Chicago White Sox run out of pitching; lose to Red Sox in 14 innings
Apr 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Marcus Semien (5) makes a double play against Boston Red Sox left fielder Jonny Gomes (5) during the eighth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
If only the Chicago White Sox has a consistent bullpen, right?
The second game of the series against the Boston Red Sox at US Cellular Field wasn’t pretty, and once the game was complete, the White Sox lost by a 4-2 score in 14 innings.
Chicago ran out of pitching, using reserve infielder Leury Garcia as an emergency pitcher in the 14th, as once again, the bullpen imploded when asked to hold onto a victory.
OK, not all of the bullpen, but most of it.
Ronald Belisario was good for his one inning of work, allowing no runs or hits.
Scott Downs couldn’t get one out when called upon, and neither could Jake Petricka. Downs allowed one earned run by walking the only batter he faced. Petricka walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases on walks.
Petricka eventually gave up a run (though charged to Downs). Donnie Veal and Maikel Cleto combined for four walks and an earned run, but both received holds.
Even though the bullpen was being rattled, the White Sox still had a chance to save the game with a win in the ninth inning.
They didn’t.
Matt Lindstrom replaced Cleto after two walks to start the ninth, eventually blowing the save opportunity. Boston tied the game in the ninth at 2-2. The hit allowed by Lindstrom was the first hit the Red Sox had since starter John Danks left the game, and he only allowed three in six innings.
This was Lindstrom’s third blown save of the season, so my question is who wants to step up and be the closer of this team?
Anyone?
Daniel Webb did all he could when asked to three three innings, allowing one run on three walks and one hit. The the loss was charged to Leury Garcia who is normally a position player off the bench. He went one inning, allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks.
The way I look at it, the White Sox should have won this game in the ninth inning when they had the one-run lead, but this bullpen, following a nice outing on Tuesday, went back to their inconsistent ways the very next day.
It is time to forget this one, and hope Chris Sale can save the bullpen on Thursday, by pitching a lot of innings for the win.
More thoughts and facts:
• John Danks deserved a lot batter than a no-decision. In his six innings pitched he walked four and struck out three. He worked out of jams, and only allowed the one earned run. I feel much better about him going to the mound than I did at the start of the season.
• The offense of the White Sox had 10 hits and walked three times. In comparison, the Red Sox had six hits and forced 15 walks.
• How often does this happen … the White Sox were 3-for-12 with RISP, leaving 10 stranded. The Red Sox were 3-for-17 with RISP and left 16 runners on the bases.
• Conor Gillaspie and Adrian Nieto each led the White Sox with two hits. Alexei Ramirez had two RBIs and Tyler Flowers had the other White Sox RBI.
• Jose Abreu continued his slide from the Cleveland series as he was 0-for-6 with a strikeout. He is now batting .217 on the season. Patience will be the key for Abreu.
• The winning pitcher was Chris Capuano and the save went to Burke Badenhop.
• My final thoughts are at least this team kept battling. I wish the pitching in the late innings would become more reliable, instead of being good once, followed by a few bad days … that can’t happen if this team wants to compete.
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