The unlikely hero delivers late for the White Sox.
After eight scoreless innings of baseball that started in a pitchers’ duel between Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb, Leury Garcia delivered the go-ahead knock with two outs in the ninth inning. The inning wasn’t without its gifts, as Brandon Belt committed a throwing error that allowed Sheets to reach to start the rally, and a bounce off the third base bag on AJ Pollock’s single set the scene for Garcia. Giants Closer Camilo Doval hung a slider with two strikes, and Garcia didn’t miss it, as Adam Haseley slid in right before Mike Yazstremski’s throw to serve as the only offense on the night.
Lance Lynn was solid all evening for the White Sox, working around a nearly 30-pitch first inning to complete six innings of scoreless baseball. With tonight’s start, he has yet to allow a run in three career outings in Oracle Park. He did tweak his right knee in the third inning, and though the training staff did check on Lynn, he would remain in the game for the next three innings. Lynn was followed on the evening by Joe Kelly, Tanner Banks, and interim closer Kendall Graveman on their way to the shutout victory. Banks was the only reliever who really faced any sort of trouble, but induced a double play immediately after walking the leadoff batter to end any thoughts of a rally for the Giants.
With the win, the White Sox improve to 36-39 and don’t lose any ground in the AL Central.
W: Tanner Banks (1-0) | L: Camilo Doval (2-4) | S: Kendall Graveman (4)
StatCast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap:
Pitching Recap:
White Sox Scoring Recap:
Top 9th: Leury Garcia singles to RF. Adam Haseley scores. 1-0 White Sox
Notable Performances
Lance Lynn: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Lynn threw nearly 30 pitches in his first inning and still find a way to bear down and finish six innings of scoreless baseball. He struggled with his command at points throughout the night, but once he got through the first inning, he largely mowed down the Giants’ lineup all night.
Leury Garcia: 2-for-4, RBI, K
It’s been far from an ideal season for Leury Garcia, but he delivered two hits in this one, including a ninth-inning go-ahead base hit with two strikes and two outs. Garcia’s batting average now sits at .200 on the season, but given how often his name appears in the lineup care, hopefully, this is the start of a turnaround for Garcia.
The Next Matchup
Dylan Cease will return to the mound tomorrow after his 13-strikeout performance against the Baltimore Orioles last weekend. He will face off against Logan Webb in what promises to be a pretty good game between two young pitchers.
The game will start at 3:05 CT on NBC Sports Chicago.
Follow us @SoxOn35th for more updates throughout the season!
Featured Image: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
