Rienzo, first Brazilian to pitch in MLB, solid in White Sox’ 7-4 loss
BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN dvanschouwen@suntimes.com July 30, 2013 9:00PM
Chicago White Sox's Andre Rienzo delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
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Updated: July 31, 2013 5:54PM
CLEVELAND – The first Brazilian to pitch in the Major Leagues made a good first impression with the White Sox, who couldn’t avoid another loss on Tuesday night.
Right-hander Andre Rienzo survived three walks, three unearned and having his right foot stepped on covering first base in the sixth inning to make a very good start in the Sox’ 7-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians.. Rienzo gave up five hits and struck out six and allowed no earned runs. He left with a 4-3 lead, but relievers Donnie Veal and Matt Lindstrom couldn’t protect the lead and prevent the Sox (40-64) from falling to 24 games below .500 for the first time since Sept. 1989.
Rienzo, 25, arrived in Cleveland on Monday and took Jake Peavy’s start. Peavy is being shopped in trade talks by general manager Rick Hahn.
Sox right fielder Alex Rios left the game during the eighth inning after fouling two pitches off his foot and shin areas.
Rienzo was 8-6 with a 4.06 ERA with three complete games, one shutout and an International League high 113 strikeouts over 20 starts and 113 innings. In his last six starts, his ERA was 1.47. He threw a seven-inning no-hitter on July 25.
A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Rienzo is the first pitcher from Brazil to play in the major leagues. Cleveland’s Yan Gomes was the first Brazilian to play in the majors, and their matchup Tuesday prompted ESPN Brazil to telecast the game nationally.
The Indians scored four in the eighth inning as Ryan Raburn singled in two runs and Gomes doubled in a pair.
