The Chicago White Sox earned a key 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night and a good bit of credit for the win can go to Leury Garcia.
Yes, the much-maligned and much-picked on Chicago White Sox multi-use player helped the White Sox earn the victory. The win helped keep the Sox moving forward and kept him out of the cross hairs of fans at least for a little while.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa sang Leury’s praises on Friday night.
"“He’s a big-time player and he got a big-time hit, and that was a big-time arm out there. He’s special. I mean that was huge for us.”"
Garcia’s big play came in the 9th inning. He managed to hit a single in the top of the 9th that allowed Adam Haseley to cross the plate and score the game’s only run. The Sox held the Giants off in the bottom of the 9th and ended up winning the game.
“He’s a big-time player and he got a big-time hit, and that was a big-time arm out there,” Tony La Russa said of Leury Garcia. “He’s special. I mean, that was huge for us.”
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 2, 2022
Garcia is kind of a jack-of-all-trades for the White Sox but as the saying continues, he’s a master of none. He has played the infield and the outfield and hasn’t excelled at either. In fact, his most recent trip to work the outfield was somewhat of a disaster.
Leury Garcia had his one nice moment for the White Sox on Friday night.
Fans have been calling for Garcia to get designated for assignment in recent weeks due to his lackluster play on defense and at the plate.
Yes, he has had his shining moments but Garcia has been more of a liability than an asset to the Sox. On Friday night his moment was a good one and it really helped the White Sox.
Garcia’s timely hit that gave the White Sox the win gave them a key win at the right time. It helps the Sox keep pace with the Cleveland Guardians for second place in the AL Central as they were just a game back of them on Friday night.
They are still a bit out of first where the Twins hold the lead but with a lot of games coming up between the two, the Sox could overtake the Twins soon and lead the AL Central.
If they are to do that, they are going to need plays like Garcia’s one on Friday night to win some close games. At least we know it’s possible for Garcia to come up big when it’s needed.