The White Sox had one hell of a rollercoaster ride to win the 2019 home opener. After jumping out to an early 6-1 lead and countless misplays by the Seattle defense, it looked like the Sox would be able to cruise the rest of the way. However, the Mariners chipped away at a shaky Reynaldo Lopez to turn the deficit into an 8-6 lead by the sixth inning. The script quickly flipped once again after the Sox loaded the bases in the seventh, brought in a run on a hit-by-pitch, and won it on a 2-RBI single by Yoan Moncada. Tim Anderson added an insurance run in the eighth with a solo-shot, before Colome slammed the door on a 10-8 White Sox winner.
#SOXWIN pic.twitter.com/mRi8ZdilCI
— Jonnie Nonnie (@NonnieJonnie) April 5, 2019
Here is an individual breakdown of select players:
Reynaldo Lopez: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 3 HR
Away and up. That’s where many of Reynaldo’s pitches ended up in the latter portion of his start. If you take away the Domingo Santana solo-home run in the first, things looked promising after Lopez struck out the game’s first two batters and had an easy second. Then, back-to-back walks to open up the third led to a mound visit from Don Cooper as Lopez’s command completely escaped him. In the the sixth, a lead-off single to Omar Narvaez seemed to signal the end of Lopez’s day. However, Renteria kept Reynaldo in to face Ryan Healy after yet another mound visit, which resulted in a two-run homer to end Lopez’s day.
Yoan Moncada
The American League’s most dangerous hitter came up in the clutch once again. Yo got things going right away in his first at-bat for the Sox with a near-grand slam.
MONCADA MANIA!
Yoan’s 4th double of the year makes it 3-1 Good Guys in the first.
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) April 5, 2019
In case that wasn’t big enough, Moncada came to the plate with the bases loaded in the seventh and did more of the same. This time, what proved to be a game-winning, two-RBI single to regain the lead.
YOAN MONCADA DOES IT AGAIN!
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) April 5, 2019
Keep in mind, not only did Moncada drive both of those pitches from the right side of the plate, but with two-strikes on him in each at-bat. He finished 2-4 with 4 RBI.
Tim Anderson
The new father of two made his return to the White Sox lineup in a big way after missing the Cleveland series. Anderson picked up where he left off with two hits in his first two at-bats, including a 2-RBI single to give the Sox a 6-1 lead.
On ➡️ Over ➡️ In. pic.twitter.com/7zqFAzcKv8
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 5, 2019
In the eighth, Timmy lined one into the bullpen to extend the lead and cap off a huge day at the plate. He finished 3-4 with a walk, 3 RBI, and 4 runs scored to go along with his homer and two singles.
RIDE WITH US OR GET RUN OVER pic.twitter.com/t52bUsRzg7
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) April 5, 2019
Alex Colome
The new White Sox closer nailed down the Mariners in the ninth with back-to-back strikeouts, one swinging and one looking, to end it. He is now 2-2 in save opportunities this season. His final line was 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K with 10 of his 15 pitches thrown for strikes.
Eloy Jimenez
In his first game on the South Side, Eloy had another quiet day at the plate. He struck out on a curveball in his first at-bat, then grounded out to the left side in his remaining three at-bats to finish the day 0-4.
Mariner’s Defense and Bullpen
One word: atrocious.
For the full box score, click here.
Featured Photo: Getty Images
