After the first inning, this game felt a lot like last night. The Chicago White Sox jump out to a 3-0 lead only to see the Detroit score three runs themselves in the bottom of the first. However, Lucas Giolito would again find a way to settle down after a first inning, and his escape act in the sixth with the bases loaded was the difference.
Back to the first inning, it was a bit refreshing to watch the White Sox jump out to an early lead against a left-handed pitcher. Tim Anderson lead the rally with his 19th double of 2018. After Avisail Garcia grounded out, Jose Abreu was pitched around and walked on four straight pitches to set up the double play. Unfortunately for Detroit, Blaine Hardy couldn't produce that ground ball. Matt Davidson singled to center to load the bases, and Daniel Palka drove in the first run with a hard hit grounder that just snuck through the hole between first and second.
Up 1-0, Kevan Smith hit a deep enough fly ball to center field to plate Abreu, but all runners tagged up, and the Tigers got Palka caught in a pickle. Perhaps one of the worst rundowns seen in 2018, and covering the White Sox we've seen plenty in 2018, the Tigers just couldn't tag Palka out right away. Instead, Palka was able to keep himself alive long enough for Matt Davidson of all people to score all the way from second base on a sacrifice fly. After the top half, Sox were leading 3-0.
In the fifth inning, the White Sox would score two more runs with Abreu's 34th double of 2018. The Tigers tried shifts against Avi and Abreu, and neither worked. Avi was able to single through the right side as the second baseman was playing directly behind the bag which put runners on the corner as Tim Anderson singled to start the inning. Both would score as Abreu smashed a hard grounder through the right side as the Tigers played him to pull. The ball just kept rolling to the wall, and Avi sprinted all the way home. A good sign that his hamstring must be feeling good to run that fast.
Up 6-3, the crucial moment came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Giolito allowed singles to Goodrum and Martinez and walked Adduci to load the bases with no outs. After a mound visit to strategize on getting out of this inning without allowing a crooked number, Giolito made quick work of James McCann forcing a short fly to right field for out one. Then Giolito struck out Mike Gerber for the second out, and Victor Reyes popped out to Matt Davidson at third base to escape the jam. Golden opportunity for Detroit to tie the game, and unlike the first inning, Giolito came away unscathed. Giolito's final line was 6 IP 8 H 3 ER 1 BB 7 K, and his season ERA is 6.15.
Jace Fry was excellent in two innings of relief striking out four without allowing a hit or walk. Xavier Cedeno picked up his first save of 2018 freezing Castellanos on a breaking pitch. After allowing five hits to Castellanos last night, that strikeout, and a win against Detroit feels good.
Game Notes
- Jose Abreu is now at 70 RBI for 2018 and needs 30 more in the next 43 games to extend his 100 RBI season streak to five straight.
- Tim Anderson was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Record: 43-76 | Box Score
