Michael Kopech and the bullpen lead the way in White Sox win

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 16: Starting pitcher Michael Kopech #34 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the baseball in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 16, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 16: Starting pitcher Michael Kopech #34 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the baseball in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 16, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

The Chicago White Sox came into Saturday’s game with a record of 5-2. It was a really nice start to the season as they won the first two series and the first game of this one against the Tampa Bay Rays. In this Saturday day match, the White Sox won their third series of the season with another 3-2 win over Tampa.

Michael Kopech made his second start of the season in this one and he was absolutely terrific. He had a tough first inning that was aided by a fielding error and the Rays took a 1-0 lead. From there, he was amazing and didn’t allow another run.

Kopech went 5.0 innings with one run, one hit, two walks, and five strikeouts. It was awesome to see him end up going five innings strong after the first inning that he had in the ballgame. He handled some really good Tampa Bay hitters throughout the game.

Jose Abreu hit a monster two-run home run with Tim Anderson on base to get the White Sox up 2-1. It was Abreu’s first of the season after some horrid luck with his hard-hit balls in the first week of the year. If he can really bring it now, this lineup will be even more dangerous.

Michael Kopech and the bullpen all helped the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.

Kopech handed the ball off to Reynaldo Lopez for the sixth inning and the Rays were able to scrape together a run to tie the game. Kopech was no longer able to win but the team was in a good spot because of him. From there, the bullpen was lights out.

Jose Ruiz had the best inning that he has ever had in a White Sox uniform. He struck out three Tampa Bay Rays hitters to get them out of the seventh with ease. Bennett Sousa followed up with a clean inning right after that. Two of his three outs came via the strikeout so there wasn’t much in play for the White Sox defense.

In the ninth inning, on his bobblehead day, Liam Hendriks came in looking for his fourth save of the young season. He did it but it wasn’t as easy for him as it was one night earlier. it would be nice to avoid innings like that for him with only a one-run lead but a win is a win. In the end, he did his job.

Speaking of doing your job, Michael Kopech and the bullpen arms that were used did theirs and did theirs well. That is going to be a big key for this team all season long. It is even more needed while Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn are out.

Once they are back along with Joe Kelly, the sky is the limit for this staff. They will have Vince Velasquez pitching on Easter Sunday when the White Sox try to sweep a team for the first time this season. It isn’t going to be easy but it is going to be fun.

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