White Sox notes: Moncada, Davidson benefit most from 14-run 9th

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox 14-run ninth inning Sunday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers was one of those comical occurrences that can happen when major leaguers and low-level minor leaguers mix. But for two White Sox players, it did serve a purpose beyond the headline-worthy curiosity of scoring two touchdowns worth of runs. 

Matt Davidson and Yoan Moncada entered the ninth inning a combined 0-8 with eight strikeouts. But Davidson walked and scored, and Moncada doubled in a pair of runs and scored himself in the ninth inning, giving both players a bit of positivity on which to end their nights. 

"They could have very easily buckled under and gone through the motions and they didn't," manager Rick Renteria said. "That's evident the last ball Moncada hit, running down the line, and trying to dive to get there. Showing you tremendous effort. Just continuing to play the game. They've been doing a pretty nice job of that this spring. We're trying to clean up some of the other things. That showed a lot of energy and a lot of spunk."

Fulmer works past ‘awe' factor

Carson Fulmer threw 69 pitches (45 for strikes) over four innings in his start against the Cleveland Indians Monday at Camelback Ranch, allowing four runs on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. The 2015 first-round pick said he wanted to work on his changeup and curveball and said he felt "really good" about his afternoon. 

The 23-year-old Fulmer said he has a better idea of what he's up against this spring after struggling in eight major league games last year, in which he allowed 11 runs in 11 2/3 innings. 

"More than anything, you take that awe factor out of it," Fulmer said. "Growing up being a fan of baseball, you look at these guys you're facing now and you kind of have to take a step back. But now it's the same game. The more times I'm going out there the more comfortable I'm feeling."

Other notes from White Sox 9, Indians 5:

-- Tyler Saladino continued to mash the ball this spring, launching a grand slam in the second inning off Carlos Carrasco and delivering two more hits to raise his spring OPS to 1.472. 

-- Cody Asche and Rymer Liriano both homered, too, in the White Sox eight-run second inning. In their last three games, the White Sox have two eight-run innings (6th vs. Texas Sunday, 2nd vs. Cleveland Monday) and one 14-run inning (9th vs. Los Angeles Sunday).

-- Left-hander Jose Quintana is expected back at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday after Colombia was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic Sunday. Renteria didn't have an exact plan for Quintana, but said the White Sox will likely keep him on the same schedule he had building up to his Friday start against the United States. When Quintana does take the mound again, the White Sox could have him pitch in ‘B'or minor league games to keep the intensity level lower after the 27-year-old pitched well in a high-stress environment Friday in Miami. 

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