The Chicago White Sox rallied for five ninth-inning runs to cut their deficit to four in a 9-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. For the second consecutive game, the Sox were held hitless for most of the contest by the Phillies starting pitcher. Starter Michael Soroka gave way to the bullpen with two outs in the fifth of a tough night for Chicago pitching. The loss dropped the White Sox to an embarrassing 3-17 record.
Zach Wheeler flirted with a no-hitter, holding the pitiful Sox lineup hitless through 7.1 innings. Korey Lee's squibber down the first-base line past a diving Bryce Harper ended Wheeler's bid and his night after 106 pitches. He struck out eight, walked two, and plunked a hitter.
Philly Tees Off
Soroka allowed a two-run homer to Brandon Marsh in the second inning but settled down after the three-run frame. He pitched over Andrew Vaughn's throwing error in the fourth but exited with two outs in the fifth.
Tanner Banks inherited two runners and walked the first batter he faced before Nicholas Castellanos plated two runs with a single.
The Phillies kept piling on with Harper's single and JT Realmuto's sacrifice fly in the sixth. Trea Turner's two-out, two-run double in the seventh expanded the Phillies lead to 9-0. Turner has an extra-base hit in seven straight games.
Woke Up Late
The White Sox offense avoided a near no-hitter for the second consecutive night and broke up what would have been their second straight shutout. The South Siders rallied for five runs in the ninth inning.
Chicago sent 11 men to the plate in the frame, with Dominic Fletcher and Korey Lee delivering back-to-back RBI doubles.
Eloy Jimenez and Gavin Sheets added back-to-back RBI singles to make it a 9-5 ballgame.
The White Sox loaded the bases with two outs, forcing the Phillies to bring in closer Jose Alvarado, who induced a game-ending groundout by Andrew Benintendi. Alvarado tossed one pitch and earned the save.
News and Notes
Paul DeJong left the game after getting hit by a pitch. He has a bruised left elbow.
Danny Mendick has homered in five straight games for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.
What's On Tap Next?
The White Sox try to avoid a sweep with rookie Nick Nastrini on the mound against Phillies' righty Aaron Nola in Sunday's series finale. Philadephia is on a five-game home winning streak. First pitch is at 12:35 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
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