Lucas Giolito is still trying to earn what seems to be his elusive 15th win of the season after losing his third straight decision on Thursday. The White Sox ace allowed five earned runs with the big blow coming in the sixth, when Hunter Dozier hit a three-run homer to break a 2-2 tie, leading a 6-3 Royals win.
Yet, even the few times Giolito has struggled this season he’s still displayed his dominant stuff. In six innings on Thursday Giolito struck out 12 batters, the sixth time in 2019 the right-hander has recorded double-digit strikeouts.
The last time a right-handed pitcher for the White Sox had more 10+ strikeout games in a season than Giolito was all the way back in 1910.
After the Royals took a 2-0 lead with a sac-fly in the second inning Giolito dominated their lineup. Starting in the third inning, Giolito struck out eight hitters in a row. Seven of the eight consecutive strikeouts were on swings and misses, including the first six!
The eight straight strikeouts set a new White Sox record.
Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t bail Giolito out in the series finale. The White Sox have now lost Giolito’s last four starts, scoring a combined 11 runs in those games.
The White Sox were 16-9 when Giolito pitched before this current four-start losing streak.
Giolito will have three more starts this season and he’ll continue to add to his breakout year.
Obviously the biggest factor in Giolito’s turnaround has been his command. After 90 walks last year, he’s only allowed 57 so far in 2019.
