Looking at the final score would suggest an easy Friday night for the Chicago White Sox. The kind of stress-free outcome often lacking in 2023 without fears of the opposition staging a late comeback. For six innings, it was anything but easy for the White Sox.
Sure, it looked like starting pitcher Mike Clevinger was on cruise control. After laying an egg in his previous start against the same Detroit Tigers when Clevinger allowed eight runs on 12 hits, it was the complete opposite at Comerica Park. On 90 pitches, Clevinger tossed seven scoreless innings against the Tigers, only allowing three hits and striking out seven batters. Clevinger's velocity continued to pick up as his average four-seamer was at 95.2 MPH (0.9 MPH better than the season average) and a max velocity of 97.3 MPH.
Clevinger had his "A" game going, but so did Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson. Against the White Sox in his previous outing, Olson only struck out one batter but pitched seven scoreless innings. Tonight, Olson had a no-hitter through six innings.
Then Luis Robert Jr. snapped that hitless drought, smacking a hanging breaking pitch down the third base line for his 35th double of the season. While that base knock cancelled the postgame show, it was Yoan Moncada who delivered the game's biggest hit. After fighting off multiple high fastballs, Moncada was able to square one up for an opposite-field home run to left field. With a two-run shot, Moncada has hit a home run in three consecutive games.
Up 2-0, the White Sox feasted off Tigers relievers Tyler Holten and Brendan White in the eighth inning. Another crooked number was posted with four runs coming across home plate, and it was a touchdown lead for the White Sox. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Andrew Benintendi doubled to center field, driving in two runs.
Then Eloy Jimenez punched a bouncing grounder through the drawn infield for an RBI single. Finally, Moncada added another RBI to his night total, adding an RBI single.
After the game, Moncada referenced being healthy for sparking his latest hot streak. Over the last 105 at-bats spanning 30 games, Moncada is hitting .314/.357/.533 but an even better .429/.472/.735 in the past two weeks. This stretch has raised Moncada's season OPS to .726.
Game Notes:
- Now with 35 doubles and home runs, Robert Jr. is the first White Sox hitter to accomplish that feat since Jose Abreu did in 2014.
- Oscar Colas benefited from replay when his double in the eighth inning was initially called foul. Manager Pedro Grifol called for the challenge and the play was overturned.
- After being hitless for six innings, the White Sox finished with eight base hits.
