John Means handled the Chicago White Sox last week by allowing just one run over five innings. Baffling Sox hitters with his changeup on his way to six strikeouts. Tonight, was a different story as Yonder Alonso and Tim Anderson both hit two-run homers to power the White Sox to a 5-3 win.
Alonso started the scoring in the second inning. James McCann singled but was erased on Yoan Moncada's fielders choice as the Orioles couldn't turn two. A couple of pitches later, Alonso struck a line drive with a 107.8 mph exit velocity that landed in the Orioles bullpen. It's Alonso's fifth home run of the season, and the Sox were ahead 2-0.
Opposite of Means starting for the White Sox was Manny Banuelos, who was quite good in his first start against these Orioles. He allowed a leadoff home run in the third inning to Pedro Severino cutting the lead to 2-1. Banuelos would get more offensive support in the bottom half as Adam Engel got things going with a drag bunt and pulling off a move seen in the Matrix dodging a tag by the first baseman, Chris Davis.
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Banuelos was able to get himself out of tight spots. In the fourth inning, Baltimore had runners on the corners with two outs, but Banuelos was ready to strike out Davis to end the threat. Then the Sox defense let down Banuelos and put him in even more of a bind.
Severino started the fifth inning with a walk. Rio Ruiz hit a grounder to the left side of the infield trying to beat the shift. Instead of Anderson being where the shortstop typically is positioned, it was Moncada. A poor throw to second was the first error in this sequence, and then Jose Rondon made things worse with an even more terrible throw to first base. That allowed both Severino and Ruiz to advance into scoring position with no outs.
Banuelos struck out Richie Martin for the first out, and almost got a double play as Jonathan Villar hit a line drive but right at Moncada. After securing the catch for out two, Moncada dove back to third base hoping for a double play. He was late, and the inning continued.
Joey Rickard walked to load the bases with two outs, and it felt like a pivotal moment of the game with the Orioles threatening a big inning. Instead, a soft fly out to right field by Renato Nunez ended the threat with no runs scored.
Banuelos final line was 5.2 IP 5 H 2 ER 3 BB 6 K on 93 pitches. A good outing for the assumed fifth starting pitcher in the rotation with Ervin Santana officially gone from the White Sox plans.
Ryan Cordell picked up an RBI later in the game with a bases-loaded walk, and Alex Colome picked a clean ninth inning for his sixth save of 2019 as the Sox won 5-3.
Game Notes
- Aaron Bummer made an appearance after being called up pitching one scoreless inning with one strikeout and walk.
- James McCann likes facing Baltimore pitching as he has three straight three-hit games and is now 9-for-15 against the Orioles.
- Jose Abreu went 2-for-5 to continue his recent surge.
Record: 12-14 | Box Score | Highlights
