After getting swept by the Los Angeles Angels the White Sox traveled to Seattle in hopes to secure their first win in the second half of the 2016 season.
Sandwiched between two blowouts in the series against the Angels, was a brilliant start from James Shields in which he went eight innings and allowed just one earned run off of two hits to a Los Angeles offense that is always a threat to explode. Other than that fantastic outing (which still resulted in a loss) the White Sox have not looked good so far coming out of the All-Star break. Unfortunatetly for the White Sox, they would lose their fifth consecutive game on Monday night to the Seattle Mariners 4-3.
Manager Robin Ventura sent All-Star game starter Chris Sale to the mound in Monday’s opening game of a three-game set against the Mariners. Sale entered the game leading the American League with fourteen wins and aimed to improve upon that number. Things got off to a good start as hot-swinging rookie shortstop Tim Anderson blasted a solo home run in the first inning to put the White Sox up right away. Todd Frazier added a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to give Chris Sale a couple more runs to work with.
Sale was absolutely dominant across his eight innings of work, allowing just one hit while walking three and striking out six. Ventura opted to call upon his closer David Robertson to pitch the ninth inning. Any other time Robertson would be lights-out, but the Mariners were able to touch him up for four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, three of them coming on a walk-off home run off the bat of pinch hitter Adam Lind.
Robertson was very vocal about his performance in his post-game interviews, telling Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune “We deserved this one, and I screwed it up.” Robertson, who came away from the game with his third blown save of the season, received positive marks and high praise in Southside Showdown’s first half player grades.
Next: Carson Fulmer Impressive for White Sox in Debut
If the Sox are looking to stay competitive then it is crucial they win ballgames now, otherwise we might be seeing some players dealt to serious contenders once the trade deadline rolls around. Jose Quintana (7-8. 3.21) will pitch tonight against Seattle’s Wade Miley (6-6, 5.44) as the White Sox look to claim their first victory of the second half and turn things around while a sliver of playoff hope remains.
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