SEATTLE (AP) — If you need to know what motivates Hector Noesi, check the front of his cap.
After going 7 1-3 strong innings in the Chicago White Sox’s 10-inning 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night, Noesi put on a cap that read in front: Revenge NOE.
The Mariners were the object of his attention.
“When you don’t believe in somebody, you need to show them,” said Noesi, who was designated for assignment and eventually traded by Seattle to Texas this spring. The White Sox claimed him April 25 when the Rangers waived him.
The White Sox ended their four-game losing streak on Conor Gillaspie’s RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning.
With Jordan Danks on second base, Gordon Beckham reached when Seattle shortstop Chris Taylor booted his grounder. Danks advanced to third and scored when Gillaspie, who entered as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, hit a hard single to right off Fernando Rodney (1-5).
“It’s one of those tough ones where you don’t really know if you should play through it,” Taylor said, “or try to break down and get rid of it quick. I decided to play through and it ended up getting an in-between hop. I should have made the play.”
Noesi worked into the eighth to give the Sox the shot at a win. He allowed an unearned run and five hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
“This is as good as he’s pitched for us,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “He was throwing strikes, getting ahead early. He pitched great. He got us into the eighth.”
Noesi said when he arrived in Chicago, pitching coach Don Cooper “told me I can do it. That’s why I’m getting better.”
It was Cooper who helped put his hat together.
“I wear every time I face my former teams,” he said.
In four appearances against Seattle, he had gone 18 1-3 innings, not allowed a run and opponents were hitting .212 against him. In two seasons with Seattle, he was 2-14 with a 6.13 ERA in 36 appearances.
“It was a good game. He pitched good. You have to give him credit,” Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano said. “Really nothing else you can do in that situation. He’s one of those guys that pitches good against us and is good against any team.”
The loss ended the Mariners’ four-game winning streak.
Eric Surkamp (1-0) got the last two outs of the ninth for the win and Jake Petricka worked the 10th to pick up his eighth save.
James Paxton started for Seattle, his second outing since spending nearly four months on the disabled list with a strained left lat. He went 6 1-3 innings, allowing one run and six hits, striking out four.
SWEET LOU ENSHIRNED
Before the game, former manager Lou Piniella became the eighth member of the Mariners Hall of Fame. He managed from 1993 to 2002 and guided the club to its only four postseason appearances. Four players in the club’s HOF — Alvin Davis, Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner and Dan Wilson — were on hand.
Piniella gave an emotional 21-minute speech, breaking down to tears twice, once when talking about late broadcaster Dave Niehaus and at the end when thanking the fans for their years of support. “I thank you, salute you,” he closed, “and will never forget you.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: Utility player Willie Bloomquist had micro-fracture right knee surgery Friday and will not return this season. He will be on crutches for the next four to six weeks.
White Sox: Outfielder Adam Eaton has a strained right oblique that necessitated a trip to the disabled list.
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