All you need to know, in quickie form, about the White Sox’ 4-1 win over the Red Sox Sox, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford wasn’t able to keep White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. in the ballpark on Sunday afternoon. Robert connected for two homers off the Sox righty in the White Sox 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon from Guaranteed Rate Field.
Crawford tossed six innings and allowed four runs, five hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out four.
“The first one to Robert kind of stayed too middle,” Crawford said to reporters postgame coverage. “Then the [Andrew] Benintendi double started with a leadoff walk and that can’t happen, so that’s on me.
“With all things considered, I gave up four runs, but I was able to go six which is a big step in my book as far as the build-up. Hopefully just not give up so many runs next time and continue off of it.”
Alex Cora thought Crawford threw the ball well but it was his offense that let down his starter.
“He threw the ball well,” Cora said. “The two homers by Robert. A breaking ball to Benny down the line, but I think he was good.”
The uninspired Sox offense was quiet once again, continuing with their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde theme this season. Boston recorded just five hits and left eight runners on base.
With the loss, the Sox lose the weekend series to the ChiSox and fall to 3-4 on the road trip. They are now 40-39 on the season and are sitting in the basement of the AL East 13 games behind the Rays and three games out of the final Wild Card spot.
TURNING POINT
The White Sox held Boston's offense to five hits, which included Adam Duvall’s two for extra bases (two doubles). Duvall was the only batter in the Red Sox lineup today with a multi-hit performance.
“I felt much better today than I have in the past week,” said Duvall. “Personally, that was a step in the right direction.”
The Red Sox' lineup managed three hits off starter Tanner Banks and chased him from the game after 2 2/3 innings. The ChiSox turned to relief pitcher Jesse Scholtens who shut down the Sox' inept offense. He pitched four scoreless frames after being called upon in the third inning. The righty allowed just two hits and struck out three Sox hitters, making his appearance for Chicago his best of the season.
UP
Robert Jr. on the other hand cashed in to lead all hitters on the afternoon, he went 3-for-4 with two homers which were off Crawford. He collected three RBI in the game. He was 5-for-12 in the series with three home runs and four RBI.
DOWN
The Sox left eight runners stranded on the bases this afternoon. Chicago’s bullpen shut down the offense over the final six innings of the game.
NOTABLE
Triston Casas made a questionable decision defensively in the fifth inning. Andrew Benintendi doubled down the right-field line and Gavin Sheets scored all the way from first.
Casas caught the relay throw from Duvall and seemingly had a play at the plate. Instead, the 23-year-old first baseman decided to not throw home and threw to second base.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox will have an off day on Monday before starting a three-game series with the Marlins from Fenway Park. Garrett Whitlock will start on Tuesday and Brayan Bello will pitch on Thursday, leaving Cora to use an opener on Wednesday.
“We’ll see where we’re at,” Cora said to reporters before Sunday afternoon’s game against the White Sox. “Probably we’ll go opener and see where Piv (Nick Pivetta), Wink (Josh Winckowski) and Murph (Chris Murphy) are. And we’ll go from there.”
The Sox have utilized an opener in each of the last two turns in the rotation. Kaleb Ort and Justin Garza have both been used to start games, and the Sox are 1-1 in opener games since Tanner Houck went down with his facial fracture.
James Paxton is on track to make his next start on Friday in Toronto.
“He said he’s feeling well,” said Cora about Paxton. “Everything is lined up for him to start on Friday. We’ll see how he keeps reacting to the treatment but that’s where we’re at right now.”
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