The White Sox struck like lightning in a monster fifth inning in which the team scored six runs off a home run from Adam Engel and extra-base hits from Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Luis Robert, and Leury Garcia.
W: Ross Detwiler | L: Kyle Hendricks | SV: Codi Heuer
Notable Performances
Luis Robert: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
Luis Robert had two great at-bats in the fourth and fifth innings. After striking out in his first time up, Robert adjusted and took some tempting offerings from Kyle Hendricks before singling to right field off another tough pitch. Then, he crushed an 0-2 mistake from Jharel Cotton 403 feet to center field for an RBI double in the fifth. Robert also, per usual, made some tough catches look routine in the outfield.
Jose Abreu: 2-for-3
Jose Abreu was the only White Sox hitter other than Robert to register more than one hit. While they were both singles, he still did a great job of keeping the fifth inning rally alive by dropping a nicely placed ball into right field to set up the ensuing run-scoring doubles.
Ross Detwiler & Jimmy Lambert: Combined 4.0 IP, 2 H, 6 K, 0 BB
The White Sox benefited from four innings of shutout relief pitching from Detwiler and Lambert, who were able to induce swings-and-misses from a pretty tough Cubs lineup.
Adam Engel: 1-for-4, HR, RBI
Unlike most of the lineup, Engel actually played the whole game (he moved from right field to center field once the White Sox took the lead). He deserves credit for beginning the team’s scoring frenzy with this mammoth shot off Kyle Hendricks.
Other Notables
After Carson Fulmer walked the bases loaded in the 8th inning, Codi Heuer entered the game and got Hernan Perez to fly out on one pitch. Heuer followed this up with a scoreless ninth, which earned him the save.
In addition to the hitters listed above, Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez, Yasmani Grandal (2B), Edwin Encarnacion (2B), and Leury Garcia (3B) also collected hits in limited playing time.
Moment of the Game
The moment of tonight’s game has to come from the fifth inning. It would be tough to pick a bad moment from that stretch, but since Yasmani Grandal had the go-ahead double, he gets the honor.
Player of the Game
Luis Robert gets the nod tonight. While there were plenty of options to choose from, a multi-hit performance and stellar defense in just five innings of action is too enticing to pass up.
Looking Ahead
The White Sox return home tomorrow night to play another exhibition game against the Cubs. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM CT at Guaranteed Rate Field. Dallas Keuchel will take the mound for the White Sox against the Cubs’ Yu Darvish.
Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!
espn.com is reporting the final as 6-3. That’s just one example. Who’s right?
ESPN and MLB.com are, for whatever reason, excluding a run scored on a wild pitch when Delmonico was batting later in the game. The final score was 7-3