On Sunday, the White Sox had the chance to gain some momentum, closing out a tight series against a legitimate opponent in the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the case.
The White Sox offense got started early, with Gavin Sheets hitting a three-run home run over the right field wall in the first inning. He was followed by Jake Burger later in the inning, who would hit an opposite-field shot in nearly the exact same spot as Sheets before him. This would be where the scoring would stop, though, as the offense spotted starting pitcher Dylan Cease a 4-0 lead headed into the second inning.
This would hold until the top of the fourth when the Orioles would begin their comeback. Cease would begin struggling to find outs, and Burger would record an error that would be followed by a two-RBI triple from Cedric Mullins. It would all crumble in the eighth, where Aaron Bummer would struggle mightily, giving up three runs without recording an out.
A game that started with promise ends with an absolute “Bummer” of a performance from the bullpen.
With this loss, the White Sox fall to 6-10 on the season, having not won a single series so far.
W: Mike Baumann (2-0) | L: Aaron Bummer (0-1)
White Sox Scoring Recap
- Bottom 1st: Gavin Sheets homers to right field. Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Vaughn score. 3-0 White Sox.
- Bottom 1st: Jake Burger homers to right field. 4-0 White Sox.
Notable Performances
Dylan Cease: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
Cease has walked 12 batters in his last three starts after walking none in his season debut against the Astros. The right-hander has fought his command but kept the White Sox in the game consistently, though it took him a career-high 113 pitches to do it today.
Gavin Sheets and Jake Burger (combined): 3-for-7, 2 HR, 4 RI, 2 R, BB, K
Sheets and Burger were the only offense the White Sox could find today, and Burger’s third consecutive day with a homer was wasted in today’s effort.
Next Matchup
The White Sox look to get back on track as they begin a three-game series against the NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies. Lance Lynn will take the hill against Zack Wheeler on Monday.
First pitch is set for 6:10 PM CDT over on NBC Sports Chicago.
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