It was a perfect night of baseball for the White Sox Sunday at Rate Field. Sure, a 10-1 victory over the Twins to win the weekend series greatly enhanced the cause. But it was everything that went into the final score that proved to be even more essential. Sean Burke, who has emerged as the staff ace, was pushed from Sunday’s trip to the mound to Tuesday’s series opener against the Pirates at home. The move gives the right-hander two extra days of rest and potentially sets him up to pitch again in the crucial first game against the Guardians in Cleveland on Sept. 14. Manager Will Venable elected to go with a bullpen game without a bulk man and Bryan Hudson, Jordan Hicks, Hagen Smith, Grant Taylor and Tyler Davis combined to strike out 15 against one walk and four hits allowed. There’s no flaws seen within that combined pitching line. “Nights like this really show what we’re capable of, as a pitching staff and as a team,” said catcher Kyle Teel, whose three-run homer during a five-run eighth capped the team’s scoring. “It’s just taking it day by day, and they did a phenomenal job.” “The plan worked,” Venable said. “Everyone did a great job. They came out, they executed, got the outs we needed. The line for the bullpen speaks for itself.” Venable had special praise for Smith (3-1), who was extended to a career-high three innings. The southpaw was pushed because he retired all nine hitters faced, meaning the opposition is 5-for-52 against Smith to go with a 0.56 ERA over his first 10 career outings. Smith earned the victory. But when he was informed postgame, didn’t seem overly moved by the individual accolade. “You get the win,” a reporter said to Smith. “Did I?” he asked with a smile. “You do,” the reporter responded. “We got the win,” Smith added with a little extra emphasis. “Ok, but you get the win,” the reporter continued with a laugh. “That’s cool, I guess,” Smith said. “As long as we win, it’s all good.”
