White Sox Crush Pirates Behind Robert Jr., Quero, and Cannon

Andrew Benintendi doubled in Miguel Vargas, then Robert Jr. singled in Benintendi and swiped second before Lenyn Sosa flied out to end the inning.

Robert Jr. added a solo shot in the fourth.

He helped fuel a two-run sixth with a walk, followed by a single from Sosa and a Montgomery double that pin balled off the first baseman’s glove.

In the seventh, Quero doubled and scored on Benintendi’s RBI single. Robert Jr. walked again, and with the bases loaded and two outs, Michael A. Taylor ripped a double to left to clear them all. 

That gave Taylor a game-high three RBIs and gave the Pirates something to think about, like why they play baseball at all.

Dan Altavilla and Tyler Alexander each worked a quiet inning to close it out.

News and Notes

— The White Sox went 5-for-13 with RISP and scored six of their ten runs with two outs leading to every advanced scout double-checking the uniforms.

— Luis Robert Jr. looked every bit the superstar, going 2-for-2, with two walks, a homer, three runs, two RBIs, a stolen base, and a highlight-reel catch in center. 

— Michael A. Taylor continues to play just well enough to make himself a trade candidate.

— The White Sox promoted RHP Noah Syndergaard to AAA Charlotte. More notably, infielder Sam Antonacci earned a promotion to Double-A Birmingham after Slashing .280/.426/.413 over 287 plate appearances in Single-A.

What’s On Tap Next?

Adrian Houser gets the ball Saturday evening as the White Sox look for a series win. Houser has won three straight starts. He’ll be opposed by Pirates rookie Mike Burrows, who hasn’t won a game in his last seven outings.

First pitch is at 5:40 PM CT and will air on CHSN.