Most Major League teams in 2023 have looked forward to feasting against the Oakland Athletics. With the historically awful East Bay squad, it should be expected to see White Sox hitters pad their season totals. Of course, we know all about the White Sox falling short of meeting expectations this year.
Sunday afternoon wasn’t a case of underperforming, especially for Yoan Moncada, whose four-hit day helped lead the White Sox offense to a 6-1 victory.
Andrew Vaughn had the early spotlight as he picked up an RBI single in the first inning thanks to Tim Anderson’s lead-off double. Then, in the third inning, things got wacky. With two outs and Andrew Benintendi on first base thanks to a single, Vaughn hit a hard grounder down the third base line on a 3-0 pitch. It wasn’t the best piece of contact nor pitch selection for the count, but Athletics third baseman Jordan Diaz airmailed the throw to first base. First baseman Ryan Noda ran after the throwing error as Benintendi made his way to third.
But Noda slipped, and that physical gaffe allowed Benintendi to score, giving the White Sox a 2-0 lead.
Vaughn would score later thanks to #WILDPITCHOFFENSE as Athletics starting pitcher Nick Blackburn spiked a breaking pitch to walk Gavin Sheets. The slow-footed Vaughn had a good jump, but the A’s version of Carlos Perez made an accurate toss to Blackburn, who was covering home plate. Fortunately for the White Sox, Blackburn didn’t make the play, and Vaughn scored sliding. A fielding error was given to Blackburn, and the White Sox had a 3-0 lead.
After singling in the first and third innings, Moncada hit a screaming liner down the first base line in the sixth inning. It was an easy double, but Esteury Ruiz had a terrible time corralling the ball. Another defensive mishap for Oakland cost an additional base as Moncada advanced to third. Gavin Sheets would single to left field, giving the White Sox a 4-1 lead.
Then, Moncada had Anderson and Benintendi on the bases in the seventh inning with two outs. Batting right-handed, Moncada pulled another liner, this time down the third base line. Anderson and Benintendi would score as Moncada pulled into second for another double. The White Sox had plenty of breathing room up 6-1.
While the offense was having fun, Mike Clevinger continued to help build up his free agency resume for this upcoming offseason. Oakland was hitless through five innings until Ruiz singled to start the sixth inning. One of MLB’s leaders in stolen bases, Ruiz got to work by stealing both second and third base. That put him in position to score on Zack Gelof’s sacrifice fly.
That’s all the damage Clevinger would allow in his best start of 2023. Oakland had a terrible time making contact against Clevinger’s slider. On 16 swings, Athletics hitters whiffed 12 times. Clevinger finally displayed the missing velocity he once had pre-2020 with the four-seam fastball, touching 97 mph.
Demonstrating premium stuff allowed Clevinger to strike out 10 batters for the first time this season and finish with a final line of 7 IP 1 H 1 ER 2 BB 10 K. In Clevinger’s last seven starts, he has a 2.04 ERA.
Game Notes:
- Tim Anderson, Andrew Benintendi, and Andrew Vaughn had two-hit games.
- Eloy Jimenez was the only White Sox starting position player to not record a hit, but did reach on a walk.
- Lane Ramsey pitched a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts.
- With the victory, the White Sox have to win 30 of their last 31 games to finish above .500.
