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Chicago White Sox designated hitter Randal Grichuk doubled and scored on a single by shortstop Colson Montgomery in the second inning of Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas led off the sixth inning with a home run.
Those were the only three hits in the game for the Sox. And it was just enough to defeat the Guardians 2-1 in front of 28,883 at Rate Field.
The Sox received excellent pitching from Sean Burke and Sean Newcomb — and the timely hitting — to take sole possession of first place in the American League Central standings.
Burke allowed one run on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk in 6 1/3 innings. Newcomb pitched the rest of the game, striking out two and walking one in 2 2/3 hitless innings.
“(Burke put) us in a good spot there to cover a lot of innings, and a lot of quality innings there,” manager Will Venable said. “Talking about (Cleveland’s) offense that they have, the importance to limit walks and he did a nice job with that.
“And then Newcomb behind him was special.”
Cleveland’s lone run came on a home run by Kahlil Watson leading off the fifth inning. Burke said the key to the outing was “blowing up the zone middle early.”
“Just trying to do everything I can to keep the pitch count down,” said Burke, who threw 90 pitches. “That goes back to blowing up the zone, middle-middle, 0-0 (count) and going from there. That’s going to limit your pitches.
“The fifth inning maybe got a little long on me, but other than that I felt it was pretty good.”
Burke exited after surrendering a one-out double to Austin Hedges in the seventh. Newcomb retired the next two batters on grounders. He remained sharp over the final two innings to collect his second save of the season.
“Just kind of the nature of my role, wanting to throw a lot of innings, give big chunks whenever I can,” Newcomb said. “Not being one of the five starters, that’s the best way to do it. Felt good.”
Starter Parker Messick pitched 7 2/3 strong innings for the Guardians, allowing two runs on three hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk.
The Sox didn’t have a hit until one out in the fourth when Grichuk doubled. Messick struck out Chase Meidroth, but Montgomery came through with a two-out single to right field.
Watson’s home run in the fifth tied the score at 1-all. Vargas gave the Sox the lead with his 17th home run of the season to lead off the sixth.
Photos: Chicago White Sox 2, Cleveland Guardians 1
“I’m just trying to compete at this point, trying to get on base,” Vargas said. “Let the guys behind me do the job. I got a really good pitch and put a good swing on it.”
Venable said of making the most of the three hits: “It was awesome there, starting with Colson being able to drive that ball through the four-hole there. And then (Vargas), second really good swing (of the night) after the first one I thought had a chance to get out (flying out to center in the first inning).
“It was just enough tonight. And for our pitching staff to put us in a position to make those runs count, means a lot.”
The Sox secured their ninth consecutive home series win with Tuesday’s victory.
The Sox began this series one game behind the Guardians in the division standings. Now the Sox (41-37) are one game ahead of Cleveland (41-39).
“It means a lot,” Vargas said of being in first place. “We know how important this series is for us, especially after a tough road trip (going 1-5 against the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers). Come back home, and I’ve been saying this a lot but the atmosphere here at home is way different. A lot of people showing up every single day. We can feel the energy out there is very high every day.”
The Sox are also keeping the current standings in perspective.
“We know where we are at,” Burke said, “(we know) what we are capable of, but still a long season, so we’ve got to keep going like this.”
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Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas led off the sixth inning with a home run.
Those were the only three hits in the game for the Sox. And it was just enough to defeat the Guardians 2-1 in front of 28,883 at Rate Field.
The Sox received excellent pitching from Sean Burke and Sean Newcomb — and the timely hitting — to take sole possession of first place in the American League Central standings.
Burke allowed one run on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk in 6 1/3 innings. Newcomb pitched the rest of the game, striking out two and walking one in 2 2/3 hitless innings.
“(Burke put) us in a good spot there to cover a lot of innings, and a lot of quality innings there,” manager Will Venable said. “Talking about (Cleveland’s) offense that they have, the importance to limit walks and he did a nice job with that.
“And then Newcomb behind him was special.”
Cleveland’s lone run came on a home run by Kahlil Watson leading off the fifth inning. Burke said the key to the outing was “blowing up the zone middle early.”
“Just trying to do everything I can to keep the pitch count down,” said Burke, who threw 90 pitches. “That goes back to blowing up the zone, middle-middle, 0-0 (count) and going from there. That’s going to limit your pitches.
“The fifth inning maybe got a little long on me, but other than that I felt it was pretty good.”
Burke exited after surrendering a one-out double to Austin Hedges in the seventh. Newcomb retired the next two batters on grounders. He remained sharp over the final two innings to collect his second save of the season.
“Just kind of the nature of my role, wanting to throw a lot of innings, give big chunks whenever I can,” Newcomb said. “Not being one of the five starters, that’s the best way to do it. Felt good.”
Starter Parker Messick pitched 7 2/3 strong innings for the Guardians, allowing two runs on three hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk.
The Sox didn’t have a hit until one out in the fourth when Grichuk doubled. Messick struck out Chase Meidroth, but Montgomery came through with a two-out single to right field.
Watson’s home run in the fifth tied the score at 1-all. Vargas gave the Sox the lead with his 17th home run of the season to lead off the sixth.
Photos: Chicago White Sox 2, Cleveland Guardians 1
“I’m just trying to compete at this point, trying to get on base,” Vargas said. “Let the guys behind me do the job. I got a really good pitch and put a good swing on it.”
Venable said of making the most of the three hits: “It was awesome there, starting with Colson being able to drive that ball through the four-hole there. And then (Vargas), second really good swing (of the night) after the first one I thought had a chance to get out (flying out to center in the first inning).
“It was just enough tonight. And for our pitching staff to put us in a position to make those runs count, means a lot.”
The Sox secured their ninth consecutive home series win with Tuesday’s victory.
The Sox began this series one game behind the Guardians in the division standings. Now the Sox (41-37) are one game ahead of Cleveland (41-39).
“It means a lot,” Vargas said of being in first place. “We know how important this series is for us, especially after a tough road trip (going 1-5 against the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers). Come back home, and I’ve been saying this a lot but the atmosphere here at home is way different. A lot of people showing up every single day. We can feel the energy out there is very high every day.”
The Sox are also keeping the current standings in perspective.
“We know where we are at,” Burke said, “(we know) what we are capable of, but still a long season, so we’ve got to keep going like this.”
Continue reading...
