Rangers 11, White Sox 3: Matt Davidson pitched

And Matt Davidson pitched well.

He emerged from the bullpen in the ninth inning to mop up, and he gave this game a reason to exist. It wasn’t just that he retired the side in order, or even that he struck out a batter. Davidson showed up on the mound with a four-pitch arsenal. He got a swinging strike on all three of his secondary pitches, perhaps because the Rangers were on alert for a fastball that hit 92 mph.

Not to mention he showed catlike reflexes on a soft line drive, which he reached across his body and snared for the second out. It was a complete effort.

The same can’t be said for the Sox. Dylan Covey gave up four homers over two innings, including three in the second. Yoan Moncada booted a routine grounder to set that seven-run second in motion, but I doubt Covey would’ve fared much better without it. He needed a pickoff at second to wiggle out of the first inning unscathed, he gave up a homer to Joey Gallo to start the third. His last batter came just three batters into the third frame, and it his third walk of the game.

In came Chris Volstad, gave up a homer to the first batter he faced to seal Covey’s ugly line: 2.1 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 4 HR.

Meanwhile, Yovani Gallardo held the Sox to a run on two hits through seven innings. Avisail Garcia was able to spoil the shutoutin the fourth inning by tripling and scoring on a groundout, but otherwise the Sox didn’t string together hits until the eighth inning, when the game was already out of reach.

Bullet points:

*Charlie Tilson dropped a ball for the second straight game, and this one might be the funniest error of the season.

*The White Sox are on pace for a 56-106 season at the halfway point.

Record: 28-53 | Box score

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Anohito

Perfect recap title. As expected.

Lurker Laura

Again, WTF??? I was out with my curling friends, and I missed Matt Davidson pitching? Pitching well?? Getting a strike out??? Why can’t this happen on a weeknight when I have nothing else to do?

NDSox12

If it makes you feel any better, the rest of the game was most definitely not worth watching.

jorta

Look out, Shohei Ohtani.

Holland23

Who needs Othani when you have Davidson. Can I change my answer for best pitcher on the survey? One correction catlike reflexes should be Alberslike reflexes.

L2R

So when does it become appropriate to start voting on this player by player:

A. Great but undeveloped talent is exposing poor coaching or
B. Talent isn’t as good as thought exposing poor scouting or

NateDPT12

I’m getting a little tired of seeing an error and a couple of strikeouts in Moncada’s box score every game. Get it the hell together.

Gutteridge70

Kind of expected this. was at the extra inning exercise in frustration on Thursday. Between the extra innings, delayed flight Texas heat and hard hitting Rangers. Well still did not think it would be this bad.

Greg Nix

I legitimately think Davidson should go full Brooks Kieschnick. 92 MPH! Snappy curveball! Solid change! There’s potential there. 

Marty34

Levine writes on next tv deal:

Says channel 9 is out of broadcasting sports after 2019. Also this:

“The partnership between Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Bulls and White Sox, is rock solid. The two also share ownership of the United Center and will be partners in a television deal as well.”

It will be interesting to see what form the Cubs network takes without the Sox, Bulls, or Hawks as part.

https://670thescore.radio.com/blogs/bruce-levine/chicago-set-changes-sports-television-climate

lil jimmy

And in 10 years or less they they will announce a new White Sox ball park by the United Center. Due West and at least one block south.

Marty34

You think Rocky is the odds on favorite as the next owner?

lil jimmy

I believe so. Every thing is there. Parking, public transit, all three highways dump in, bars and dining.

ndsoxfan

Well all the Covey love was cute while it lasted