Chicago White Sox make too many mistakes in loss to Indians

The Chicago White Sox fell to 3-5 overall this afternoon as a late rally came up short, losing to the Cleveland Indians, 4-2 at Progressive Field.

This was, in my opinion, the worst game the White Sox have played so far this season … not due to the score differential, but because of the way the White Sox lost it. Had they been competent in the field and taken advantage of their chances offensively, it is a game they could have easily won.

While the White Sox only had one error today, that doesn’t tell the full story.

A stolen base by Jason Kipnis in the fifth inning actually occurred on a successful pickoff attempt. John Danks had Kipnis picked off, but the Whit Sox infielders were unable to finish the play.

With Kipnis safe at second base, he later scored on a single by Carlos Santana, making the score 4-2 Cleveland. Not to mention earlier in the game, White Sox catcher Geovany Soto made a poor decision throwing the ball to second base on a bunt (the one error), opening the door for the Tribe to get on the board.

Another problem the White Sox had today was blowing chances to score. Down 1-0 in the fourth inning, they loaded the bases with one out, only to see J.B. Shuck pop up to third and Soto strike out to end the inning.

In total, the Sox left 10 men on base, which is unacceptable.

On the bright side, the bullpen looked solid once again. Matt Albers struck out the side in the sixth, and Dan Jennings pitched over a leadoff double in the seventh for a scoreless frame. Zach Putnam had his first good outing of the season, setting down the Indians in order in the eighth.

The White Sox blew a golden opportunity to at least tie the game in the ninth inning against the Indians closer Cody Allen.

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Manager Robin Ventura sent up Emilio Bonifacio to pinch hit for Soto, who subsequently walked. Micah Johnson came up next and was hit by a pitch. With two on and none out, Adam Eaton failed to get a bunt down three straight times. I don’t understand why he was bunting with two strikes, but he did and bunted it foul, therefore striking out.

Melky Cabrera then hit a one-hop rocket to shortstop, and the Tribe was able to get the force out at second and nearly turned two. The White Sox final hope was Jose Abreu, who struck out after a swing-and-miss on a pitch center cut on strike two.

So to recap this game, the White Sox looked awful today. With a series in Detroit next (starting Friday), the team needs to start playing better defense. If they don’t, expect them to lose another series.