It was a wild night at Guaranteed Rate Field. Remember that old slogan “Winning Ugly’? Well that is exactly what the Sox did this evening. They did not get much out of Reynaldo Lopez, who lasted just four innings, surrendering two runs on six hits. They had some flat at bat’s and a defensive blunder in the ninth that nearly cost them the game. However, for every little negative, they did something positive. For as many flat at bat’s as they had, there were several where they worked the count beautifully. And, of course, Grandal made up for his mistake with the walk off bomb.
The White Sox are now 20-12, and find themselves in a 3-way tie for first in the American League Central.
W: Alex Colome (1-0) | L: Ian Kennedy (0-2)
Notable Performances
Eloy Jimenez: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
Eloy Jimenez is currently the best hitting left fielder in the American League, and he added another homer tonight, his 11th of the season. In addition, he showed a lot of discipline at the plate, as he took a walk that eventually led to the game tying run in the bottom of the seventh. Jimenez continues to stay hot.
Yoan Moncada: 2-for-4, RBI, R
Moncada had a nice game, as he drove in the then go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh after a 10 pitch at bat in which he fought off a lot of tough pitches. He eventually drove a fastball to right field, driving in Jimenez. For the first half of the season, we were preaching on how the Sox needed better plate discipline. Tonight proved that it’s something they are for sure working on.
Luis Robert: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, run
La Pantera adds yet another home run to his rookie resume, bringing his season total to eight. In addition, Robert also managed to get on base with a single and scored a run. He also had a veteran-like at bat, a 10 pitch at-bat that resulted in his second hit of the evening.
Moment of the Game
Tonight’s “Moment of the Game” is a no doubter. Yasmani Grandal’s walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth. After being largely responsible for the defensive blunder in the top of the ninth, he made up for it with a walk-off homer off Ian Kennedy. That homer was Grandal’s fourth of the season, and the 51st home run of August for the White Sox.
Player of the Game
The Player of the Game is Yoan Moncada. He drove in the go-ahead run in the 7th, after a lengthy at bat, where he fought off a lot of tough pitches. His composure at the plate and ability to work the count was phenomenal tonight, and it helped the White Sox squeak out a heard-earned victory.
Looking Ahead
The White Sox have a quick turnaround, as they will be back at it tomorrow afternoon. Dylan Cease will get the start for the Sox and rookie Brady Singer will be on the hill for Kansas City. First pitch will be at 1:10 p.m. live on NBC Sports Chicago, and the MyTeams app.
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