“2020 is different in so many ways, White Sox fans,” Jason Benetti echoed after Nomar Mazara drove in a pair of insurance runs in the top of the 9th. The White Sox are in sole possession of first place after a huge 8-5 win tonight – a night that got off to a rough start, featuring a third inning in which the White Sox committed three errors. As a result of that trio of mistakes, the Twins took a 4-0 lead after a solo homer by Miguel San the next inning. But Giolito settled into a groove, and the offense picked up the slack.
The White Sox are now 22-13, and they lead the AL Central as a result of a win and a 2-1 Indians loss to the Royals.
W: Matt Foster (4-0) | L: Taylor Rogers (1-3) | S: Alex Colome (7)
Notable Performances
Luis Robert: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, BB, 2 RBI
When Luis Robert is in the game, you can’t help but to stop what you are doing and watch him play baseball. His speed, power, and demeanor are so unified and he is becoming a super star. Tonight, and yesterday, he was a hero. Tonight he hammered a 449-foot bomb of a homer to straight away center. That tied the game at five. In the ninth, his ground rule double propelled the Sox to the lead.
Jose Abreu: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2B
Abreu’s MVP caliber season continued tonight as his clutch 2-RBI double tied the game at four in the in the sixth. Plays like these have not happened in past Sox seasons. Coming up in clutch moments has been a theme in 2020, and that theme continues to lead the South Siders to racking up wins.
The Bullpen: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
After a weekend in which the Sox’ pen had an ERA of 6.42, they rebounded big time tonight. A dangerous offensive team, the Twins could not find any success against the group of Heuer, Fry, Foster, and Colome. The White Sox bullpen is one of the best in baseball, and they continue to confirm that.
Moment of the Game
This game had several notable moments. However, Luis Robert’s RBI ground-rule double in the top of the ninth takes the honors. As a result of a dropped ball by Twins right fielder Max Kepler, Yolmer Sanchez pinch ran for Encarnacion, and Robert came through.
Player of the Game
For the second straight game, Luis Robert was the hero and Player of the Game. His home run and RBI in the ninth were crucial to the Sox winning this game. Many have begun to write Robert off as a Rookie of the Year candidate, but he’s proven he belongs in that conversation. Luis Robert is now batting .298 with 10 homers and 24 RBI’s.
Looking Ahead
The White Sox will take on the Twins in game two of three tomorrow evening. Dallas Keuchel will take the hill for the South Siders, and Michael Pineda will make his first start of the season for Minnesota. First pitch is at 7:10 on NBC Sports Chicago and the MyTeams app.
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