A miserable weekend of baseball weather in Boston came in handy for the Chicago White Sox to win their first series since early August. Elvis Andrus's two-RBI double was the big hit, and Gavin Sheets provided the game-winning sacrifice fly as inclement weather ended the game after six innings, with the White Sox winning 3-2.
After tossing a complete game in his last start, Mike Clevinger went all six innings for the White Sox. It was an odd outing as Clevinger didn't walk a batter again, that's now five straight walk-less starts, but he also didn't strike out a hitter. The last time a White Sox pitcher who threw at least six innings but didn't walk or strike out a batter was Reynaldo Lopez on September 22, 2017.
Andrus's big knock came in the fifth inning. With the White Sox down 1-0 thanks to Boston's Wilyer Abreu solo home run in the second inning, Gavin Sheets started the rally with a leadoff walk and stole second base. That swiped bag was the first career steal for Sheets. With two outs, Korey Lee drew a walk, setting the stage for Andrus.
On a 1-0 slider, Andrus barreled up the pitch towards centerfield. Red Sox outfielder Ceddance Rafaela made a valiant diving effort to rob Andrus of a base hit. But he fell just short as the ball rolled under his glove, and two runs scored.
#WhiteSox take the lead! pic.twitter.com/fdIhI84QYf
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 24, 2023
Following inning, Eloy Jimenez doubled for the 22nd time in 2023 and advanced to third base off Andrew Vaughn's single to left field. Facing left-handed reliever Chris Murphy, Sheets lifted a fly ball to left field that was deep enough to score Jimenez. The White Sox were up by two runs, and that sac fly was big because Adam Duvall would crush a solo shot later in the inning.
If Sheets doesn't come through, both the White Sox and Red Sox would be caught waiting a long time to restart the game. After 103 minutes, Pedro Grifol and Alex Cora shook hands on the field as umpires made the game official.
While it's good news that the White Sox won the weekend series, it wouldn't be 2023 without some concern. In the first inning, Luis Robert Jr. walked and stole second base. It was his 20th stolen base of the season, which puts him two home runs shy of completing a 40 home run / 20 stolen base campaign.
During his slide towards second base, Robert had an awkward turn in his lower half. Grifol didn't hesitate to pull Robert and replace him with Trayce Thompson. The White Sox announced that Robert has left knee soreness, and further evaluation will be done on Monday. Fingers crossed, it's not a severe injury, and Robert has a chance to accomplish team history in the final week of 2023.
Game Notes:
- Andrew Benintendi also hit a double which gives him 34 on the season
- Elvis Andrus in his last 30 games: .333/.357/.481 with 3 HR and 19 RBI
Record: 60-96 | Box Score
