The Chicago White Sox played a hard-fought game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night and the game almost slipped away from them. However, due to true diligence and talent, they were able to beat the Blue Jays in 12 innings 7-6.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the game was the fact that starting pitcher Dylan Cease was elite. After previous struggles, he came in and did extremely well against a dangerous Toronto team. There was no denying Cease on this day.
To start off, Cease was red hot. He struck out the first three batters of the first inning quickly. His pitches were easily fooling the batters and it appeared as if Cease would have an excellent game.
Cease started off with five strikeouts in a row before the final out of the second inning came on a catch by Danny Mendick in foul territory.
Dylan Cease dominated and helped the Chicago White Sox eventually win.
The third inning saw Cease start off with a strikeout. The next batter flew out to Josh Harrison and the third batter hit a short hopper that was thrown to first for the out. Cease was moving right along and giving up nothing.
The fourth inning began with Cease striking out George Springer. Bo Bichette was up next and he was walked for Cease’s first walk of the game. Vladimir Gurerro Jr. came up next and he walked.
The next batter up was catcher Alejandro Kirk and he was thrown out at first by Mendick. At this point, it appeared as if Cease might have been starting to struggle a little but he locked it down and got out of it.
The top of the fifth started off with a strikeout. The second batter of the inning hit the ball towards Tim Anderson and was thrown out at first. The third batter struck out for the ninth strike out of the game. At that point in the game, Cease was throwing a no-hitter.
Cease gave up his first hit after the ball was hit to Anderson but he couldn’t get the ball to Abreu as the throw was off target.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. earned that first hit for Toronto to break up Cease’s no-hitter. The second batter flew out to Adam Engel. The next batter stuck out. The fourth batter of the inning for the Blue Jays was struck out as well to end the half-inning.
Cease was relieved in the seventh inning by Jimmy Lambert. Overall Cease was electric, earning himself 11 strikeouts, two walks, and one hit. He was very effective and his performance is one of the biggest reasons that the White Sox won this game.