White Sox blank Astros to split four-game series

Lucas Giolito continued his exceptional pitching by twirling a four-hit shutout, and rookie Eloy Jimenez homered for the third time in two games as the visiting Chicago White Sox earned a four-game series split against the Houston Astros with a 4-0 win Thursday. Giolito (6-1) extended his personal winning streak to five games. He easily handcuffed the high-scoring Astros on four hits -- all singles -- and one walk while setting a season high with nine strikeouts. Giolito threw 107 pitches, 82 for strikes.

Giolito allowed the first hit to the first batter he faced in the bottom of the first inning, but he revised that miscue when Michael Brantley grounded into an inning-ending double play that erased Josh Reddick. Brantley subsequently recorded singles in the fourth and sixth innings, but even after Giolito allowed a leadoff single to Max Stassi in the eighth, the right-hander recovered to retire the ensuing three batters before quickly retiring the side in order in the ninth.

The White Sox, meanwhile, made short work of Astros rookie right-hander Corbin Martin (1-1). After scuffling through four innings in his second career start on Saturday at Boston, Martin recorded only 10 outs in his first home outing since winning his big-league debut against Texas on May 12. He surrendered four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out three.

In the third inning, Yolmer Sanchez doubled, Charlie Tilson walked, and Yoan Moncada hit a run-scoring double. Tim Anderson followed with an RBI single. Martin compounded matters with a throwing error that enabled Moncada to score the third run of the inning, on a wild pickoff attempt at first base.

Three batters into the fourth inning, Martin was pulled, but not until he surrendered a leadoff home run to Jimenez, the left fielder's sixth on the season. Jimenez homered twice on Wednesday in a 9-4 White Sox victory.