The White Sox vs. Astros with Mitch Williams on the broadcast team: Strictly for the hard core. It was the hard core Astros fans that came away from this one feeling satisfied as Lucas Harrell bested John Danks to give Houston their second win in as many tries against the Sox.
White Sox (28-37): 3
Astros (25-44): 4
“We can’t lose ’em all!” Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Harrell largely manhandled the White Sox for 6 innings after a stalled start in the 1st inning that saw a Paul Konerko RBI to put the Sox up a run. His offense stepped in and hit John Danks fairly hard to put the Pale Hose at a 4-1 deficit. Two of those runs coming in the 4th inning via solo homeruns by Jason Castro and Chris Carter. Danks was not laboring out there, but when he got hit, he got hit hard. His night lasted 6 innings and he was charged with all 4 of the Astros runs.
For the White Sox offense, they had to wait for Harrell to wear down, and it turns out he did. Almost as if they were familiar with him. Adam Dunn lead off the 7th with a solo homerun of his own to get things started, and Conor Gillaspie found himself standing on second after singling and advancing on a fielding error. Gordon Beckham’s ground rule double drove him home and the White Sox were in business. Once Tyler Flowers singled up the middle Bo Porter knew it was time to take Harrell down.
In the 8th with the Sox still down a run and runners at the corners, Robin Ventura elected to send out Jeff Keppinger to pinch hit for Conor Gillaspie with left hander Wesley Wright on the mound. Porter countered with Hector Ambriz, and the result was a groundout to short, runners stranded, threat ended. The 9th brought hope as well. Dayan Viciedo lead off with a walk, saw it with my own eyes. Jordan Danks was brought on to pinch-run and he stole second while Gordon Beckham worked on a strikeout. After a Tyler Flowers strikeout, Danks was caught sleeping out there and closer Jose Veras picked him off at second to end the game. Lovely.
Plus: The bullpen kept it together and kept the White Sox in the game after Danks’ departure. Matt Lindstrom and Nate Jones allowed the game to stay interesting.
Minus: Interesting as in it was close. The White Sox offense is decidedly uninteresting. There were runs, sure, more than last night. And there were hits, yes, the Sox actually out hit the Astros in this one. But apparently there were not enough hits and there were definitely not enough runs and I don’t even know how to comment on the tying run getting picked off to end the game. The struggle continues.
Player of the Game:
Alexei Ramirez – .161 Win Probability Added