In game two of a three-game series, Lance Lynn toed the rubber for the Sox looking to secure a series win. Although he did throw the ball well, the three runs he surrendered were too much, as Twins starter Pablo Lopez was lights out and shut down the White Sox’ bats for seven innings. Luis Robert Jr. homered late in this one, but it was not enough as the Sox fell in extras.
It was a game of missed opportunities for the White Sox this evening.
The missed opportunities began in the first inning for the White Sox. While they scored two runs via an Andrew Vaughn two-RBI double and pitched Lopez’s pitch count into the 30s, the team squandered more RISP opportunities to finish off that inning. When it was all said and done, that first inning rally that was shut down early loomed large, as Lopez would go on to set down the next 23 White Sox hitters in a row. From there, the team was unable to score to start off extra innings and proceeded to allow the Twins to score on a bunted baseball that Hanser Alberto threw into right field.
Despite the lost ballgame, Lance Lynn was strong today. He was able to work around two long balls from Byron Buxton and Michael A. Taylor to complete six innings of three-run ball, striking out 10 without walking a batter. Keynan Middleton and Reynaldo Lopez both impressed in their innings of work, while Jesse Scholtens only threw one extra-inning pitch before the White Sox proceeded to throw the game away.
With the loss, the Sox move to 5-7 but will look to secure the series tomorrow.
W: Griffin Jax (1-1) | L: Jesse Scholtens (0-1)
StatCast Breakdown
Box Score
Offensive Recap
Pitching Recap
White Sox Scoring Recap
- Top 1st: Andrew Vaughn doubles (6) down the left field line. Luis Robert Jr. and Gavin Sheets score. 2-0 White Sox.
- Top 9th: Luis Robert Jr. homers (5) to left field. 3-3 Tie.
Notable Performances
Lance Lynn: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 10 K
Minus the first two innings of the ballgame, Lance Lynn threw the ball really well. He struck out ten hitters and was all around the zone all night. Thanks to the heroics of Luis Robert Jr., Lance will not be tagged with an unfair loss.
Keynan Middleton: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K’s
Keyan Middleton made his ’23 season and White Sox debut with some impressive stuff. He looked fantastic in his 1.1 innings of work, striking out the side in the seventh on some filthy pitches.
Andrew Vaughn: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Vaughn’s sixth double of the season scored a pair to give the Sox an early 2-0 lead. Vaughn also had a great leaping grab in the field tonight as well.
Luis Robert Jr.: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 HR
Late-inning heroics from Luis Robert Jr. tied the game with one swing in the ninth against fireballer Jhoan Duran.
Other Game Highlights
Next Matchup
The rubber match of the White Sox’ first divisional series will take place tomorrow afternoon. Lucas Giolito will face off against Sonny Gray.
The game will begin at 12:10 PM CT over on NBC Sports Chicago.
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Featured Image: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
