White Sox Avoid Sweep, Snap Skid With 9-4 Win Over Mets

Mets Help the White Sox Help Themselves

The Mets generously aided the Sox cause with back-to-back errors in the second inning, putting runners on first and second. Typically, the Sox squander these moments with extreme prejudice, but not today. Tauchman lasered a double to right, scoring Korey Lee and Josh Rojas to make it 4–0.

In the fourth, after a leadoff double by Lenyn Sosa and a walk to Edgar Quero, the Sox executed baseball fundamentals. Lee bunted both runners over, Rojas grounded out to bring Sosa home, and Chicago pushed their lead to 5–0. 

Unfortunately, baseball remains a cruel sport. Shane Smith, one of the best rookies in Major League Baseball, has pitched very well. However, due mainly to the White Sox anemic ineptitude, the club is just 1-9 in his starts.

Today's game didn't serve him justice despite the nine runs. He struggled with command and labored through 3.2 frames, issuing five walks, hitting a batter, striking out five, and surrendering three runs on just two hits, one of which was a soul-crushing three-run homer by Mark Vientos in the third. Smith burned through 86 pitches and didn't figure into the decision.

Bullpen Holds, Bats Stay Awake—Miracles Do Exist

The White Sox bullpen, not exactly synonymous with "reliable" or "fun to watch," had a two-run lead to protect for five innings. Miraculously, they didn't implode.

Instead, the offense kept adding on. In the sixth, after Tauchman's baserunning gaffe on a Vargas' grounder, Benintendi scorched one into the right field corner, Vargas beat the throw home, and Benintendi snuck in an extra 90 feet. 

He later came around himself on a single from Sosa.

In the seventh, Lee singled, Rojas doubled, and Michael A. Taylor delivered a sac fly to make it 8–3. Then came the cherry on top, or the spaghetti on the pasta, as some say, when Benintendi mashed a solo homer to right in the eighth, his third hit and fourth RBI of the game.

The bullpen didn't just survive; they dominated. Brandon Eisert retired all four batters he faced with two punchouts. Mike Vasil channeled his inner early-career Matt Thornton, delivering three scoreless innings with five strikeouts. 

Miguel Castro walked one and struck out another in the ninth before exiting injured.

Bryse Wilson surrendered a run charged to Castro before recording the final out, closing a game that didn't require nine cardiac events to complete.

News and Notes

• Mike Tauchman continues to be a spark plug since returning from the IL. In six games, he's 6-for-21 with six runs, a homer, four RBIs, and six walks.

• Andrew Benintendi and Lenyn Sosa each had three hits. Benintendi went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and the aforementioned homer.

What's On Tap Next?

The White Sox begin a three-game weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles. Sean Burke will toe the rubber Friday night against Zach Eflin. 

First pitch is at 6:05 PM CT and will air on CHSN, assuming you still watch this team voluntarily.