Apr 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) during the second inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
How about that ninth inning by the Chicago White Sox? How about that game from Jose Abreu?
What a game … what a win for the Chicago White Sox, sending the Tampa Bay Rays to a loss by a 9-6 score.
In the word of Hawk Harrelson … YEEEEES!
That ninth inning seemed so far away after the first two innings, but the effort the White Sox showed when trailing by two runs after an awful top of the ninth made all of the adversity the White Sox overcame in that inning well worth it.
Here, let’s go through the bottom of the ninth:
Alejandro De Aza doubled with one out … followed with a walk by Tyler Flowers … With Leury in as a pinch runner for Flowers, Paul Konerko followed with a walk, and a few words for Grant Balfour, as he made his way to first base.
From there, Adrian Nieto came in as a pinch runner for Paulie, with the second out being made on a force out at second, but the speed and effort of Adam Eaton kept the game alive (even after the replay). Marcus Semien walked to load the bases with two outs.
And then it happened. Abreu hit his walk-off grand slam to win the game 9-6, moving the White Sox to a 12-12 mark on the year.
By the way, it was Abreu’s second home run of the night, and his ninth of the season, setting the record for most home runs by a rookie in MLB history in the month of April.
He’s also tied with Albert Pujols for the AL lead for home runs.
What a night and what a game.
Mercy.
Like Hawk said when celebrating this win … this team doesn’t quit. Let me say it again … THIS TEAM DOESN’T QUIT!
Sure, they have a bad game here and there, and tonight early on looked like it was going to be one of this bad nights, but they managed to put together a good bullpen effort for the most part (excluding Matt Lindstrom‘s ninth inning) with Jake Petricka, Zach Putnam and even Ronald Belisario putting together 6.1 innings of scoreless relief.
Erik Johnson didn’t fare so well in his start, going 1.2 innings, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks. He struck out just one … it just wasn’t his night. That will happen with a young pitcher learning the majors, and I can live with it if he has more good outings than bad.
He’ll rebound.
The closer position worries me with this team, but I’ll stay away from that tonight and just bask in what the offense did for this team to rally when it looked all but over and gain a win in the first of four against the Rays.
Now to keep this momentum going for Saturday’s game.
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