Before the game, manager Pedro Grifol spoke about the importance of team culture.
"I think the foundation is being set. We've got some work to do. But the foundation is in place. And we just gotta continue to really focus on it. I believe that's a really big part of building a sustainable championship organization.
Culture is a big part of it. It's not quantifiable. A lot of people don't believe in it. I've lived it. When you go to two World Series in a row, and you see a clubhouse, and you see an organization, and you see culture in place. I just believe in culture."
In the second inning, with Willson Contreras on first base, Elvis Andrus fielded a ground ball. Instead of throwing to second base in starting a double play, Andrus threw to Andrew Vaughn at first base. Contreras advanced safely to second base.
After that mental lapse, Eloy Jimenez made a more questionable decision in the bottom half. On video, Jimenez was verbally attempting to get the umpire's attention. When he failed, Jimenez walked away from home plate before Cardinals pitcher Steven Katz threw. The result was a pitch well within the strike zone and a very awkward strikeout.
Somehow, the White Sox had a lead. Thanks to Contreras's throwing error, Oscar Colas made things happen by stealing second and advancing to third base. Andrus picked up Colas with an RBI single.
Leading 1-0, Contreras wiped that deficit away with a two-run homer giving St. Louis a 2-1 lead.
White Sox had bases loaded with Carlos Perez batting in the seventh inning. He hit a grounder toward third base. Luckily, Nolan Arenado had the day off, which would have ended the threat. But with Nolan Gorman covering the hot corner, it was good fortune for the White Sox. Gorman fumbled the grounder that allowed all base runners to reach safely, and it was a tied game.
Luis Robert Jr. had a plane to catch, as he's expected to be in Seattle tonight for All-Star festivities. For a moment, it appeared that he delivered the game-winning play. Zach Remillard singled and advanced to second base off Tim Anderson's ground out. Then a passed ball from Contreras allowed Remillard to reach third base. Robert would then golf a fly ball deep enough to left field for a sacrifice fly. St. Louis challenged Remillard's slide at the plate, but he clearly scored.
Leading 3-2 in the ninth inning, it was up to Kendall Graveman to close the game. In short, Graveman allowed a double, a walk, hit two batters, and deflected a bouncer up the middle. Graveman blew the save in 30 pitches.
In the 10th inning, Paul DeJong hit a double off Keynan Middleton to give St. Louis a 4-3 lead. When it was the White Sox's turn, they had runners on the corners with one out. Remillard laid down a bunt in his attempt to plate Gavin Sheets. But it was directed down the first base line, where Paul Goldschmidt played it perfectly and prevented Sheets from scoring. Tim Anderson struck out, ending the game.
Not sure what kind of foundation Pedro Grifol and his staff are building, but his White Sox team is now 16 games below .500 entering the All-Star Break.
Game Notes:
- Oh, yeah. Lucas Giolito pitched and was quite good. His final line was 7.0 IP 2 H 2 ER 3 BB 5 K.
- Elvis Andrus went 2-for-3 with an RBI
- Tim Anderson was 0-for-5, and now his season OPS is .522. He'll probably bat second in Atlanta after the All-Star Break.
Record: 38-54 | Box Score
