Sunday’s series rubber match between Chicago and Miami looked promising for the White Sox after another superb start from Lucas Giolito and a combined five runs scored in the sixth and seventh innings. Giolito gave the Sox everything they could’ve asked for and more, limiting a stingy Marlins lineup to a mere one run across seven innings of work. In his last three starts, he’s only allowed four earned runs across 18 frames.
The White Sox offense was stifled by Marlins’ starter Braxton Garrett on Sunday, who blanked Chicago across 5.1 innings. However, Jake Burger and Romy Gonzalez delivered in a big way once Garrett left the ballgame. They both provided massive doubles in the bottom of the sixth, with the former roping an RBI two-bagger (scoring Vaughn) and the latter ripping a two-RBI double (scoring Benintendi and Burger). Luis Robert Jr., as we’ve grown accustomed to, hit a moonshot in the subsequent frame, a two-run home run (scoring him and Clint Frazier) that gave Chicago what appeared to be a comfortable lead (5-1).
Unfortunately, the Sox bullpen let one slip away again on Sunday. Though Kendall Graveman and Keynan Middleton have been two of the better relievers in baseball over the past six-to-eight weeks, they surrendered a combined five runs in the eighth and ninth innings to allow Miami to take the game and the series.
With the gut-wrenching loss, the White Sox fall to 29-38 and sit 4.5 games behind the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins.
W: Bryan Hoenig (1-1) | L: Kendall Graveman (1-3) | SV: A.J. Puk (7)
Statcast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap:
Pitching Recap:
White Sox Scoring Recap:
- Bottom of the 6th: Burger doubled to right. Andrew Vaughn scored. 1-1 Tie.
- Bottom of the 6th: González doubled to left. Benintendi and Burger scored. 3-1 White Sox.
- Bottom of the 7th: Robert Jr. homered to left (370 feet). Clint Frazier scored. 5-1 White Sox.
Notable Performances
Lucas Giolito: 7.0 IP, 6 H, BB, ER, 8 K
Giolito had it rolling yet again. His sharp breaking slider and changeup kept the Marlins off balance all afternoon, and he was extremely efficient, turning in seven frames of one-run ball.
Luis Robert Jr.: 2-for-4, 2B, 2-Run HR (15), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
“La Pantera” pounced on an inside cutter in the bottom of the 7th inning, yanking the ball inside the left-field foul pole for a 370-foot, two-run shot.
Jake Burger: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R, K
I’ll have a double cheeseburger with all the condiments. This guy can’t stop, won’t stop providing extra-base thump in the White Sox lineup and we are here for it.
Romy Gonzalez: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K
Romy’s 2-RBI double gave the South Siders a two-run lead in the bottom of the sixth. He still has plenty of room to grow in the majors, especially at the dish, but the clutch hitting is very welcomed.
Next Matchup
After the White Sox enjoy an off-day on Monday, they will begin a three-game set with the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Dodgers’ right-hander Tony Gonsolin is scheduled to start the ballgame, and Lance Lynn, a fellow right-hander, is slated to toe the rubber for Chicago.
The game will begin at 9:10 PM CST and can be viewed on NBC Sports Chicago.
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Featured Image: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
