Chicago pen squanders lead and hands the squad yet another L
The Chicago White Sox fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 in a Spring Training matchup that saw a late-inning surge from the home team. The story was the same early on: a frustrating lack of offensive production for the South Siders, coupled with solid pitching.
The Good Guys lineup, featuring the return of Andrew Benintendi and Austin Slater, started sluggishly, going down in order in the top of the first. The pattern continued into the second and third innings, with the Sox failing to generate any offensive momentum whatsoever.
Lenyn Sosa provided a glimmer of hope in the top of the third with a leadoff double, but he was left stranded. The top of the fourth saw the Sox retired in order yet again, maintaining their hitless streak.
Finally, the South Siders broke through in the top of the fifth inning. Miguel Vargas singled, followed by a walk to Matt Thaiss. Sosa delivered an RBI single, putting the Sox up 1-0. A wild pitch and a Michael A. Taylor double to center brought Thaiss and Sosa home, extending the lead to 3-0. Chase Meidroth added another run with a single, making it 4-0. I had forgotten how entertaining the game could be when runs actually scored. But, unfortunately, that would be it for the Pale Hose, and the offensive explosion ended as quickly as it began.
The White Sox had one last chance in the ninth. Cal Mitchell knocked a triple with two out, placing the tying run 90 feet away. Oscar Colás followed with a walk, putting the potential winning run on first. But Adam Hackenberg grounded out to end the threat, and the Sox fell 5-4.
The good news is that starting pitcher and Rule 5 Draft acquisition Shane Smith was impressive. He tossed four scoreless innings, surrendering only three hits, walking one, and striking out two. Gus Varland and Jordan Leasure each gave up one tally, letting Milwaukee slowly chip away at the lead. Then, Brandon Eisert surrendered three runs in the eighth to put the nails in the coffin.
Chicago plays the Los Angeles Angels tomorrow at 3:10 p.m. at Camelback Ranch. Martín Pérez is your scheduled starter. Check back here tomorrow for your preview and recap.