In desperate need of a win, the Chicago White Sox looked to Lance Lynn to play the stopper role. To be successful, Lynn had to reverse his fortune, facing a lineup for the first time. It’s just four starts, but opposing hitters had a 1.257 OPS against Lynn in their first plate appearance against him. While Lynn had to conquer that quest, White Sox hitters had to figure out scoring against an old friend, Chris Bassitt.
Like we have seen too often to start 2023, the White Sox offense could only muster runs in one inning and a big home run from Toronto was the difference. The losing streak pushes to five games as the Blue Jays win, 5-2.
After two scoreless innings, the White Sox struck first in the third inning thanks to Luis Robert Jr. With two outs and Bassitt finding a rhythm, Robert stayed patient to draw his third walk of the season. Next was Andrew Benintendi, and he punched a single to right field for the game’s first hit. That set the stage for Andrew Vaughn, who, after watching two 69-mph curveballs, struck a middle-middle 92-mph sinker to the left-center field gap. Robert and Benintendi scored to give the White Sox an early 2-0 lead as it rolled to the wall. Vaughn made it to second for his ninth double of 2023 but was stranded when Eloy Jimenez flew out to left field.
In the bottom half, Toronto threatened to score against Lynn. After striking out Cavan Biggio, Lynn walked Kevin Keirmaier. Bo Bichette would follow and hit a high bouncer to Vaughn at first base. Because of the chopper’s height, it bought enough time for Bichette to slide head first, beating Vaughn to the bag. That infield single was Lynn’s first hit allowed, and with runners on first and second, it was Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s turn.
On a 2-1 count, Lynn threw a 93-mph sinker plenty below the strike zone. Lucky for him, Guerrero Jr. chased, and it resulted in a broken bat slow dribbler up the middle. Elvis Andrus had time to field the slow roller, step on second base, and complete the 6-3 double play ending Toronto’s threat. Through the first three frames, Lynn held Toronto scoreless.
That scoreless streak didn’t last long.
To start Toronto’s half of the fourth inning, Robert made another sensational defensive play adding to his Gold Glove highlight reel. Matt Chapman, Toronto’s best hitter to start 2023, drove Lynn’s four-seamer fastball to deep center field. Robert stayed with the fly ball, and while he mistimed his jump, just had enough of an arm length to rob Chapman of a home run.
With two outs, Lynn began to unfold. He walked Alejandro Kirk and allowed a sharp single to Brandon Belt. Old White Sox nemesis Whit Merrifield followed with a double down the left-field line. Kirk scored, and the Blue Jays made it a 2-1 game.
Next was Biggio, and on a 1-2 curveball, crushed it over the right field wall for his second home run of the season. His three-run shot suddenly gave the Blue Jays a 4-2 lead.
That big blow from Biggio sunk Lynn’s final line when it was looking to be one of his best outings. In the end, Lynn threw 101 pitches and only lasted five innings. His final line: 5 IP 4 ER 3 BB 4 K. His season ERA drops slightly to 7.52.
Benintendi picked up his second hit of the night in the fifth inning with a single. Unfortunately, that would be the last base knock from this lackluster offense.
Game Notes:
- White Sox relievers Gregory Santos, Keynan Middleton, and Jake Diekman combined to walk five batters and three hits allowed. In total, Toronto walked eight times to six strikeouts.
- Andrew Benintendi went 2-for-3 with a walk.
- Andrew Vaughn has 16 RBI on the season
