Matt Albers continues to impress in White Sox bullpen

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Matt Albers pitched for only the third time this season in a game in which the White Sox were tied or had the lead on Sunday.

Though the Kauffman Stadium crowd roared to life with him on the mound, Albers kept the White Sox ahead in a contest they won, 7-5, over the Kansas City Royals. Even though the situation has been rare this season for Albers -- who is 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in 28 2/3 innings in 20 games -- the veteran knew how to handle it.

“I’m able to try not to let the game speed up,” Albers said. “You can get the heart rate get going a little, overthrow right there, and when I do my ball stops sinking and starts getting hit hard. I feel pretty good.”

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Out for nearly three months with a broken finger, Albers has been outstanding since he returned from the disabled list. He came back to find a full bullpen that only got more crowded when Nate Jones returned and has a 1.57 in his last 23 innings.

Albers has started to work his way up and could see more time in critical spots where he took over for Jake Petricka, who put the first two men he faced on base.

“He’s done a lot of different things for us out of there,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “(Sunday), coming in there, you’re just looking to get outs. …

“He’s coming in in an important spot, just to throw some ice on it, and he did.”

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