CHICAGO (AP) — Despite getting hit by a line drive, Marlins starter Tom Koehler remained in the game on Friday.
Jeff Keppinger's line drive struck him on the back of his right shoulder in the third inning.
It brought back memories for Koehler of a 2005 game when he was making his first start as a freshman at Stony Brook and got hit in the head by a line drive.
Koehler said that injury forced him to have 10 stitches and fluid drained from his right ear. On Friday, the injury didn't knock him from the game.
"Any time it's the back like that you realize it's pretty close to taking one off the face," Koehler said. "You kind of more gather yourself to make the next pitch than you really do to shake off the pain of getting hit in the shoulder."
The injury didn't stop Koehler from having his third straight strong start. He worked six innings and allowed three runs and six hits while striking out three.
Keppinger's RBI single in the 11th inning gave the Chicago White Sox a 4-3 win over the Marlins.
He is still looking for his first win in the major leagues.
Manager Mike Redmond liked what he saw from Koehler.
"He was fine. It didn't tighten up on him or anything, but I thought he did a really good job," Redmond said. "He looked good. He looked sharp."
The same couldn't be said for the Marlins offense.
Facing John Danks, who was making his first start of the season, the lineup struggled. Miami grounded into double plays to end the sixth, seventh and 10th innings.
"We continue to give ourselves opportunities to score but we can't score. That's just where we're at," Redmond said. "I mean we've been watching this all year. It's frustrating. It's frustrating because we get guys in situations and we're not able to drive a runner in."
Keppinger did that for the White Sox in the 11th inning.
Paul Konerko started the rally with a one-out single. Pinch runner Tyler Greene moved to third when Dayan Viciedo singled off the glove of second baseman Derek Dietrich.
After Ryan Webb (1-2) intentionally walked Conor Gillaspie, Keppinger singled to left field.
"That's the best feeling in baseball," Keppinger said. "You want to be that guy that can come through at the end of the game and put your team on top."
Nate Jones (1-4) pitched two-thirds of an inning for the win.
Danks allowed three runs and four hits in six innings in his first start since undergoing shoulder surgery in August to repair a capsule tear and remove debris in his rotator cuff and biceps. He struck out five, walked none and hit a batter in the opener of the interleague series.
"It was a good first one," Danks said. "I did as much as I had hoped to do. Obviously, as the game went on, I wanted to go further, but I totally understand the move, totally agree with the move and I'm glad we got the win."
Derek Dietrich hit a two-run homer off Danks for a 2-0 Marlins lead in the fourth. Placido Polanco scored after leading off with a single for the Marlins' first hit.
Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, the Marlins tied the game. Marcell Ozuna led off with a double, forcing Danks from the game.
But that was it for the Miami offense.
"I mean, it's those guys' jobs to drive in runs. That's what … they get paid to drive in runs," Redmond said. "Obviously you don't get the job done you know what happens."
NOTES: Miami RHP Alex Sanabia said he didn't know it was illegal to spit on a baseball the way he did Monday against the Phillies, and that he did it just to get a better grip. Sanabia, who was caught on video spitting after allowing a home run to Philadelphia's Domonic Brown, said he hasn't been contacted by Major League Baseball. … Marlins RHP Kevin Slowey played long toss and threw off flat ground Friday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday. Slowey left his start Wednesday against Philadelphia in the sixth inning with a strained left lat muscle, but said he anticipates making his start Tuesday against Tampa Bay. . The White Sox are hopeful LHP Chris Sale will make his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Cubs. He missed his start Wednesday against the Red Sox because of shoulder tendinitis. … White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham won't play in his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte until at least Wednesday because he is experiencing soreness in his left hand, general manager Rick Hahn said.
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