How’s that for a series against the former best team in the American League?!?
The White Sox were rolling early in this one, posting leads of 4-0, 7-2, and 7-3 before heading into the 7th inning. Lucas Giolito was sharp over six, but the bullpen of Codi Heuer, Aaron Bummer, and Evan Marshall turned that 7-3 lead into a 7-7 game heading into the ninth inning.
Evan Marshall and Ryan Burr posted clean ninth and tenth innings, respectively, and your writer’s personal favorite topic of conversation this season – Yasmani Grandal – sent the fans home happy.
On offense, Brian Goodwin was the only starter to not register a hit, while Jose Abreu left the yard for the first time in June.
With the win, the White Sox are 42-25, which is the best record in Major League Baseball.
W: Ryan Burr (1-0) | L: Pete Fairbanks (1-1)
Savant Leaders
Notable Performances
Lucas Giolito: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 16 Swinging Strikes
Lucas Giolito fired off another strong performance this afternoon against a really good offense, striking out seven across six solid innings of quality work. Giolito has now gone at least six innings in his last seven starts, and as he adds his curveball to his arsenal, he continues to develop into the strongest form of himself as we head into the middle of the season.
Yasmani Grandal: 1-for-4, 1B, RBI, BB, 2 K
Grandal fired off his scheduled walk earlier in the afternoon but saved his big moment for the last inning, driving a Pete Fairbanks slider into the right field corner that just missed getting out by a couple of feet.
With the hit, Grandal’s average now sits at .152 on the season with a still incredible .382 OBP.
Andrew Vaughn: 3-for-5, RBI, 3 R, 2 K
Andrew Vaughn continues to bash lefties this season, and his move to the three-hole against a LHP today ended up being a great move. Vaughn banged out three hits and scored three times, making a large contribution to the winning effort in this one.
Jose Abreu: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Abreu hasn’t had a great month of June so far, hitting .196/.212/.294 coming into today’s action. While he only had one hit on the day, it was an important one for the White Sox. Hopefully, it’s one that turns his month around a bit.
Ryan Burr: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Ryan Burr was absolutely nails out of the bullpen in the tenth inning, no other way to really put it. Incredible effort from him to send the Sox to the bottom of the tenth with a chance to win it.
Other Notables: Leury Garcia’s Defense, Jake Lamb RBI 1B, Zack Collins (2-for-4)
Moment and Player of the Game
Why do we like Yaz? …. Because he gets on base.
Next Game
The tough stretch of games doesn’t end with the Rays, as the White Sox will fly down to Houston tonight to begin a four-game set with the Astros tomorrow evening at 7:10 PM CT.
Dylan Cease will take the mound against Jose Urquidy, and the game will be on NBC Sports Chicago as always.
Don’t stop now, boys.
