It started out as a pitchers’ duel through five and a half innings, and ended as anything but that. The White Sox used some late offense to back up an excellent start from Dylan Cease and pick up a win against the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles. Yermin Mercedes, Jose Abreu, and Billy Hamilton drove in the five runs for the White Sox today, while Dylan Cease threw over 100 pitches for the first time this season in a gutsy six inning performance. In total, the White Sox struck out 16 Orioles pitchers on their way to the victory.
With the win, the White Sox improved to 29-20.
W: Dylan Cease (3-1) | L: Dillon Tate (0-2)
Savant Leaders
Notable Performances
Dylan Cease: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 29 Swinging Strikes
Dylan Cease didn’t have the best command of his stuff tonight, but it was far better than it’s been in the past. He battled through six strong innings and worked out a jam in the sixth inning to hold the Orioles to one run. His 29 swinging strikes were not only impressive, but the second-most swinging strikes recorded by a White Sox pitcher in the StatCast era (most: Lucas Giolito with 30 during his no-hitter).
Even when he isn’t incredibly sharp, Cease is a really, really good pitcher.
Yermin Mercedes: 2-for-3, HR, 1B, 3 RBI
The Yerminator made his return tonight, driving in three of the White Sox’ five runs on the evening with a solo homer (on a 3-0 pitch) and a two-run RBI single in the eighth. With the effort, Mercedes kept his batting average at .340, and more importantly, hopefully broke himself out of his little slump.
Billy Hamilton: 1-for-4, 1B, RBI
Billy Hamilton has found the perfect opportunities this season to contribute, and he couldn’t have picked a better one tonight. With a couple runners on and the game tied late into this one, Hamilton laced a single into CF to give the White Sox a lead they wouldn’t give back.
Jose Abreu: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Abreu didn’t have a super productive day, but he came through when it counted, driving in an RBI double in the seventh inning to put a little distance between the Sox and Orioles late in the game. Abreu’s average now sits at .256 on the season and he works out of his early-season slump.
White Sox Offense (Total): 12 hits, 4 BB, 3-for-10 RISP
The White Sox’ offense clicked towards the end of the game today, and when it was all said and done, the White Sox hammered out 12 hits, with Yoan Moncada as the only starter to not record a hit. All told: a solid day for the White Sox.
Matchup of the Game
With the game hanging in the balance in the top of the sixth inning, Dylan Cease was in a bit of self-created trouble. With men at first and second with no outs, Tony La Russa left the young right-handed in the 1-1 ballgame to work out of his jam. After getting a strikeout and a flyout, Cease finished off Stevie Wilkerson to end the sixth inning and his night. The White Sox would get the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth and wouldn’t look back.
Player of the Game
Player of the Game honors have to go to Dylan Cease. Not only did he keep the White Sox in a game where the offense didn’t show up until late, but he battled in high leverage situations and worked his way out of them. Lots of growth in a game like today for Cease.
Next Game
The White Sox and Orioles do battle again tomorrow evening, as Matt Harvey will go against Dallas Keuchel at 7:10 PM CT. The game will be viewable, as always, on NBC Sports Chicago.
