The White Sox may have lost, but something bigger happened at Guaranteed Rate Field tonight.
In a game started by Michael Kopech, who gave up four runs in the first inning to put the Sox behind early, the big story was Liam Hendriks’ return to the mound after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma back in January. Hendriks covered the eighth inning for the South Siders, giving up two runs and really struggling to locate his slider – understandable, given the circumstances. He did get through the inning, with his fastball hitting 95-96 mph, starting what has been an incredible comeback story.
The offense, once again, really couldn’t muster much in today’s effort. However, they didn’t go quietly. After Eloy Jimenez (RBI single), Andrew Vaughn (solo HR), and Romy Gonzalez (solo HR) kept the White Sox in the game, Jimenez launched a home run in the ninth to push the game to 6-4. However, after a one-out hit by pitch to Andrew Vaughn and a walk to Gavin Sheets, Jake Burger popped out and Yasmani Grandal was robbed of an RBI single by Zach Neto to end the game.
A tough way for the White Sox to lose, though they did battle. However, at 22-34, moral victories really aren’t enough anymore.
W: Griffin Canning (4-2) | L: Michael Kopech (3-5) | S: Carlos Estevez (13)
StatCast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap:
Pitching Recap:
White Sox Scoring Recap:
- Bottom 1st: Eloy Jimenez singles to center field. Andrew Benintendi scores. 4-1 Angels
- Bottom 4th: Andrew Vaughn homers (7) to right field. 4-2 Angels
- Bottom 5th: Romy Gonzalez homers (2) to center field. 4-3 Angels
- Bottom 9th: Eloy Jimenez homers (5) to left field. 6-4 Angels
Notable Performances
Michael Kopech: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Kopech didn’t have his best stuff early in this one, giving up two long balls in the first inning to put the White Sox in a hole early. However, he battled back and continued his streak of overall strong outings, striking out 10 Angels hitters out of the 13 outs he recorded.
Liam Hendriks: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
It wasn’t the line he wanted in the box score, but overall, I don’t think Hendriks will care too much in the grand scheme of things. It’s great to have him back.
Other Game Highlights
Next Matchup
The White Sox will try and stop this three-game skid against Anaheim tomorrow. Lucas Giolito will get the start opposite Tyler Anderson.
The game will begin at 7:10 PM CT over on NBC Sports Chicago.
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Featured Image: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
