Blue Jays 10, White Sox 2: Terrible night for Ivan Nova

If you stopped watching the game when Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s fly ball became a home run as Leury Garcia couldn’t complete the catch and fell over the center field wall, nobody could blame you. White Sox starting pitcher Ivan Nova, who had only allowed two runs in his last two starts covering 13 innings, reverted back to his poor form we saw for most of April.

In the first inning, Tim Anderson made one of the best defensive plays by the White Sox in 2019. On a chopper two-hopper by Guerrero Jr. in the hole between short and third, Anderson flashed his vast range to grab the ball and make a jump throw fading away to first base on one hop in time to nail Guerrero Jr.

The high from that great play lasted one minute because Justin Smoak crushed a solo home run to right field, giving Toronto the early 1-0 lead. Then it became a 3-0 lead when Danny Jansen hit a two-run homer in the second inning.

The game got out of hand in the third when Nova allowed four runs on three hits and two walks, and Toronto had a very comfortable 7-0 lead.

The White Sox did score twice in the bottom half when they started with the bases loaded and no outs. Leury Garcia picked up an RBI on a fielders choice, and Yoan Moncada singled to drive in the second run.

After Guerrero Jr.’s home run, Nova’s night was finally done. Just lasting three innings, Nova allowed 8 H 9 R 8 ER 4 BB 1 K 3 HR. His season ERA balloons back up to 7.42.

Offensively, the White Sox only managed five hits on the evening as it appeared everyone had an off night.

Game Notes:

  • Aaron Bummer threw another scoreless inning to extend his streak to 10.1 innings.
  • Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada both went 2-for-4.

Record: 20-23 | Box Score | Highlights

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iowasox1971

Has Nova had a decent outing in our home park this season? It seems that all of his good starts have been on the road.
Really disappointed in Yonder. Another 0-for-4 night. His lack of production is likely a reason for Abreu’s recent slump. It was only a matter of time before Jose’s lack of protection in the lineup was going to take a toll.

dwjm3

Nova and Yonder are another reminder of how bad Hahn is at acquiring competent second tier veteran talent..It is extremely concerning 

As Cirensica

What is even more concerning (not to say stupid) is that Yonder is on pace to easily have more than 600 PAs. His contract would vest at 526 PAs. That’s an 8 million additional year the White Sox definitely don’t need. They guy has been worth -0.4, and if he is gonna suck THAT much, I rather we have Dan Palka. Cheaper and honestly more fun to watch.

Right Size Wrong Shape

Really don’t think you have to worry about Alonso’s PA’s.

Trooper Galactus

Still seeing a lot of people calling for Yolmer’s ouster with Mendick tearing things up in Charlotte, but he’s had a solid last 30 days and has been damn hot the last week or so. Hopefully he can keep up a good tear and get some teams interested before the deadline.

As Cirensica

Not to mention his glove work is one of the best in our team.

roke1960

Yes, I agree. Yolmer has been great lately. Over the course of a season, he will certainly be exposed, which is why he would be great as a utility infielder. But he has been really good both offensively and defensively the last month. All of our positions are being adequately covered right now, except for DH. The bullpen is settling in. Now about that back end of the rotation…

PopeDonnPall

In real time it looked like Leury bounced Jr.’s ball up and over the wall. The replay was more forgiving but, if he did, it would be about the most Leury play possible.

karkovice squad

https://theathletic.com/983731/2019/05/18/don-cooper-preaches-patience-with-lucas-giolito-and-reynaldo-lopez

“This up in the zone thing the last few years, we’re 30 years ahead of this,” Cooper said. “It’s definitely increased in the league with Trackman and this other stuff. They realize ‘Oh this is a pretty good pitch,’ well, we kinda had that, we kind of knew that.”

Don Cooper, hipster pitching coach.

It doesn’t sound like Fegan left out Coop talking about the reasons why high 4-seamers are en vogue again. Umps calling the high strike, hitters trading contact for launch angle and power, and the ball are all important changes since 30 years ago.

Coop having forgotten more about pitching than data analysts will ever discover isn’t complimentary if the quants are the ones who are better at applying what they know. Merely not standing in the way of change isn’t good enough.