Cleveland 5, White Sox 3: Third inning can’t be overcome

Dallas Keuchel had one bad inning. Unfortunately, that all it takes to lose a game to Shane Bieber.

Keuchel’s early command issues loaded the bases for the heart of the Cleveland order in the fourth inning, and sure enough four runs came around to score. The White Sox offense forced Bieber to sweat — especially relative to his scoreless nine innings the last time they saw him — but they couldn’t quite close the gap.

The Sox actually outhit the Clevelanders 8-5, and Bieber had to work around seven hits and a walk over his six innings, but 11 strikeouts helped mitigate the damage. Keuchel doesn’t miss bats in the same way, so when he issues walks in clumps like he did today, it’s harder for him to wriggle out of jams.

Case in point: the third inning. Keuchel took a 1-0 lead into the frame against the bottom of the Cleveland Nine, but they loaded the bases on a single and consecutive walks, which unwisely loaded the bases for José Ramírez. Ramírez scorched a 107-mph grounder between shortstop and second base to score two runs, and Ramírez took second on Luis Robert’s ill-advised throw to third. That 90 feet hurt, because Ramírez moved up to third on Franmil Reyes’ weak-but-effective RBI bouncer to third, then scored on Eddie Rosario’s solid knock to center.

Bieber usually makes four runs of support hold up, although the White Sox jeopardized it. He struck out the side on 13 pitches to open the game, but the Sox tagged him for a run in the second because Amed Rosario took a goofy route on Robert’s slicing liner to right center, allowing Yermín Mercedes to score all the way from first.

The Sox had a similar rally in store after Cleveland’s four-spot. Nick Madrigal led off by dropping a double down the right-field line, deflecting off the glove of a diving Jordan Luplow. He then scored on Tim Anderson’s single the way same way. Anderson stole second, then came around on Yoán Moncada’s single through the shift between the second baseman and second base, making it a 4-3 game.

The Sox had chances elsewhere, but couldn’t cross the plate again. They had two on with one out in the fifth, but José Abreu grounded into a fielder’s choice and Mercedes flied out on first pitches. Leadoff singles by Yasmani Grandal in the sixth and Robert in the ninth went nowhere.

It didn’t help that Ramírez struck again in the eighth, lofting an Evan Marshall changeup just over the wall in right for an insurance solo shot. That made it a two-run game, and for some reason, Tony La Russa balks at the idea of tying the game with one swing. After Robert led off the ninth with a single against 101-throwing Emmanuel Clase, he pinch-hit Andrew Vaughn with … Leury García, who grounded out to second. Nick Madrigal hit for himself, who also grounded to second. Anderson ended the game with one more 4-3, but at least he posed the threat of a homer. It might’ve been nice to have at least one more crack at that.

Bullet points:

*Keuchel rebounded nicely from the third, finishing six innings on just 85 pitches.

*Anderson similarly recovered from his golden sombero the day before by going 2-for-5 with a pair of stolen bases, including one that the Sox successfully challenged for. He also had a nice night at shortstop, spearing a line drive for a highlight.

*Vaughn went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a bouncer to third against Bieber, struggling with fastballs and sliders away. It wouldn’t have been a terrible idea to pinch-hit for him against Clase, provided that hitter was Zack Collins, but failing that … García?

*Adam Eaton‘s OPS is down to .720 after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts from the seventh spot. Perhaps Robert should take his spot in the lineup.

Record: 14-11 | Box score | Statcast

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Foulkelore

Alternative headline: “Leury Pinched”

metasox

Didn’t see the game, but I might have thought Lamb in that PH situation. Of all the options, he is the one who has a history of knowing how to swing for the fences, if that is what the situation calls for

As Cirensica

Almost anybody was a better option than Garcia. Even Mendick would have been better. Sure, not for a homer, but to get on base.

Joliet Orange Sox

I believe it is now called the 3rd inning brought to you by Hyundai. I’m old enough to remember when innings didn’t have sponsors but times change.

metasox

I am just thankful the Sox aren’t called The Village of Bedford Park White Sox of Chicago

ParisSox

I was discussing this point last night. The amount of BS had increased exponentially in American marketing culture. The inning sponsorships, Stone and Jason having to sing the nationwide theme. The amount of commercials they have to do during the game. Some ad saying “we’re having a (something sale) party and we’re excited if you join us!” Really, me? Gosh thanks.

In a real kicker, a friend received a rejection email for a job after going through 4 interviews and a role-play panel interview. It was 7 sentences, 5 of them ending in exclamation points (!), and the last one asking the rejected candidate to follow the company on Instagram.

Now get off my lawn!

Last edited 2 years ago by ParisSox

Imagine how much worse the commercialization would be if they had a $100M contract

35Shields

Imagine picking a career 68 wRC+ vs RHP hitter to pinch hit as the tying run.

Dear lord what was that decision?

ParisSox

He’s preparing for the same moment in the World Series and when he pulls the unexpected move against an unsuspecting NL team, and Leury comes through, they’ll reference these times as preparation for that moment.

TLR says you’re welcome.

As Cirensica

He is prepping for his Dan Johnson moment…I see. Makes sense.

shaggy65

taking your best shot–the team deserved it?!?!?

W. T. F.

This decision is hardly the main reason the team lost the game, but it is simply baffling…and not just to us–you can tell that Bennetti was fighting to choke back his incredulity. This is where the old school manager hurts us–“putting the ball in play” is just not what the situation called for. I’m sorry, but it’s the home run’s world and we’re all just living in it.

Trooper Galactus

TLR kinda feels like the biggest reason why the team with the best run differential in the AL coming into this game is not currently leading the AL Central. Also getting concerned about Eaton. Not sure if he’s still feeling the effects of those missteps from earlier in the week, but he’s starting to go to pieces and I’m not sure if he needs a few days off or what. I kinda figured he was gonna wind up on the IL at some point, but I really hope he’s not trying to play through pain.

shaggy65

I think he’s just regressing to his true talent–a competent 8 or 9 hitter in this strong lineup

As Cirensica

I suggested some days ago that TLR should have Madrigal hitting 2nd.

As Cirensica

He probably will get a day off. Perfect excuse to keep playing Leury every day. TLR will approve.

MarketMaker

larussa thinks leury was our “best shot” there. you’d think the GM might want a word after that, given he assembled the roster.

texag10

Pull a Billy Beane and trade Leury

GrinnellSteve

And make Tony angry enough to resign.

WHITESOX_RIGHT_SOX

That one was a tough loss. At least they got to the Biebs a bit this go around. I feel like the most crucial at-bat was Eaton’s punch out in the 5th coming after Anderson’s successfully overturned swipe of 2nd. Was the perfect situation (lefty veteran who makes contact) with runner on second 0 outs to get him over. I was expecting the bunt call since Adam struck out his first two attempts, then give Moncada the chance to tie with runner on 3rd and 1 out. Larussa prolly felt the same in hindsight.

We’ll get em today, excited to see Lynn back on the bump!

ForsterFTOG

I think there were already two strikes on Eaton when Anderson stole second.

HallofFrank

I’m not on any social media so I don’t have the…privilege? of catching various Sox fan’s reactions. I know we had some who were in favor of the La Russa hire on here. I’m genuinely curious if those folks are happy with TLR to this point? Or, if not happy, still optimistic? Are there some Tony defenders out there?

Foulkelore

There are plenty of Tony defenders out there. They have law degrees.

GrinnellSteve

I was appalled by the process, as I assume everyone was. My initial reaction was he was the wrong man for the job. The game has changed, and I doubted if he was ready to change with it. Then of course there was whole DUI farce.

I began to warm up to the idea of someone who could manage the game and someone who would hold the players accountable (even as he wasn’t accountable for his own actions off the field).

Early on I liked how he was willing to adjust lineups to account for how people were swinging it. I liked that he didn’t seem married to giving his 7th inning guy a clean inning and his 8th inning guy a clean inning and his 9th inning guy a clean inning. He seemed to be managing the bullpen more to the situation than Ricky did.

Now I see someone who is befuddled by things like number of outs and how to score runs in this environment, someone who makes idiotic lineup choices like playing Lamb or Leury or Hamilton when he shouldn’t and ignoring them when they could help. I see someone who is messing with Vaughn’s development (and maybe Collins’, too). I see someone I would release before first pitch today.

GrinnellSteve

Case in point: Today’s lineup. Lamb batting 8th, playing left. Leury batting 9th, playing second. No Vaughn. No Madrigal. Slumping Eaton in the 2 hole. It looks like he’s trying to load up on lefties, but still.

roke1960

I wouldn’t have made the hire for the obvious reasons, but I thought we were getting a great game manager who would seldom be outmanaged. The biggest problem I have right now is the awful use of Leury and (to a lesser degree) Lamb, and the jerking around that Vaughn and Madrigal have gotten. It’s just ludicrous that Lamb and Leury are back in the lineup today. Vaughn and Madrigal have both been playing very well lately. His management of the bullpen has been pretty bad also. It seems like there is no pattern of bullpen use.

I would probably have been considered one of the ones happy with the Larussa hire from a baseball perspective. The DUI problems and the way the hiring took place were appalling. But now, I have a very hard time defending him even from a baseball perspective. This is not the game manager I thought we were getting. I hope he gets better, but from his obvious love affair with Leury, I’m not sure that’s going to happen.

GrinnellSteve

It looks like a veteran fetish. And this from a guy who has managed a lot of solid rookies in his career.

HallofFrank

Thanks for sharing, Roke and Steve. Let’s just hope he’s feeling things out and it all improves. If not, it’ll be interested to see how the FO deals with almost universal frustration over a winning team.