Reds Spoil White Sox Sweep Hopes in Lopsided Finale

For just the second time this season, the Chicago White Sox had an opportunity to complete a series sweep after clinching the first two games. Unfortunately, Thursday morning's finale at Great American Ball Park didn't go as hoped, with the Sox on the wrong end of a blowout. The Cincinnati Reds jumped all over Bryse Wilson early and didn't look back, handing the Pale Hose a 7–1 loss.

Wilson, who had shown signs of steadiness in recent starts, unraveled in the opening frame. After issuing a leadoff walk to Gavin Lux, Santiago Espinal executed a bunt single, and an Elly De La Cruz bloop hit to load the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly to deep center by Austin Hays gave Cincinnati a 1–0 lead before a Will Benson single to right plated two more.

Blast Off

Things didn't get much better from there. Wilson allowed solo home runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings, courtesy of De La Cruz, Benson, and Matt McLain. His day ended in the sixth inning after recording just one out, with Jared Shuster coming on in relief to stop the bleeding. The bullpen held the Reds scoreless the rest of the way, but the damage had been done.

Martinez Mows Down Sox

On the other side, Reds starter Nick Martinez ensured there would be no comeback magic. The right-hander retired the first 13 batters he faced and didn't allow a baserunner until Matt Thaiss broke up the perfect game bid with a single in the fifth. Martinez had complete control, scattering just two singles over seven scoreless innings, walking none and striking out three.

The White Sox only run came in the eighth inning. Joshua Palacios doubled and moved to third after Brooks Baldwin drew a walk, and a groundout pushed him up another 90 feet. Miguel Vargas drove him in with a single, giving the Sox their only moment of offense on a quiet afternoon. Vargas accounted for half of the team's four total hits.

News and Notes

• Recently acquired right-hander Yoendrys Gómez made his White Sox debut, tossing a clean inning in relief.

• The club claimed right-hander Vinny Capra off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Chicago must make room for Capra on the 26-man roster as he's out of minor league options.