The Chicago White Sox managed to split their two-game series versus the Colorado Rockies as they took a 6-5 loss this Wednesday afternoon.
The White Sox played tentatively and struggled all the way around. It was a close game, however, as the White Sox almost won it but couldn’t close the game out in their favor by blowing their 9th-inning lead.
Lucas Giolito took the mound for the Sox in this game and his day didn’t start out that well. In the first inning, the Rockies scored three on Giolito to make it 3-0 early. Things weren’t looking promising for the White Sox at that point.
Chicago would draw closer in the fourth inning as catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a single which scored Yoan Moncada and AJ Pollock. The score was 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning.
A little bit of a base-running gaffe took the White Sox out of contention for more runs when they could have tied things up. Leury Garcia was picked off at third base and that lowered Chicago’s hopes of getting to even with the Rockies at that point in the game.
The Chicago White Sox had pretty much everything go wrong for them.
Giolito left the game at the end of the fifth inning after having a so-so game. He struck out four, allowed six hits, and had three earned runs with four walks. It was not the best game of Giolito’s career by any means but also wasn’t bad.
The White Sox would tie the game in the top of the seventh as shortstop Tim Anderson cranked a hit right up the middle of the Colorado defense which allowed Garcia to score.
Later in the 7th inning, outfielder A.J. Pollock cranked a big hit out to right field allowing catcher Seby Savala and Anderson to score to put the Sox up 5-3.
Jose Ruiz took over for Matt Foster. The Rockies would make it 5 -4 in the bottom of the seventh inning after Jose Iglesias hit a single to score a run.
Joe Kelly came in and struggled but what is most concerning is the apparent injury he suffered during the 8th inning.
It’s been said that he has right biceps discomfort and more will be known as the next few days unfold. Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious as the White Sox cannot afford any additional injuries to their bullpen.
The game came down to the bottom of the 9th when Kendall Graveman took over at the mound and walked three straight batters to load the bases. The fourth batter up came in and whacked a ball to right field which allowed two runners to score and walk off the game.
This was a poorly played game by the White Sox on the mound, on the field, and on the basepaths. The White Sox could have really used this win to keep up in their chase for the lead in the AL Central but still sit three games behind the Twins.
This game was a microcosm of the way that the Sox have played this season. They did enough to take the lead but didn’t do enough to win. It was a poorly played and managed effort all around.