton began the inning with a double, and later moved to third base off a single by Melky Cabrera. Todd Frazier and Justin Morneau both struck out to end the game.

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With an easier schedule against the Atlanta Braves and Angels, the White Sox were expected to continue its series winning streak. The White Sox will need to score runs to avoid a sweep by the Angels on Sunday. If the White Sox offense can’t began to score runs consistently soon, this team could quickly fall out of contention for the postseason.