Tyler Flowers catches Jeff Samardzija for first time since Opening Day

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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- In another attempt to light a fire, Tyler Flowers caught Jeff Samardzija for the first time since Opening Day on Wednesday.

While Flowers has primarily caught Chris Sale all season, Geovany Soto has caught Samardzija in all but one start. But with Samardzija having lost three straight and a 12.91 ERA over those starts, the White Sox opted for Flowers instead. Robin Ventura said Soto would start in Thursday’s finale with Jose Quintana on the mound.

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“You’re just hoping to change something up with Shark and I think Flow has been doing a good job calling games,” Ventura said. “It’s nothing against Geo, but you know again you’re trying to change something up to see what will happen with that and Geo will be in there tomorrow.”

“There can be a little better focus with the pitcher who has to now know the guy who is in there. I’ve seen it work and this is what we’re trying to do, trying to jump start him and get him going.”

Samardzija, 8-8 with a 4.78 ERA, allowed six hits and five earned runs in six innings when Flowers caught him in the April 6 opener at Kansas City.

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