DENVER _ Coors Field didn't seem like an ideal place for White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana to boost his trade value in his last start before the All-Star break Saturday night.
After all, the Rockies rocked Derek Holland for seven runs in four innings a night earlier.
But with the eyes of buyers likely on him, Quintana fared better. He allowed three runs on five hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts before leaving with the lead after 51/3 innings. Sox reliever Tommy Kahnle gave up the tying run in the eighth, but Tim Anderson hit his second homer in two nights in the ninth to give the Sox the lead again in a 5-4 victory over the Rockies.
After giving up a two-run homer to Nolan Arenado in the first, Quintana settled down for four scoreless innings before allowing a run in the sixth. He issued his first two walks around a strikeout and gave up an RBI double to Gerardo Parra.
Sox reliever Anthony Swarzak helped by recording the final two outs of the sixth. Quintana also helped his own cause in the fourth with his first career RBI on a sacrifice fly.
"He's a pretty even-keeled individual," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He knows what he wants to do, how he wants to pitch and what he wants from every hitter."
The outing continued a big turnaround from a poor two months. Quintana has a 2.70 ERA over his last seven starts, including a 1.78 ERA in June.
Sox trade speculation was beginning to pick up this weekend, with the Brewers rumored to join a list of Quintana suitors that reportedly has included the Yankees, Astros and Braves.
But Renteria said he hasn't had many conversations with players about the possibility they will be traded.
"We talk about what we're going to do today, more about our daily routine and what we're trying to do as a club," Renteria said. "We really don't get on those topics. I'm not opposed to it if they want to talk to me about it, but they are focused on playing baseball and doing what they can to secure a good performance and help the team win."
