It wasn’t pretty, but the Chicago White Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-3 after 11 innings on Saturday night.
The day started off rough for Chicago with Michael Kopech being placed on the 15-day IL, and Johnny Cueto‘s start tonight was scratched due to illness. Davis Martin was recalled from Charlotte and pitched quite well to help keep the White Sox afloat for the game. In 6.0 IP, Martin allowed only one run in 85 pitches. Martin was followed by a lights out Joe Kelly in the 7th. However, Kendall Graveman allowed a run to score in the 8th inning, which tied the game. Reynaldo Lopez pitched a scoreless 9th, and into extra innings we went. Liam Hendriks worked out of an early jam in the bottom of the 10th and ultimately did not allow a run to score. After the White Sox scored two runs in the top of the 11th, Aaron Bummer converted his second save of the season.
The offense did not really show up today, but it did just enough to eke out a victory. AJ Pollock hit a go-ahead single in the 7th inning which scored Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn, bringing the Sox up 2-1 at the time. The Tigers would later tie the game in the bottom of the 8th. The Sox failed to even move the runner from second to third in the top of the 10th inning, let alone score, yet Hendriks stopped the Tigers from scoring as well. A Yoan Moncada single and an Eloy Jimenez sacrifice fly in the 11th brought the Pale Hose up 4-2 after the top of the 11th. The White Sox ultimately won the game 4-3. As stated earlier, this win was not pretty, but a win is a win.
W: Hendriks (4-4) | L: Soto (2-9) | SV: Bummer (2)
StatCast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap:
Pitching Recap:
White Sox Scoring Recap:
Top 7th: AJ Pollock singles to center. Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn score. 2-1 Sox
Top 11th: Yoan Moncada singles to left. Seby Zavala scores. 3-2 Sox
Top 11th: Eloy Jimenez sacrifice fly. Yoan Moncada scores 4-2 Sox
Notable Performances
Davis Martin: 6.0 IP, 5K, 1 BB, 1 ER, 3 hits
The Detroit Tigers are not an offensive juggernaut, but still, every game now is a must-win game, and Martin did his part to help the White Sox win. Not only did he pull off an impressive stat line on its own, but to do so on such short notice is very impressive.
Yoan Moncada: 2 for 5, go-ahead RBI
*clears throat*
*takes a deep breath*
YO. KNOWS. CLUTCH.
AJ Pollock: 1 for 4, 2 RBI
Despite the White Sox offense seemingly not showing up again, AJ Pollock put the South Siders on the board late in the game with a pair of go-ahead RBIs.
Next Match Up
The White Sox will look come away with a series win tomorrow against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. As of now, Johnny Cueto is expected to start for the White Sox on Sunday and will face off against Drew Hutchison for the Tigers. However, if Cueto is still feeling ill, the White Sox may use Sunday’s game as a bullpen day.
Game time will be at 11:10 AM CT on NBC Sports Chicago.
Be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!
Featured Photo: © Brian Sevald-USA TODAY Sports
You’re right — Detroit is not an offensive juggernaut. Nor is Oakland. Or Kansas City. Or Colorado. But it hardly matters, does it, since the Sox are no offensive juggernaut either. Just offensive. If you can’t beat theses teams forcefully and decidedly, and even sweep them when you have to, then maybe you’re not much better than they are. If at all. And, so, maybe, these Sox are not as good…not even as talented…as the media, as the team’s PR department would have us all believe. And it has nothing to do with Tony LaRussa. If the White Sox do somehow manage to sneak into the playoffs, they’re toast anyway. No matter who they play.