White Sox drop game two of current series against crosstown rival after costly mistake allows the opponent to get back ahead and never look back.
Lucas Giolito pitched 6.2 innings for the White Sox but was unable to record his 11th win of the season. The Sox fell to the Cubs 8-3 on Saturday night after a costly mistake put the pale hose behind for good. With the loss, the Sox also failed to win the Crosstown Cup for the second consecutive year.
The Cubs jumped ahead early 2-0 in Saturday’s game after a two-run home run hit by National League MVP candidate Javier Baez. Despite trailing the Cubs after the first inning for the second consecutive game, the Sox would eventually tie their crosstown rival.
After Avisail Garcia hit an RBI single to cut the Sox deficit to 2-1 in the first inning, Tim Anderson would hit a solo home run in the third inning to tie the game at 2-2. The home run was Anderson’s 20th of the season and he became the first shortstop in Sox history to hit 20 or more home runs and steal 20 or more bases in a single season.
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Although Giolito was down early in Saturday’s game, he held the Cubs scoreless until the fifth inning. It appeared Giolito was in for a strong start at home, but a misplayed ball in the fifth inning would prove to be disastrous for the Sox. With runners on first and second base, Daniel Murphy hit what should have been a flyout to left field.
Unfortunately, Ryan LaMarre misplayed the ball and it just went over his head for a run-scoring double. This would put the Cubs ahead 3-2. They would score two more runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead to 5-2. The Sox would score in the bottom of the fifth inning but never got any closer as the Cubs added three more runs in the ninth inning.
For Giolito, he finished Saturday recording five strikeouts but also gave up five earned runs. With the loss, his record sits at 10-12 in his first full season pitching in MLB. The 24-year-old starter won’t finish 2018 with a .500 record, but he still has a chance to end this season on a good note with another start coming up.
The Sox will conclude their series with the Cubs on Sunday. Carlos Rodon will start for the Sox with Kyle Hendricks starting for the Cubs. Sunday will also mark the final career broadcast for Ken ‘Hawk’ Harrelson.