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White Sox Game Recaps

White Sox 11, Twins 1: Eloy Jimenez continues his reign of terror in Luis Robert’s return

White Sox win

After a convincing sweep of their inner-city rival, the Chicago White Sox, before tonight'stonight's game, continued the good vibes with the return of Luis Robert. Missing since May 2nd due to a hip injury, Robert had an excellent start to 2021, hitting .311/.357/.467 and produced 1.0 fWAR in 25 games.

In an odd twist, Robert was making his first start against the Minnesota Twins in 2021. Before Opening Day, there was much excitement to see two stars roaming in center field for both the White Sox and Twins. Thanks to injury, only Robert would appear in this season's rivalry. At the same time, Byron Buxton continues to deal with health setbacks of his own.

Facing Beau Burrows, who was the Twins opener, Tim Anderson got Robert's return party started in style with a leadoff home run. That set the tone as the White Sox would go on to win, 11-1.

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Anderson hit a leadoff home run in back-to-back games was the second time he's accomplished the feat. Last year in Detroit, Anderson hit a leadoff home run in the August 17 and 18 games. While Anderson repeated that accomplishment, the inning seemed like a repeat of yesterday's game against the Chicago Cubs. After a Cesar Hernandez walk, Eloy Jimenez demolished a high slider for a two-run homer.

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Still, in the first inning, Brian Goodwin doubled to allow Robert to bat. On a high fastball, Robert chased after it resulting in a high pop fly over shallow right field. Twins' first baseman, Miguel Sano, was tracking the fly ball, and while it appeared he was in position to make the catch, he instead saw the ball drop out of the glove. Goodwin hustled to score, and Robert slid safely into second base on Sano's error.

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Already up 4-0, Jimenez continued his reign of terror. After Anderson reached on a single and Hernandez was walked for the second time, Jimenez turned on a high fastball pulling into the left-field bleachers. With his fourth home run in two games, Jimenez put the White Sox ahead 7-0.

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Robert would make it an eight-run lead in the fifth inning. Yoan Moncada singled through the shift and was still standing on first base with two outs. Facing lefty Charlie Barnes, Robert didn't waste any time hitting a line drive towards center field. Twins outfielder Jake Cave made a late attempt at a diving catch, but the liner fell to the ground resulting in an RBI double for Robert. His first base hit since May 2nd.

Not to be lost was how well Lucas Giolito pitched. After a rough outing at home against Kansas City last week, Giolito was zeroed in keeping the Twins off the scoreboard. Hitless through four-inning, Luis Arraez picked up the Twins' first base knock that deflected off Giolito's shin for an infield single. White Sox training staff and coaches visited the mound to ensure Giolito was alright and could keep weight on his plant leg.

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The comebacker probably didn't feel great, but Giolito kept dominating. Facing the minimum through seven innings, Giolito got a quick out to start the eighth when Sano stepped up to the plate. Falling behind 3-1, Giolito made a great pitch throwing a slider that hit the outside corner to put the count to full. Unfortunately, the next slider caught too much of the plate, and Sano crushed it for a solo home run.

Despite that blemish, Giolito punched out Ryan Jeffers with his 103rd pitch of the night. In eight innings, Giolito only allowed one run while striking out eight and walking none.

Yoan Moncada hit a 443-foot solo home run in the ninth inning, putting a cherry on top of the evening.

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Game Notes:

    • Every White Sox hitter reached on base. 
    • Brian Goodwin added a sacrifice fly to make it 9-0 in the seventh inning.
    • Tim Anderson picked up another RBI with a single in the eighth inning.
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Record: 67-46 | Box Score | StatCast

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