Bullpen shuts down Padres as the White Sox snap a six game losing streak in dramatic fashion. The series with San Diego is now even at 1-1.
Dylan Covey had one of his better starts of the season on Saturday night. After giving up a lead-off home run on the first pitch, the righty was able to settle down a bit. Covey pitched 4.1 innings, striking out nine batters, and giving up three runs, a huge improvement compared to previous outings.
As in past games, the long ball caused the most damage for Covey. He surrendered two to the Padres, bringing his total of home runs given up on the season to nine. While this continues to be an issue, the White Sox offense did not let it bother them on Saturday night.
More from White Sox News
- The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
- The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
- Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
- Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
Right fielder Avisail Garcia provided the power for the Sox early on, launching his sixth home run to center field in the bottom of the second. Two innings later, Garcia walked after three wild pitches from Trevor Cahill, which also allowed Jose Abreu to advance all the way from first to score. Some timely contact from Leury Garcia and Melky Cabrera added two more runs in the bottom of the 5th for the Sox.
After Covey’s departure, the White Sox bullpen pitched 4.2 solid innings of relief. Kahnle gave up the bullpen’s only run on a solo shot by Wil Myers. Dan Jennings and David Robertson followed in the eighth and ninth respectively, contributing lights out relief to keep the game tied at four.
Leading off the bottom of the ninth inning was Tyler Saladino, who reached base with a dreaded, lead-off walk. A quick sacrifice bunt by Leury Garcia advanced Saladino to second base, putting him in scoring position with only one out. The next batter, Yolmer Sanchez, delivered the clutch hit of the night. Sanchez smoked a ground ball right up the middle leading to a close play at the plate. Thanks to Saladino’s crafty slide, he avoided the tag and completed the walk-off win for the South Siders.
Next: Carson Fulmer Records 8 Strikeouts
The White Sox are back in action on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. CDT, in the rubber match of the series. Jose Quintana will get the start for Chicago and face San Diego’s Jered Weaver.