Jesse Scholtens, back in the starting role, pitches well for the Chicago White Sox in 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers – The Denver Post

Jesse Scholtens struck out Nathaniel Lowe to end the first inning.

He struck out each of the batters he faced in the second in Adolis García, Josh Jung and Mitch Garver.

Scholtens was back in a starting spot after recent trades. He made the most of the opportunity, allowing one run in six innings Tuesday in a 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.

“The key was sticking to the game plan, keeping things mixed and changing looks on these guys,” Scholtens said. “(Catcher) Seby (Zavala) did a good job of staying with the approach no matter what the situation was.

“Fortunate to get some double plays in there. One pitch kind of bit me but overall we were able to stick with our game plan and carry us through six innings.”

Scholtens retired the first nine batters he faced before allowing a single to Marcus Semien to begin the fourth inning. Scholtens allowed three hits in his outing, two singles to Semien and a solo home run to Mitch Garver in the fifth.

Scholtens struck out six and walked one in the 80-pitch outing.

“He mixed it up,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “He threw his breaking ball, his changeup. He was really good, a good pace. That’s a good lineup over there. They don’t chase much, they take good swings in the strike zone. They are pretty deep. Even without a couple of guys, they’re deep.

“He did a really good job against a tough lineup.”

Scholtens has been utilized as a starter and reliever. He has a 3.07 ERA in 17 appearances, including three starts, with Tuesday his first since July 6.

“Any time somebody steps on the field they have the opportunity to prove to everyone in baseball that they belong at this level,” Grifol said. “He’s done a really good job of that.

“He’s pitched short, he’s pitched extra innings, he’s started. He’s created value for himself. Today, he went out without starting for a while and he was 80 pitches, a solid, solid outing.”

Scholtens said he’ll be ready in any situation.

“I want the ball, I want to pitch,” he said. “That goes without saying for everyone in this locker room. Everybody wants to pitch and in whatever role they’re needed. Go out there and do it.”

Both starting pitchers impressed. Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney limited the Sox to two hits, singles by Tim Anderson and Yoán Moncada, while striking out 11 with no walks in six-plus innings.

“His fastball was jumping a little bit,” Grifol said of Heaney. “Got to look back and see if we chased or not. He threw the ball well.”

Luis Robert Jr. nearly took him out of the park in the fourth, flying out approximately 409 feet to center field.

“We had a chance there with the ball (Robert) hit, 109 mph, it just didn’t leave this one for some reason,” Grifol said.

The Sox finished with three hits on a day that was filled with buzz and activity — three deals — at the trade deadline.

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