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Amidst a miserable start to the season, Nick Nastrini entered Monday as a breath of fresh air for Sox fans. Facing that pressure, he did his job, tossing five innings of two-run ball and escaping a bases-loaded jam to end the outing. But Chicago’s offense continued its historic struggles as the team fell 2-0 to Kansas City nonetheless.
W: Seth Lugo (3-0) | L: Nick Nastrini (0-1) | S: James McArthur (3)
Statcast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap (soon to be named Lack-of-offense Recap):
Pitching Recap:
Notable Performances
Nick Nastrini (SP): 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K
The South Siders’ eighth overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Nastrini started his career blazing hot from the mound. He retired the first eleven batters he faced before surrendering a home run to Vinnie Pasquantino and one inning later, an RBI single to Kyle Isbel.
Nastrini was a few feet away from allowing a grand slam with two outs in the fifth, but center fielder Dominic Fletcher hauled the fly ball in to preserve a decent outing. Moving forward, the right-hander will look to improve against lineups the second time through the order.
Jordan Leasure (RP): 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K
Nastrini’s counterpart in the Lance Lynn trade last season, Leasure has looked phenomenal to start the 2024 campaign.
Michael Kopech (RP): 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K
Dazzling again, the starter-turned reliever continued to lean on a 100-mph-plus heater to dominate opposing hitters.
Michael Kopech, Flames.
pic.twitter.com/7e3FqhEpAF
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 16, 2024
Andrew Benintendi (LF): 4 AB, 2 H, 2 1B
Would this normally be notable? Absolutely not. But for Benintendi, the franchise’s most expensive signing who boasted an OPS under .350 entering the game, two hits is a monumental improvement.
Next Matchup
The South Siders face off against the Royals once more tomorrow night at 6:40 pm. Intriguingly, Chicago will debut another starting pitcher, this time Jonathan Cannon. The 23-year-old, a 2021 third-round pick from Georgia, will square off against Brady Singer.
Tune in on NBC Sports Chicago.
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Featured Image: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
The post Royals 2, White Sox 0: Nastrini solid in debut, offense falters again appeared first on Sox On 35th.