After dropping the first game of the series, the White Sox tried to tie the series in Milwaukee in game 2. It did not start off promising as Carlos Rodon gave up a home run on the first pitch and allowed another solo shot in the 2nd inning. Two errors led to two more runs scoring, and Carlos left the game down 4-0. Ruiz came in to relieve him and gave up a home run, walk, and four strikeouts over 2 innings. Reynaldo Lopez was called in for the 7th inning. He also gave up a home run and struck out four over 2 innings.
The offense again was very sluggish. All of the hits came from the middle of the order, with no contribution from top or bottom of the lineup. Silly mistakes on defense and Moncada not touching the plate, leading to a confusing replay review, did not provide Carlos with much help.
The White Sox walk away from this game with a 58-40 record and stay 9 games up on Cleveland.
W: Corbin Burnes (6-4) | L: Carlos Rodon (8-4)
Savant Leaders
Notable Performances
Carlos Rodon: 4IP, 4H, 4R, 2ER, 2BB, 5K
Carlos battled today without his best stuff. Early on he had no command of either of his breaking pitches and his fastball velocity was lower than normal. He later picked up his velocity, hitting 97 mph multiple times. His two unearned runs came on an error from Carlos himself and a bad throw to first base by Zack Collins on a bunt. Despite his early struggles, he only gave up 2 earned runs and had 12 swings and misses before being pulled after 79 pitches.
Brian Goodwin: 2-for-4
Goodwin had a good day at the plate, reaching on two hits. He keeps showing that he was a good pickup for the team as he has been a consistent spot in the lineup. After this game he is hitting .259/.333/.448 with a .339 wOBA and 117 wRC+.
Andrew Vaughn: 2-for-4, 2B
Vaughn continues to have a hot July. He came into tonight’s match-up hitting .317 this month and gave himself a couple extra points with his performance tonight. Vaughn also had the hardest hit ball for the White Sox with a 104.3 mph rocket. He later laced a ball off the wall in the 9th for a double to show some late life for the offense.
Matchup of the Game
After three straight singles, Leury Garcia came to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs in the 5th. On a 1-2 count, Garcia hit a weak ground ball that ended up with a very confusing play at the plate. Long story short, Yoan Moncada missed home plate and Brewers manager Craig Counsell appealed the play and got a review. After several minutes and two calls to the New York replay room, Moncada was ruled out. This situation seemed to kill any momentum the offense had.
Next Game
The team has scored two runs this series and needs to find some fire in the offense. Let’s put this one in the review and look forward to the last game with Lance Lynn taking on Brandon Woodruff.
This game will be televised on ESPN at 6:08 pm CT as a part of Sunday Night Baseball.
Starting to feel somewhat nervous with the results of the most recent past three games. Might be time to experiment with Burger at 2nd base. Engel needs to begin playing everyday in center or right, joined by Vaughn and Goodwin in the outfield. Let Sheets DH regularly. The White Sox may have discovered a jewel hiding in plain site in the form of Lopez for relief in the 6th and 7th innings. Use Crochet more frequently in the 7th and 8th innings. And, let’s see more of Kopech as the 8th inning setup man for Liam. When Eloy returns, and it will be very soon, he needs to DH with spot starts in right field. No way the White Sox tamper with moving Vaughn from left field.