It took 143 games, but the Chicago White Sox are officially eliminated from the 2023 MLB Postseason.
Sawyer Gipson-Long made his MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers today and was effective against the White Sox hitters. Manager A.J. Hinch kept Gipson-Long to just 75 pitches, but the rookie went 5.0 IP 4 H 2 ER 0 BB 5 K. There was a stretch that Gipson-Long retired 10 straight hitters until Andrew Benintendi tripled to center field.
Unfortunately, Luis Robert Jr. couldn't cash in on that opportunity. He flew out in foul territory where Benintendi didn't risk tagging up, which was wise as Eloy Jimenez would hit a double to left field, scoring Benintendi. It's the 19th double for Jimenez in 2023.
Lenyn Sosa doubled off Gipson-Long in the sixth inning, and Tim Anderson reached on an infield single to the third baseman. That was enough to chase Gipson-Long, and facing Will Vest, the White Sox had a chance to tie the game. After Benintendi flew out to deep center field, advancing Sosa to third base, Robert unconventionally converted on this scoring opportunity. A slow grounder towards third base was beat out by Robert at first base, resulting in an RBI infield single.
Vest would make things interesting, walking Jimenez to load the bases for Yasmani Grandal with just one out. On a grounder that ramped off the pitcher's mound, the Tigers turned a nifty double play started by shortstop Zach McKinstry. The slow-developing play would have tied the game if anyone other than Grandal or Andrew Vaughn were running. Instead, the Tigers turned two to escape with the lead.
Those two runs were all the White Sox offense could muster.
Meanwhile, Detroit put together eight hits off White Sox starter Jesse Scholtens over five innings. Five of those base knocks came in the third inning. Back-to-back singles from McKinstry and Matt Vierling set the table for Spencer Torkelson, who smacked a double to left field. Both runners scored, and the Tigers were up 2-0.
Then Andy Ibanez reached on an infield single, and Andre Lipicus singled to right field off a very slow chopper. That base hit scored Torkelson to give Detroit a 3-0 lead. On that play, Oscar Colas fielded the roller and made a throw to Tim Anderson, covering second base. But Anderson couldn't handle the low throw from Colas, which resulted in a throwing error, and Lipicus reached second base. Another defensive misplay for Colas to be addressed by Pedro Grifol's staff.
Game Notes:
- White Sox finish 5-8 against Detroit in 2023
- Eloy Jimenez drew the only White Sox walk in addition to his RBI double
- As a team, the White Sox offense is now hitting .240/.294/.390 for the season. Their .684 OPS ranks 28th in MLB.
- White Sox have to finish 8-11 in their last 19 games to avoid 100 losses
