MINNEAPOLIS – Philip Humber said it felt like it had been a year since he won his last game.
But the Chicago White Sox’s pitcher looked as sharp as he did during the first three months of the season, when he pitched well enough to be deserving of American League all-star consideration.
At any rate, Humber pitched seven shutout innings Monday in his first start since getting struck by a line drive above his right eye on Aug. 18. Humber’s slider looked as sharp as it did in the first three months of the season.
He struck out six, walked none and pitched seven innings for the first time since July 2 at Wrigley Field – where he won his last game.
“I want to prove it every time I go out there,” Humber said. “Whatever many chances I have left, from here on out to the rest of my career, the way I look at it is everyone here has something to prove every time you go out there. That’s the mindset I take.”
Humber (9-8) looked like he benefited from the layoff, as his arm looked strong. He needs only 9 2/3 innings to equal his professional high, but he said the break helped him more mentally.
“At this point in the season, unless you take three to four months off, you’re going to feel like you feel,” Humber said. “I feel good. I felt good all year.
“And the time off probably gave me more of a mental break than anything. This is my first time being in the big leagues the whole year, and it’s more of a mental grind than a physical grind for me.”
Humber also absorbed a hard grounder off his thigh hit by Jason Kubel in the second inning and stayed in the game without any effects.
“I must pitch with my eyes closed,” Humber said for his penchant for getting hit on the mound. “I don’t get it. I don’t know why I’m carrying a glove out there. I’m not using it. Hopefully I’ll get better.”
Manager Ozzie Guillen also was concerned.
“Everybody (was nervous),” Guillen said. “Then after that, nobody knew what was going on and laughed. We need to put a screen out there. He went to the minors and got hit the day he was pitching.
“I hope that doesn’t give him discomfort on the mound when he’s pitching, because that thing is always on your mind. The ball is coming to you and your reaction is to be to get out of the way. But after that he pitched well.”
