The White Sox came in today hoping to score some runs after being outscored 12-3 in the first two games of the series. Winning today would give the team a chance to split the series after taking 2 of 3 against Tampa Bay.
The game got off to a rocky start in the 1st inning with a Moncada error, which led to the runner scoring. He made up for it by driving a RBI double to left-center field in the 3rd that tied the game at one at the time – and would be last time the Sox would be close. In the bottom of the inning, the Astros scored 4 including a bases clearing double from Robel Garcia. In the 4th inning, they struck again with a rocket off Brantley’s bat to score Myles Straw and increase the lead to 6-1. Lynn only lasted 4 innings in his worst start this season. In the 7th inning, Vaughn smashed a line drive for solo home run after being pulled in last night’s game with a facial contusion. Later in the inning, Danny Mendick scored on a throwing error on Maldonado. The bullpen handled the load well, with only Jose Ruiz giving up a solo home run to Carlos Correa.
All told, rough day with few highlights. The White Sox record falls to 43-28 after the 3rd straight loss.
W: Framber Valdez (4-0) | L: Lance Lynn (7-3)
Savant Leaders
Notable Performances
Lance Lynn: 4IP, 7H, 6R, 5ER, BB, 6K
Lance had his worst start of the season, giving up 5 earned runs against the Astros offense. He left tonight’s game with a 2.02 ERA in 75 2/3 innings pitched this year. On the bright side, Lynn recorded his 1,500th career strikeout.
Yoan Moncada: 2-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI
Moncada had a good day at the plate. He stung a ball into the gap for extra bases, walked, and singled. This game was a highlight in his slower June, as he had slashed .200/.302/.389 coming into today. Hopefully this game is the end of his slump because the offense needs a boost until a trade or Eloy comes back.
Andrew Vaughn: 2-for-3, BB, HR, RBI, R
Another hitter struggling this month (.217/.245/.348), Vaughn also had a solid game. He gave some late offense in the form of a 7th inning home run.
Matchup of the Game
In the third inning, the game was hanging in the balance. The Astros had the bases loaded with one out and a 2-1 lead. After Lynn got the second out of the inning, Robert Garcia would lace a 3-2 fastball into RF, clearing the bases and giving the Astros a 5-1 lead.
This was easily the matchup of the game since at this point gave the Astros an increase in win probability of 21%.
Next Game
After scoring a total of 6 runs in the first 3 games of the series, the White Sox will try to avoid the sweep in Houston. Keuchel takes on Lance McCullers Jr. in the afternoon game tomorrow at 1:10pm CT on NBC Sports Chicago.
This series could be the start of an “adjustment” where the Sox begin playing to the level of their real potential which is a roster currently composed of players rated at slightly better than mediocre. By July 4th, the Sox might be trailing Cleveland in the standings. Today’s game was an example of the differences hidden in the box score. For example, the misses by Garcia in right and Vaughn in left would have been outs for average right and left fielders. The batting order is weak — a lack of power bats and too many strikes taken. I hope my pessimism is wrong.