The Chicago White Sox won their fourth straight game Friday night and second game of the four-game series in Minnesota. Seeing the Sox play more like the reigning division champions has been a welcomed and needed sight. They got on the board early for the second straight game and added more runs in the fourth and seventh. Michael Kopech labored through his start and the bullpen shut the door in another dominant performance. The Sox evened their record at 45-45 and reached .500 for the first time since June 21.
Set The Tone
Andrew Vaughn opened up the scoring in the first inning with a two-run single. He plated Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert, who singled and walked, respectively. Michael Kopech labored through most of this game. The Twins were able to take advantage of the young righty’s mistakes to even the score at two. Alex Kiriloff doubled to deep right with two outs to bring home Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. However, Kopech was able to limit the damage despite his control issues. Those were the only two runs he surrendered and the sum of Minnesota’s offense in the contest. Kopech tossed 5.0 innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. He issued four free passes and struck out two. It is worth noting that despite his control problems Kopech’s velocity was up.
The South Siders re-took the lead in the fourth inning on Tim Anderson’s solo home run to deep center. It cleared the wall and the outstretched arm of Nick Gordon.
They went ahead with three insurance runs compliments of a three-run shot off the bat of Adam Engel. Engel entered the game after Luis Robert was removed due to lightheadedness.
Bullpen’s Big Guns
The White Sox bullpen has been on an impressive streak of late. They have surrendered just one run in their last 25.2 innings pitched. The trend continued Friday night for the final four frames. Joe Kelly, Reynaldo Lopez, Kendall Graveman, and Liam Hendricks allowed just two hits and struck out three. It was a lockdown performance that we expected to see a lot of before the season.
Final Thoughts
The White Sox are looking a lot more like the team we expected to see in 2022. They have put together their first four-game winning streak since the first week of May. It’s even more encouraging that the four wins have come against division foes they are chasing in the standings. All four wins have come on the road with two more left in Minnesota. Minnesota’s bullpen has been taxed in the first two games of the series so the White Sox are primed to tighten the race in the second half with two more wins.
Notes
Luis Robert left the game due to lightheadedness. He is day-to-day.
Yasmani Grandal crushed a 407 ft homer for Triple-A Charlotte. He is expected to return to the Sox lineup in the second half.
Eloy Jimenez missed his second straight game with a tight right hamstring. He took batting practice, but did not run the bases.
Tim Anderson made a spectacular leaping catch to rob a base hit.
What’s on Tap Next?
Lance Lynn will make his seventh start since coming off the IL. He will hope to get his season back on track after a rough few outings. Dylan Bundy will take the mound for the Twins. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Chicago. Sox On Tap will have the postgame.
Tune in to the Sox On Tap podcast for postgame reaction and further White Sox commentary all season.
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