MINNEAPOLIS -- There seems to be a little extra energy in the White Sox clubhouse whenever Jose Quintana picks up a victory.
That certainly isn't meant to downplay victories for Chris Sale, Carlos Rodon, John Danks, Mat Latos or any reliever. But it's hard for the team not to have a slightly greater investment or sense of support for a hurler who has a Major League-high 53 no-decisions since 2012, yet never complains or changes his focus.
"Everybody pulls for him, because he's just such a good teammate and good person. You genuinely like the guy," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Quintana, who picked up the win in Monday's 4-1 White Sox victory over the Twins at Target Field. "He's as consistent as anybody, and it's not just with his attitude coming in here, but it's his work."
"It looks like each and every time he goes out there, he has a plan with each and every hitter," White Sox center fielder Austin Jackson said. "And he executes really well."
Quintana allowed one run on four hits over six innings, striking out five and walking three. He put two men on in the second with two outs, but struck out Kurt Suzuki to end the frame. The Twins had second and third with nobody out in the fourth, but scored just one run, and Quintana stranded runners at first and third in the sixth.
Even with this high no-decision total, Quintana hasn't lost in a stretch of 10 straight starts since Aug. 15, 2015. He has four wins over those 10 starts, but the man who somehow has never won double-digit games in a single season has a feeling 2016 will be different.
"Absolutely. I feel this is the year for no more no-decisions and for the team," Quintana said. "When you come into the ballpark every day, you come in excited because you have a new team, the real thing. We've got to change. That's how you play baseball, day by day.
"Sometimes I can feel frustrated because you try to do your job. But that's part of the game. That's not only me. A couple of pitchers have the same too. I just try to do my job and that's it. Go to the mound, try to get quick outs and give my team a good chance to win."