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Elvis Andrus was hitless in his last 14 at-bats since collecting the 1,999th hit of his career Friday in Houston.
“It’s very tough when you are right there and you are about to accomplish a milestone,” Andrus said Wednesday.
The Chicago White Sox second baseman had a big smile and raised his arms after reaching the 2,000-hit mark with a fifth-inning single to right against San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb.
It was one of 13 Sox hits in a 7-3 victory in front of 15,980 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“It’s a great achievement,” Andrus said. “It’s a lot of hits. It’s a lot of memories. Every hit means a lot, from the first one to 2,000 today. It means a lot for me and the family and the people who have helped me through my career.
“I’m not going to lie: I wanted to get this hit in Houston. My family was there, but just the way it goes. Sometimes it gets a little harder, but thank God I did it and helped the team win. It was even better.”
Andrus, 34, is in his 15th season in a career that began in 2009 with the Texas Rangers.
“That’s a heck of a feat,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “You’ve got to play a lot of baseball in the big leagues and you’ve got to be really damn good to accomplish 2,000 hits.”
According to the Sox, he is the 290th player in MLB history to reach the mark.
Andrus went 1-for-4 with a run Wednesday, helping the Sox even the three-game series entering Thursday’s finale.
“I’ve been making good swings, good contact,” Andrus said. “Just put a little bit more pressure than I’m supposed to do. It’s just baseball. It’s the beginning of the season and I’m still making my adjustment.
“But (Wednesday) I felt really good. It’s the best game offensively in terms of seeing the ball and hitting strikes so far this year. Trying to build on that and trying to get 1,000 more.”
Andrus began the day at second but moved over to shortstop when Tim Anderson was ejected while in the dugout after a third-inning at-bat that ended on a called third strike.
“You have to be alert at a certain time (with the pitch clock), and he said he wasn’t alert,” Grifol said. “He got called out on strikes. I think he was OK with the strikeout, but emotions are emotions. That’s what makes him good, man. That passion that he brings. I have no problems with it at all.
“He didn’t call time. He says he wasn’t alert yet. He hadn’t put his eyes on the pitcher and he just stepped out. Probably could have called time or whatever, but it didn’t happen. When he got in the dugout, it’s that passion he’s got. It’s that passion and fight for the game. I don’t have an issue with it.”
The Sox were also without Eloy Jiménez, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a low-grade left hamstring strain. Gavin Sheets stepped in as the designated hitter and had two hits and three RBIs.
Sheets and Jake Burger are among the options at DH while Jiménez is out.
“Burger and I knew all along at some point we’d have to step up and fill a role like that, and that’s what we’re prepared to do,” Sheets said. “That’s what we’ve done the last couple years and done it pretty well. We make a pretty good player together.
“I’m excited about the opportunity and talked to (Grifol) today, and it’s about making the most of every opportunity you get.”
The Sox made the most of their chances Wednesday, going 7-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Luis Robert Jr. had three hits, while Andrew Benintendi and Yoán Moncada joined Sheets with two hits.
Dylan Cease picked up his first win of the season while recovering from what he called “cold-like symptoms.”
“With caffeine, you can get through something like that,” Cease said. “Some coffee, some Red Bulls, mix it up. Once I had some caffeine in me and it’s a game situation, it’s go time.”
The caffeine was enough to get Cease through five innings while allowing just one run on one hit.
“He was going to battle through it and he did,” Grifol said. “He really did a good job. He competed and gave us a chance to win. He made some good pitches when he had to. That’s why he is who he is.”
Cease struck out eight and worked his way through five walks.
“I executed in some big spots,” Cease said. “In general, I’m not very happy with my execution, just because of the walks. Anytime I leave with the lead and give us a chance, it’s pretty good. But five walks only going five (innings) is a little disappointing.
“Just poor execution and not making adjustments. It was OK, we got through it.”
