The Chicago White Sox rebounded from a 3-0 shutout loss to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in Saturday's matinee. The South Siders tagged former starter Lance Lynn for five runs and a late clutch hit while a strong performance from the relief crew pushed the Sox past the Cards in extra innings.
A tense bases-loaded, two-out situation in the bottom of the 10th was delayed for three hours by rain before the White Sox snapped their four-game losing streak.
John Brebbia stood on the mound in the 10th, trying to protect a one-run lead, when a sudden downpour of rain forced a delay. Brebbia creatively tried to pitch through the storm before it became untenable.
When play resumed, Tanner Banks, the last available White Sox reliever, took the mound. Ivan Herrera pinch-hit for Nolan Gorman and struck out looking to end the game.
An Ambush and a Gift
The Pale Hose got on the board in the first inning when Nicky Lopez and Tommy Pham reached base on a single and walk, respectively. Gavin Sheets' double plated Lopez, and Eloy Jimenez lifted a fly ball that allowed Pham to tag up and score.
The Sox added another run in the fourth when a Korey Lee ground ball slipped beneath Gorman's glove, allowing Andrew Benintendi to score.
Grifoiled
Erick Fedde, coming off a dominant start against the Tampa Bay Rays, struggled with his control throughout the game. Despite five walks, he battled through the afternoon, but his start came unglued in the fifth. The righty allowed a single and a walk to the Cardinals eight and nine hitters, respectively, to start the inning.
White Sox skipper Pedro Grifol trusted his starter to face the top of the order for a third time.
Grifol's plan backfired, and the Cardinals rallied for five runs off Fedde, starting with Brendan Donavan's two-run double. Nolan Arenado capped the rally with a three-run homer, ending Fedde's day.
Pham-Lee
However, Andrew Kittredge relieved Lynn in the sixth and inherited two base runners. Bennintendi's groundout advanced the runners 90 feet, and after Grossman lined out, Korey Lee delivered a clutch base hit. The backstop punched a single to center, scoring both runners to tie the game at five.
Tommy Pham delivered the deciding run in the 10th when he singled to left, scoring ghost runner Rafael Ortega. Ortega entered the game in the ninth when he pinch-hit for Braden Shewmake.
Returning a Favor
Fedde tossed 8.1 innings in his last start, giving the bullpen the day off for the most part. On Saturday, his teammates returned the favor.
Tim Hill relieved the Sox starter and recorded the last two outs of the fifth inning. Hill and the rest of the White Sox relief crew — Steven Wilson, Dominic Leone, Jordan Leasure, and Michael Kopech — held St. Louis hitless until the 10th.
Overall, the relievers combined for 5.2 innings pitched, fanned seven, and allowed no runs, one hit, and two walks.
News and Notes
Dominic Leone exited the game with lower back stiffness after facing one batter in the eighth.
Before the game, the White Sox placed infielder Danny Mendick on the 10-day injured list with lower back tightness and called up No. 4 prospect Bryan Ramos.
What's On Tap Next?
The White Sox look to take the series in the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon. Garrett Crochet will take the ball against Matthew Liberatore, who will make his first start of the season in what appears to be a bullpen game for St. Louis. First pitch is at 1:15 PM CT and will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
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