Before today’s game, the league had 54 players already hit more than 30 home runs in 2019 which doubled the amount from 2018. Eloy Jimenez was on the cusp to join the 30 dingers company just needing one more and facing Detroit Tigers starter, Matthew Boyd. Despite posting a 3.6 bWAR season, Boyd allowed 38 homers, second-most in the majors.
With two outs in the first inning, Jimenez took Boyd deep for a two-run shot becoming the 55th player this season to hit at least 30 home runs.
Eloy Jimenez hits a 2 run homer for number 30 of the season pic.twitter.com/o2TjtsaDQ8
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Despite the White Sox jumping out to a quick lead, Detroit responded with two home runs off Reynaldo Lopez. Jeimer Candelario hit a two-run shot in the first inning, and old friend Gordon Beckham tagged Lopez for a solo shot in the second inning to give Detroit a 3-2 lead.
In Jimenez’s second at-bat against Boyd, he lined a double splitting the gap in center and right field, his 17th of the season. However, he would be stranded there as Yoan Moncada struck out, and Welington Castillo grounded out to shortstop.
While the Sox failed to convert, the Tigers continued to make good contact against Lopez. With runners on first and second with two outs in the third inning, Christian Stewart’s grounder scooted by Danny Mendick for an RBI single. That was followed by Dawel Lugo’s line drive that Anderson made an attempt to catch but failed to come up with the play. With the bases loaded, Lopez did bounce back from falling behind 2-0 in the count to Grayson Greiner to strike him out, but after three innings it was Detroit ahead 4-2.
Between innings, Rick Renteria on television was shown in a lengthy conversation with his young starter. Whatever was said to help calm down Lopez, didn’t work, as he gave up his third home run of the afternoon to Victor Reyes. Lopez’s day was done after four innings as he allowed five runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
Down 5-2, the White Sox finally converted with a runner on second base. After three straight innings with a runner in scoring position but failing to score, Welington Castillo drove in Moncada with an RBI single.
That was the last offensive hurrah for Chicago as the Tigers bullpen did an excellent job pitching four scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Willi Castro hit his first career home run in the seventh inning as Detroit’s four homers powered them to a 6-3 win.
Game Notes:
- Tim Anderson went 1-for-5 and his season batting average is .334.
- Yoan Moncada went 2-for-4 hitting his 33rd double of the season, and his season batting average is .316 with a .920 OPS.
Record: 68-87 | Box Score | Highlights
