White Sox 8, Brewers 3: Old Sox help out current ones

The White Sox didn’t lead this game until a cavalcade of relievers from 35th and Shields’ past showed up.

The Sox had tied the game by erasing a 3-0 lead over the course of the third inning, and Jose Abreu chased Milwaukee starter Chase Anderson with a two-out single in the sixth.

In came Boone Logan to face Daniel Palka. He issued a five-pitch walk.

In came Matt Albers to face Tim Anderson. Albers, who entered the game with a 1.08 ERA, looked like the guy who had a 6.31 ERA with the Sox in 2016. He gave up a sinking liner that turned into a triple after Christian Yelich couldn’t block it, which gave the Sox a 5-3 lead. Omar Narvaez then added to Albers’ ERA with the third two-out hit of the inning.

The Brewers never threatened again, but the Sox tacked on two more runs in the seventh against … Dan Jennings. Everybody’s ERA came away worse for the wear:

  • Logan: 4.91 to 6.14
  • Albers: 1.08 to 1.42
  • Jennings: 2.45 to 3.04

Conversely, the White Sox benefited from spectacular relief work, which they needed after Hector Santiago’s abbreviated outing. The Sox trailed three batters in after Santiago gave up a two-run blast to Ryan Braun. He stranded the bases loaded after issuing three two-out walks in the second, then gave up a sacrifice fly in the third.

After the Sox tied the game with three in the bottom of the third, Rick Renteria didn’t take any chances. He pulled Santiago after a one-out walk — his fifth of the game — put runners on first and second.

In came Chris Volstad, who induced a couple of groundouts to strand the runners. In the process, he started a run of 5⅔ scoreless and hitless innings. He, Luis Avilan, Joakim Soria and Nate Jones held the Brewers to just three walks while striking out five.

Soria was the best of the bunch, as he confused the Brewers’ right-handed hitters by dropping down and throwing effective curves and fastballs from a low arm slot. He struck out two during a perfect 12-pitch seventh.

The White Sox scored eight runs runs with three crooked numbers without a homer. The third inning changed the tenor of the game.

Adam Engel led off with a double into the left-field corner, then scored when Charlie Tilson slapped a grounder through the middle. Tilson swiped second, and when it looked like he’d stay there on Trayce Thompson’s grounder to the left side, he instead scored when third baseman Travis Shaw randomly threw wide of first and into the camera well, which brought Tilson home.

Yoan Moncada then shot a single to center to score Thompson, although he was cut down between first and second when the throw home was cut off. Nevertheless, the Sox tied the game at 3 and changed the pitching staff’s mission.

That was one of two White Sox baserunning outs on the night. Jose Abreu had the other one when he tried coming home from second on Palka “infield single.” The ball was on the outfield grass due to the shift, and the Sox probably hoped that the diving Hernan Perez wouldn’t be able to gather it in a composed fashion. But nope, Perez made a strong throw home and Abreu didn’t even bother sliding.

Bullet points:

*The White Sox went 6-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

*Every White Sox had a hit, and they only struck out three times on the evening.

*Danny Farquhar made a triumphant return to Guaranteed Rate Field and threw out the first pitch of the game to Nate Jones.

*Jones ended the game with a strikeout and kept the ball with the intent of giving it to his friend.

Record: 17-37 | Box score

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zerobs

Santiago’s BB/9 over the last month is worse than Giolito’s.  Hoping Rodon gets that rotation spot the next time it comes up. 

Any sense in picking up Cameron Rupp?  

asinwreck

I’d rather have Jett Bandy, just for the name. How many Sox pitchers have picked up wins after throwing just one pitch?

Trooper Galactus

RIP

asinwreck

Wow, Cotts on there twice. Not bad work if you can get it.

Amar

This was the most satisfying win of the season, and most amusing with cameos from Albers, Logan and Jennings. 

I also shamelessly admit that I am rooting for Abreu to hit 60 doubles for the year. 

mikeyb

I randomly got seats behind homeplate tonight from a friend. Despite there being a ton of Brewers fans here tonight, it was mostly Sox fans behind the plate. But when Albers came in, my wife and I were amazed. We had no idea he played for the Brewers now. I cheered so loudly for him, and the Sox fans were actually a bit annoyed by me (which was fair). He then proceeded to be terrible and allowthe Sox to take the lead. It was incredibly fun.

Basically, I’ve rooted against th Sox once (tonight, for 1 inning) in home games and rooted for them 8 times and I’m 1-8 on the season. So if the Sox ever get good, I’m gonna have to buy some non-Sox AL Central gear and root for Ryan Rayburn or Victor Martinez or something for the Sox to win. Not looking forward to that.

Flitcraft

According to his B-R page, Boone Logan’s nickname is “Booner.”

You’re welcome.

Lurker Laura

Is Charlie Tilson playing well enough to “stick” when Nicky or Avi comes back? (Leaving Trayce the odd man out.) I know that’s a ways away, and anything can happen before then, but most recaps lately have a Tilson mention. I haven’t been able to watch many full games this past week, so I don’t really know how he looks.

lil jimmy

He looks skinny and fast.

Lurker Laura

Well, that’s something.

Right Size Wrong Shape

He hit the wall making a catch in Cleveland and didn’t die.

Trooper Galactus

Given the level of investment in and amount of control over Tilson, I don’t see much point in keeping Trayce on the roster over him. Developing Tilson should be more of a priority.

gibby32

My guess is that once Avi recovers and Eloy gets to the majors, the team has room for one of Engel, Thompson or Tilson. I don’t have much of a preference, and I don’t have a sense of any preference by the team. In terms of development, I think Engel and Thompson are lost causes, so maybe it goes to Tilson if he can cover center.

Right Size Wrong Shape

Yeah, given the choice of the three I’ll take the unknown in Tilson. If Engel or Thompson go somewhere else and prosper, I can live with that.

CarolinaSoxFan

Agree on Thompson, not so sure about Engel. If he continues to utilize his speed and bunting skills he could still become a valuable contributor.

gibby32

doubt it.

sgp2204

Tilson is absolutely playing well enough to stick right now. Assuming Engel turns back into his normal self soon, Tilson will probably take over CF duties at some point. If Engel is somehow still hitting when those guys come back, we’ll probably see Tilson head back down to AAA so he can keep getting at bats and not be stuck as a 4th outfielder already. 

metasox

Don’t forget Leury who IIANM should be a fairly short DL stint. I am just guessing but would think that when Leury/Davidson come back, Skole and Thompson would be removed unless there are some other roster management considerations the Sox are making. Should be enough at-bats for Leury, Tilson, Engel and Palka in the OF – they all deserve to get regular at bats. Perhaps the Sox don’t want Palka in the OF regularly, in which case maybe he goes down and Thompson stays. Thompson hasn’t been effective since the injury. Don’t know if that is a factor, but the best thing for him might be to find a minor league team where he can play everyday.

metasox

Also, Delmonico will be out for a while. I expect he will be parked in Charlotte when he comes back.
Sox may also go the route of giving Rondon’s spot to Leury, but I think it would be good to see Leury continue getting more at bats instead

CarolinaSoxFan

I haven’t seen any sort of timetable for Leury’s return. Has that been published someplace?

Gutteridge70

Was thrilled to be at the game last night. Other than the first two innings did not look like the currently worse team in baseball against best team in NL….. Do not underestimate Danny emotionally charged first pitch which I had the privilege to witness. I believe that everyone on the team wanted to be able to give Danny the winning game ball. It was one of those moments pursuant to the team and management generated idea of bringing Danny, his family , his teammates and his medical providers out to the pitching mound that make me proud to be a life- long Sox fan.

lil jimmy

It was very, very nice.