The White Sox’ first sweep of the season is going to have to wait another series.
With the opportunity to take a necessary three games from the Cleveland Guardians, the White Sox instead mustered up just one run on eight hits in today’s ballgame, using only Seby Zavala’s bloop RBI single to generate any offense. It certainly didn’t help that the team went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position today, including leaving all three runners stranded in a bases-loaded, no-out situation early in the game. The club also drew two or fewer walks in the game for the seventh consecutive matchup – another fact that helps to explain the offensive woes this afternoon.
Dylan Cease didn’t have his best stuff today, but he kept a lifeless Sox offense in the game into the seventh inning, allowing one run through the first six frames. However, thanks in part to an error by Tim Anderson, the Guardians were able to scratch across the game’s deciding two runs in the top of the seventh inning, leading to Cease’s departure from the game and eventual loss. In positive news: Garrett Crochet made his return to the mound today in a scoreless appearance.
With the loss, the White Sox fall to 16-29.
W: Nick Sandlin (2-1) | L: Dylan Cease (2-3) | S: Emmanuel Clase (15)
StatCast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap:
Pitching Recap:
White Sox Scoring Recap:
- Bottom 4th: Seby Zavala singles to center field. Andrew Benintendi scores. 1-0 White Sox.
Notable Performances
Dylan Cease: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Cease was only on the mound when two of his runs scored, with one scoring on a homer and the other on a Tim Anderson error. Cease only struck out three hitters on the afternoon – a rare feat, though not that rare when you consider the Guardians own the fourth-lowest strikeout rate in baseball.
Seby Zavala: 1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
Zavala drove in the only run on the afternoon for the White Sox, though he struck out three times as well.
Luis Robert Jr: 2-for-4
Robert Jr. continued his hot streak with a few more hits of his own.
Garrett Crochet: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
It was great to see Garrett Crochet back on the mound in his first outing since returning from Tommy John Surgery.
Next Matchup
The White Sox will get back to work against their division again tomorrow, as they welcome the Royals to town. Michael Kopech will get the start against Zack Greinke.
The game will begin at 7:10 PM CT on NBC Sports Chicago.
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Featured Image: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
