Chicago White Sox break a 4-game skid in 10 innings

Jeff Samardzija helped the Chicago White Sox break another losing streak in Toronto, as he was strong for seven innings north of the border for a 5-3 Sox victory Wednesday.

Unfortunately for him, he did not get the win as closer David Robertson blew his second straight save in the afternoon game. The Sox did rally for two runs in the 10th, and Robertson came out to finish the game getting his fourth win of the season.

The White Sox got two gift runs in the top of the third. After a Geovany Soto groundout, Carlos Sanchez and Adam Eaton reached back-to-back on singles. Melky Cabrera then flew out, bringing Jose Abreu to the plate.

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Abreu hit was looked like a inning-ending fly ball to right field, however that wouldn’t be the case. Blue Jays right-fielder Ezequiel Carrera lost the ball in the sun allowing it to drop in. Because there were two outs in the inning, both Sanchez and Eaton were running on contact and scored easily.

Abreu ended up at second base. Adam LaRoche would reach on a hit-by-pitch, however Abreu was picked off second base by catcher Russell Martin to end the inning.

The third run of the game for the Sox came in the sixth inning. After an Adam LaRoche single, Alexei Ramirez grounded out to the pitcher, but LaRoche ended up on second base. J.B. Shuck singled to center, scoring LaRoche. Shuck tried to stretch the single into a double and was thrown out. Gordon Beckham ended the inning by striking out.

Toronto got on the board in the seventh. Kevin Pillar and Ryan Goins singled to lead off the inning. After a passed ball by Soto, Pillar and Goins were on second and third respectively. Samardzija was able to retire Jose Reyes on a ground ball to third, which prevented Pillar from scoring. That would be huge, considering later events. Josh Donaldson then hit a sac fly, which scored Pillar and moved Goins to third. Jose Bautista’s deep fly to left ended the inning and the day for Samardzija, who was sharp all afternoon.

Jake Petricka took the mound in the eighth for the White Sox. After retiring Edwin Encarnacion and Martin, Chris Colabello hit back-to-back singles for the Blue Jays.

Zach Putnam was brought in for the White Sox, who promptly gave up a base hit to Justin Smoak. Smoak had been brought in for Carrera, and delivered. Next, Gordon Beckham made a great play on Pillar keeping the ball in the infield and getting the out at second. Danny Valencia hit for Goins, and hit a rocket to first which Abreu backhanded for the final out of the inning.

Robertson came on with thoughts of redeeming himself after Tuesday’s blown save. After a strikeout of Reyes, Donaldson took Robertson way out to left which tied the game at three. That is how things ended in the ninth, as Robertson was able to keep the score at three-all.

The Sox got back on the scoreboard in the 10th.

With Roberto Osuna on the mound, Abreu of all people led off the inning with a triple to right. LaRoche then singled, giving the Sox the lead back.

Emilio Bonifacio came in to pinch run for LaRoche, which ended up helping out the Sox in a big way. The next batter, Ramirez hit a deep fly ball to left, however Colabello’s arm made it possible for Bonifacio to tag up and reach second. Shuck flew out to right, but Beckham’s double down the first base line put the Sox on top 5-3.

After blowing the save in the ninth, Robertson now had a chance for the win. Martin grounded out, but Colabello singled and Thole walked putting the winning run at home plate. Pillar struck out, and Danny Valencia grounded out to end the game.

While it may not have been perfect for the Sox, this win was definitely needed. The rest of the road trip will not be easy, and it is vital that the team does no worse than a spilt in Baltimore. Things could have really gotten ugly with a loss, however the team rallied together and got a win.

Next: Jose Abreu getting All-Star votes

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