The White Sox (52-35) traveled to Baltimore to match up with the last-place Orioles (28-59) in a game that probably won’t want to be discussed in Baltimore after tonight. The depleted White Sox offense managed to put a harsh beating on Baltimore as 12 men crossed the plate behind 14 hits to down the Orioles, 12-1. Jose Abreu put on a hitting clinic with 2 hits and 3 RBIs to go along with two walks, reaching base four times in 5 plate appearances. Dallas Keuchel turned in another ideal Keuchel-esque performance, limiting a fair number of Orioles hits to just one run while only striking out 3.
There were periods throughout the game where the White Sox were either tied or ahead by just one run, but that all changed after they posted a four-run inning in the 6th. Regardless of the large lead, Keuchel had no reason to be concerned about his lead being handed to the bullpen, as they were sharp as could be. Michael Kopech and Matt Foster combined for two perfect innings with Kopech putting on a show in the 8th with 3 strikeouts.
The win gives the Sox their 52nd on the season, good for third-best in the American League.
W: Dallas Keuchel (7-3) | L: Jorge López (2-12)
Savant Leaders
Notable Performances
Jose Abreu: 2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Abreu is known for his ability to step up in games that match him up with higher competition. However, on Friday against the Orioles, Abreu took care of business against a team that he should. Before the game was blown open, Abreu singled in the go-ahead run in the top of the 5th on a 105.5 MPH single through the right side giving the Sox a 2-1 lead. Two innings later he knocked in Seby Zavala and Yoan Moncada on his 13th double of the year, this time at 105.1 MPH.
Tim Anderson: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
Tim was a driving force in the White Sox barrage of runs on Friday night as he found himself running around the base paths all night. On top of collecting three hits out of the leadoff spot, Anderson extended his hit-streak to 10 games and boosted his quickly-surging average to .312, good enough for sixth-best in the American League.
Dallas Keuchel: 7.0 IP, 7 H, ER, 3 SO, 1 BB
Despite giving up 11 hard-hit balls, Dallas Keuchel managed to turn in a quality start and earn the win for the White Sox. He delivered 7 innings of 1-run ball, fanning 3 and walking just one. The performance was his 7th win of the year, and he managed to lower his season-ERA to 4.25 despite surrendering 7 hits.
Keuchel was reliant on his fastball all night, throwing 68% fastballs throughout the game with 40% being the sinker (38 out of 96) and the cutter (25 out of 96). He was very efficient with his changeup, however, inducing six whiffs and three strikes looking out of 24 total changeups thrown. His average velocity on the sinker and cutter sat at 87.2 MPH and 83.9 MPH, respectively.
Michael Kopech: 1.0 IP, 3 SO
Michael Kopech looked just about as good as a pitcher could in just one inning of work. He was electric in his eighth inning outing, striking out the side with his blazing fastball which he seems to be throwing harder every day now. The five hardest pitches thrown in the game were courtesy of Kopech despite him throwing just 15 pitches. He topped at 100.3, the fastest of the game, and hit 100 once more at 100.2 to go along with a handful of 99s.
Andrew Vaughn: 3-for-5, 2B, R, BB
Andrew Vaughn quietly contributed a 3-hit night to the Sox cause, and he came around to score once after reaching base four times. He continued to smash the ball with exit velocities of 98.5, 98.7, and 83.8 on his hits, including a 100.6 MPH line-out in the 9th. He has been mashing lately regardless of the pitcher’s handedness, and he’s begun to show the exceptional barrel-to-ball skill that has so many people high on his hitting potential.
Matchup of the Game
Top 7: Gavin Sheets VS César Valdez
In a game that didn’t have many notable moments past the 6th inning, Gavin Sheets’ home run may have just been the most notable event of the game. As a native of Maryland, Sheets’ had his own personal cheering section at Camden Yards as his family came out to watch him continue the great pace he’s been at early in his career. He obliged by sending a 79.1 MPH changeup from Valdez 380 feet into the right-field bleachers at 102.5 MPH.
Player of the Game
Even with the barrage of an offensive onslaught the most valuable player on the field for the White Sox tonight was evident: Jose Abreu. Despite his on-and-off season, Abreu has been catching some fire in the past few days, and he continued that torrid pace by getting on base four times versus the Orioles and driving in three runners. He was nuking the ball all over the field, recording exit velocities of 105.1, 105.5, and 108.6, with the latter being his only out.
Looking Ahead
Game two of the White Sox three-game set with Baltimore will take place tomorrow at 3:05 PM CDT and will be broadcasted on NBC Sports Chicago, and Len Kasper and the radio crew will be on WMVP 1000 AM. Tony La Russa will hand the game-ball to Lucas Giolito (6-6) for the start, as the Orioles will oppose Giolito with their own California-born right-hander in Thomas Eshelman (0-1).
Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!
