Well, here’s a recap I wasn’t expecting to write. But the White Sox are one game back in the AL Central.
In a highly anticipated matchup between the AL Cy Young frontrunners, it would be a game that came down to the bullpens. Dylan Cease would complete five innings in his outing, giving up three runs while not being his sharpest. He deserved better than he got, however, as two of the three runs scored following a misplayed fly ball by Andrew Vaughn in right field. Justin Verlander, on the other side, looked as though he was prepared to out-duel Cease. Through six innings, Verlander had given up just one run on a single by Josh Harrison and was on cruise control. However, after a single by Josh Harrison and a walk by Seby Zavala, Gavin Sheets would pinch-hit and tie the game at three.
The game would remain tied heading into the bottom of the eighth. After a leadoff walk by Eloy Jimenez and single by Jose Abreu, the Sox had two runners on with no one out. Yasmani Grandal would ground into a double play, sending pinch runner Adam Engel to third. From there, it was up to last night’s hero Yoan Moncada, and he would come through once again.
The bullpen behind Dylan Cease was not the main storyline of the night, but they deserve plenty of recognition. Jose Ruiz, Vince Velasquez, Jimmy Lambert, and Liam Hendriks each turned in a scoreless inning in the winning effort.
With the win, the White Sox have won five straight ballgames and seven straight games at home.
W: Jimmy Lambert (1-2) | L: Hector Neris (4-4) | S: Liam Hendriks (27)
StatCast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap:
Pitching Recap:
White Sox Scoring Recap:
Bottom 2nd: Josh Harrison singles to 2B. Jose Abreu scores. 1-0 White Sox
Bottom 7th: Gavin Sheets doubles to RF. Josh Harrison, Seby Zavala score. 3-3 Tie
Bottom 8th: Yoan Moncada singles to CF. Adam Engel scores. 4-3 White Sox
Notable Performances
Dylan Cease: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
It wasn’t Dylan Cease’s best night, but at the same time, he also pitched better than his line might suggest. He looked to have gotten himself out of his third inning jam, but after the misplay by Andrew Vaughn, would have to throw an extra 10-15 pitches. His ERA remains right around 2.00 on the season at 2.09 in a solid effort that would’ve spiraled in previous seasons for Cease.
Yoan Moncada: 1-for-4, RBI
Yo knows clutch, and he did it again tonight.
Jose Abreu: 3-for-4, R
It was a quietly productive night for Abreu, who racked up three hits in the effort
Gavin Sheets: 1-for-1, 2B, 2 RBI
Gavin Sheets has been a completely different hitter since he came back from Charlotte earlier this season, and has done an incredibly job off the bench. He is now 5-for-10 off the bench as a pinch-hitter.
Other Game Highlights
Next Matchup
The White Sox and Astros will do battle for the third game of a four-game series tomorrow night, and Michael Kopech will take the mound against Framber Valdez.
The game will begin at 7:10 PM CT over on NBC Sports Chicago.
Follow us @SoxOn35th for more updates throughout the season!
Featured Image: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
