Before today’s game, the Chicago White Sox allowed 42 runs during the five-game losing streak. It was a Lucas Giolito start that began this slide, but he only allowed two runs over six innings. For a team in desperate need for a deep start, after Reynaldo Lopez was bounced in the first inning yesterday, Giolito tried to play the stopper role.
Unfortunately, Giolito and the White Sox had a difficult time with Freddie Freeman.
In the first inning, Giolito’s changeup appeared to catch the top of the zone against Ronald Acuna Jr., but home plate umpire Greg Gibson called it ball four. Acuna Jr. would steal second base, and would later trot his way home when Freeman drove Giolito’s changeup into the right-field bleachers for his 37th home run of the season.
Down 2-0, Braves starter Julio Tehran lost his command walking Yolmer Sanchez and Adam Engel in the second inning. That set the stage for Giolito to help himself. On a hanging slider, Giolito split the gap in right field which scored both Sanchez and Engel to tie the game. Giolito’s second career hit and his first two RBIs tied the game 2-2.
After Freeman’s home run, Giolito shut down the Braves offense. At one point, Giolito retired 14 straight hitters including an eight-pitch 1-2-3 fourth inning and striking out the side in the fifth inning on 13 pitches. Entering the sixth inning with only 60 pitches in tow, Giolito faced pressure after Johan Camargo doubled to lead it off.
Giolito would bounce back by striking out Acuna Jr. and getting Ozzie Albies to line out to Engel in center field. Facing Freeman for the third time, Giolito got burned throwing one too many high fastballs. On the ninth pitch of the at-bat, Freeman hit his second home run of the day (38th of the season) to straightaway center field, and the Braves retook the two-run lead.
Adam Engel led off the seventh with a single, and Giolito was pinched hit for Matt Skole. Giolito’s final line was 6 IP 4 H 4 ER 1 BB 7 K bumping his season ERA to 3.30. Facing Luke Jackson, Engel advanced to second base on a wild pitch, but Skole whiffed on a low slider for the first out. After Garcia struck out for the second out, Anderson walked to give Jose Abreu a chance to cut the deficit.
On a 2-2 slider, Abreu hit it hard enough to escape through the left side of the infield to drive Engel home, and the White Sox were down 4-3. It was up to Yoan Moncada to keep the rally going next, and fighting back to a full count, Brian McCann threw out Anderson who was trying to steal third base. It appeared that Anderson was initially safe, but it was too hard of a steal to keep his foot on the base.
That TOOTBLAN hurt the White Sox chances of tying the game, but Freeman delivered again in the eighth inning. Facing Aaron Bummer with runners on first and second with one out, Freeman singled to right field pushing the Braves lead to 5-3. Josh Donaldson was next in line and hit a screamer down the third baseline. However, Moncada made a great stab at turning the 5-4-3 double play ending the inning.
Braves closer Mark Melancon closed out the game by getting Sanchez to groundout to short, Engel to hit a comebacker, and stuck out Ryan Goins. White Sox losing streak extended to six games, one shy for the season’s longest streak of seven from July 12 to July 18.
Game Notes:
- Adam Engel had a good day at the plate going 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks
- Despite the baserunning gaffe, Anderson was 2-for-3 hitting his 26th double of the season.
Record: 60-76 | Box Score | Highlights
