2019 version of Lucas Giolito shows up for White Sox

Lucas Giolito

Through the first five games of the season, White Sox starting pitchers had a collective ERA of 12.64. That's a good way to lose four out of five.

But Lucas Giolito put a stop to the madness Wednesday. The right-hander didn't get the win, but he tossed six innings of shutout ball, allowing only four hits. He struck out six, walked two and held the Sox in the game in an eventual 4-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Giolito continued his mastery vs. Cleveland. In his past three starts against the Indians, he's 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 20.2 innings pitched. He's the guy the Sox wanted on the mound to snap a three-game losing streak.

The biggest test for Giolito came in the bottom of the fourth, when the Indians placed runners at first and third with nobody out. But the Sox pitcher rallied to strike out Francisco Lindor on a high fastball. Carlos Santana then grounded into a 3-6-3 double play to end the threat.

Cleveland also loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth, but Giolito got Santana to fly out on his final pitch of the night to keep the game scoreless.

It's a good thing Giolito was on, too, because Cleveland starter Zach Plesac was even better. The right-hander went eight shutout innings with 11 strikeouts and no walks. He allowed only three hits.

Fortunately, the Sox touched up Indians closer Brad Hand and right-hander Adam Cimber for four runs in the top of the ninth. The inning featured a leadoff double from Tim Anderson, sacrifice flies from Yasmani Grandal and Eloy Jimenez, and a clutch, two-out, two-run single from rookie center fielder Luis Robert.

Those extra two runs made the bottom of the ninth inning a little more tolerable, as Sox closer Alex Colome loaded the bases before finishing off the shutout. Aaron Bummer picked up the win in relief for the Sox.

Thursday will be an off day. The Sox will start a three-game series in Kansas City on Friday night.