Mariners 12, White Sox 5: Vogelbach unleashed

The surging Seattle Mariners have only scored fewer than five runs in a game once this 2019 season (a 2-1 victory against Los Angeles Angels). Their high-powered offense went to work Sunday afternoon again as they put up 12 runs against the White Sox pitching putting their weekend run total to 29 scored over three games.

Sox starter Ivan Nova, just like Lucas Giolito yesterday, couldn’t duplicate his excellent previous start. Seattle scored six runs in the third inning tacking seven earned runs on Nova’s tab. Dee Gordon and Mallex Smith had back-to-back singles putting runners on the corners with no outs. Then on a Mitch Haniger sharp grounder, Yoan Moncada made a nice pick and tag on Gordon for the first out. There appeared to be an opportunity for Nova to escape the jam if he could induce a double play.

Instead, Nova allowed the next five hitters to reach base with three singles and walk. The fifth hitter, Dan Vogelbach, had the bases loaded when he cleared them with a three-run double. Rick Renteria replaced Nova with Ryan Burr, who did get the next two batters out in order. Alas, the damage was done and when the smoke cleared it was Seattle ahead 7-1 in the third inning. Nova’s final line was 2.1 IP 7 H 7 ER 1 BB 2 K. His season ERA balloons to 7.71.

Speaking of inflated ERA, the White Sox bullpen didn’t fare much better. Burr would allow two runs in the fourth inning, and then he was lifted for Caleb Frare who would be charged with two runs, too. With a game this out-of-hand, it was a curious move by Renteria to pitch Jace Fry, Kelvin Herrera, and Alex Colome, but they demonstrated why they are the best only allowing one run over the last 3.2 innings with six strikeouts.

That one run was Vogelbach, who smashed home runs against Frare and Colome to end his monster day going 3-for-6 with six RBI.

While the pitching was mostly terrible this weekend, the White Sox offense continued to show positive growth. After back-to-back three-hit days, Tim Anderson decided to up the ante by going 4-for-5 and almost hit another home run, but Mallex Smith was able to keep it in the park by reaching over the fence and flipping it back into play.

After six games, Anderson is hitting 14-for-25 with two doubles, two home runs, and only two strikeouts.

Adam Engel hit his first home run of the season with a solo shot in the seventh inning. The Sox would tack on a couple of more runs as Jose Abreu doubled to drive in Jose Rondon, and Moncada lined a single to right field plating Abreu.

Game Notes:

• The White Sox won’t play against the Mariners until September 13-15, which is a good thing.
• One extreme to another: After facing Seattle, who is averaging 7.7 runs scored per game, the White Sox now play three games against the Tampa Bay Rays who are only allowing 2.1 runs per game.
• Ryan Cordell had a RBI double, and is 2-for-6 on the season. After the game, Cordell was optioned back to Charlotte as Ervin Santana will be activated to start Tuesday against the Rays.

Record: 3-5 | Box Score | Highlights

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