White Sox: James Shields Has Rough Performance Against Padres

Feb 23, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (33) poses for a photo during Spring Training Media Day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (33) poses for a photo during Spring Training Media Day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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White Sox veteran struggled against his former team in outing on Monday. The right hander unable to pitch three innings.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields had a rough outing on Monday against the Padres, his former team. Shields pitched 2.2 innings giving up four runs, two earned and walking three batters.

The veteran pitcher couldn’t get through the third inning on Monday in a 6-5 loss to the Padres at Camelback Ranch. The outing was Shields second of Spring Training, but his worst performance so far. Although Shields had a solid outing in his first appearance this spring, he was unable to replicate his previous success.

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Shields pitched decent through the first two innings of Monday’s game, but then he ran into trouble in the third inning. After starting the third inning with a walk to Jabari Blash, Shields gave up a single to Collin Cowgill. Shields walked Erick Aybar in the next at bat to load the bases. Yangervis Solarte hit a two run single to put the Padres ahead 2-1.

After getting Wil Myers out on a popout and striking out Hunter Renfroe, Shields made a throwing error at first base on ball hit by Allen Cordoba. This led to Aybar and Solorte scoring to increase the Padres lead to 4-1. Shields would exit after the throwing error and saw his ERA for the spring climb to 5.79.

For Sox fans, seeing Shields have another poor outing isn’t surprising. Although he was able to get through two innings, Shields walking two batters and then committing a throwing error isn’t something anyone wants to see even for a rebuilding team.

The Sox won’t have a strong starting rotation this season after Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon, and they will most likely use Shields as the fifth starter. Despite his struggles last season, Shields can still provide the Sox some value for the upcoming season. Although he won’t be the same pitcher he was with the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals.

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With Shields recent struggles, he will need to focus on having a better performance in his next outing. The Sox will have Tuesday off before facing the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday.