White Sox swept in doubleheader by Angels
Jul 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman John McDonald (8) slides safely in front of the tag of Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers (21) during the eighth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Los Angeles Angels defeat the Chicago White Sox 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
That three-game winning streak was fun, but let’s welcome back the Chicago White Sox we’ve become accustomed to watching all season … the team where the pitching doesn’t backup the effort of the offense and losses occur.
The White Sox (39-46) didn’t have the best of days on Tuesday, losing two games to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by scores of 8-4 and 7-5 at US Cellular Field.
The doubleheader came about from a rainout on Monday night.
For the White Sox in game one of the twin bill, their first three runs were scored off a three-run home run in the first inning by Jose Abreu, his 26th of the season. Crossing home plate with Abreu were Adam Eaton and Gordon Beckham.
A 3-0 lead wasn’t enough for White Sox starter Hector Noesi, as one bad inning (in the fifth) by the right-hander led to a tied score, then a White Sox deficit.
Jul 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a three run home run against Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards (not pictured) during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Trout answered that home run in the fifth with a three-run homer for the Angels, which was followed by a solo home run by Albert Pujols.
The Angels added two more runs with one run in both the eighth and ninth innings, while Paul Konerko crossed home plate in the ninth for the White Sox.
Chicago totaled just three hits in game one, while the Angels had eight.
Noesi, who has a season ERA of 5.33, was charged with the loss, pitching just five innings, allowing five earned runs on three hits and seven walks. He gave up two home runs and struck out seven.
In game two, a plus was seeing the first home run of the season by Conor Gillaspie in the second inning off Angels starter Jered Weaver, who was the winning pitcher of game two.
After the home run by Gillaspie, the White Sox still trailed by a 3-2 score. The Angels added two more runs in the fifth and one in the sixth. The White Sox matched that with a three-run sixth, but the Angels added one last run in the seventh.
Gillaspie finished 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs in the second game.
For game two, the Angels had 12 hits, while the White Sox had nine.
Just like in game one, game two saw the starting pitching falter early on as Scott Carroll was charged with the loss. Carroll (2-5) went six innings, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and three walks. His season ERA jumped to 5.37.
For the two games combined, White Sox starting pitching allowed 13 hits and walked 10, while in the process giving up 12 earned runs.
These two are the No. 4 and No. 5 starters for the White Sox, and neither had anything to contribute in this doubleheader.
Also in both games combined on Tuesday, the Angels totaled 20 hits (12 in game two), while the White Sox managed 12 in both games combined.
These two teams finish up the series at 7:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday, and it will be the final time these two teams face each other in the ’14 regular season, as the White Sox are 0-5 against the Angels thus far.