White Sox lose game in 9th to Royals
Sep 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pinch runner Lane Adams (45) is out at second base as Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) turns a double play in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The bottom of the ninth inning for the Chicago White Sox was just another example of how defense and bullpen help is a big need for this team in the offseason.
Chicago didn’t keep the 3-0 lead they held through six innings, and eventually they allowed the game-tying and game-winning runs to cross home plate in the bottom of the ninth (with two outs) for the 4-3 loss, Monday.
Sep 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton (1) is congratulated by third baseman Conor Gillaspie (12) after scoring against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The first run of the ninth came with pinch runner Jarrod Dyson stealing third base, and in the process the pitch by Jake Petricka went wild, allowing him to slide head first to home for a 3-3 score.
Kansas City gained the win off an infield single that scored Terrance Gore. It wasn’t a pretty win by the Royals, but they did what they needed to do to stay in contention for the AL Central title with the Detroit Tigers.
As for the White Sox, their first run came off a first inning single to centerfield to score Adam Eaton.
The White Sox took a 3-0 lead with Eaton scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the third, and Alexei Ramirez off a single by Conor Gillaspie.
Eaton finished 3-for-5 with the two aforementioned runs. Ramirez, Jose Abreu and Garcia each had two hits. For the game, the White Sox totaled 13 hits.
Kansas City’s first run was scored in the bottom of the seventh with Omar Infante batting in Eric Hosmer.
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The blown save and loss by Petricka overshadowed the fact John Danks pitched one of his best games of the season, and at least since the second half of the season began after the All-Star break.
Danks went six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and four walks. He struck out six and saw his ERA move down to 4.88.
Credited with the win was Wade Davis (9-2) pitching a one-hit ninth. James Shields was the starter for the Royals, pitching seven innings. In those innings, he allowed 10 hits and three earned runs.
Again, I can’t stress just how much this game describes the White Sox entire season.
The White Sox have the talent on offense, and it showed with 13 hits, but the bullpen and defense just wasn’t there to back up not only the offensive effort, but the effort of the starting pitching. We’ve seen this a lot this season.
Let’s hope for a better result on Tuesday.