Robertson earns win, save in odd day for reliever

CHICAGO -- David Robertson clearly was ready to finish what he started on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field.

After taking the mound to begin the completion of Friday's suspended game against the Royals and eventually getting the win in a 3-2 victory, Robertson pitched around two singles in the regularly scheduled game to pick up career save No. 50 in the 5-3 White Sox win. Those singles off Robertson marked his first hits allowed in seven games, but the closer certainly seemed upbeat after his strange day of work.

"We just got two wins today," said Robertson when asked if he was feeling good after throwing 37 pitches combined.

Video: KC@CWS: Robertson induces groundout, notches save

"It probably was an interesting situation for him essentially starting a game," White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers said. "The typical Robertson. Came in, shut them down, gave us a chance in the bottom and on the save right there, he just missed a couple spots and ended up giving up the base hits. But other than that, he went right back to executing pitches."

Robertson has made 494 career appearances at the Major League and Minor League levels combined during his professional career. He can remember two instances when he started or appeared in a quasi-starting role, as he did to open the completion of the 3-2 victory.

One came as part of a two-game rehab stint with Scranton Wilkes-Barre in 2012, with an 11 a.m. first pitch. The other one came in 2010 with the Yankees.

"I did it against Minnesota," Robertson said. "Joe Mauer led off the game with a line drive off my back."

Video: KC@CWS: Robertson discusses the win over Royals, save

Matters were resolved in a far less painful manner Sunday. Robertson struck out Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer before a Jose Abreu fielding error on Kendrys Morales' grounder ended his stretch of 18 straight batters retired. He then struck out Alex Gordon to end the ninth, and his two strikeouts in the main game gave him 17 strikeouts out of the 29 batters he has faced this season.

"It's very odd," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Robertson's situation. "For him to go out there, he warmed up like a reliever instead of a normal starter. He didn't take very long and came right in."

"That's no different for me," Robertson said. "I went out to the bullpen, threw my normal little warmups and just came in. The only thing different is standing in the dugout and coming out. It's like you're going out for a second inning. I was prepared for it and thankfully I didn't end up throwing 30 or 40 pitches each inning."