Beckham delivers for White Sox as they win 3-2 in extras
One of the Chicago White Sox' few bright spots in April and May, Gordon Beckham eventually contracted the general malaise that infected the rest of the roster.
Heading into Sunday's game against the Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field, Beckham had only 1 hit in his last 34 at-bats, dropping his average to .214.
He was still playing quality defense, but Beckham made what looked to be a costly mental fielding mistake against Texas.
Leading off the 11th inning in a 2-2 game, the Rangers' Adam Rosales pulled a grounder down the third-base line that bounced over the bag and looked to be foul. Replacing Conor Gillaspie at third in the 10th inning, that's the way Beckham saw it.
"I was on the line and I didn't go for the ball," Beckham said. "That's all I know. If I messed up … I should have just grabbed it anyways and jumped for it and got it. Let's just say it lit a fire under me, apparently, because I was pretty upset about that."
Beckham redeemed himself by later starting a 5-2-1 double play that ended the top of the 11th.
In the bottom of the inning, he secured complete redemption.
Facing Texas reliever Alex Claudio, Beckham homered to left field on the very first pitch, lifting the Sox to a 3-2 win.
"Great day," Beckham said. "Great day to come in and help the team win. I feel like I haven't been doing that much lately, so that was a big pick-me-up for me and it was a great win."
Considering the White Sox' offense continued to scuffle, considering Zach Putman pitched out of a big jam in the 10th inning before Jake Petricka did the same in the 11th, considering all of the misery the Sox have endured, Beckham is not guilty of hyperbole.
"Tough game all the way around," manager Robin Ventura said. "Real good job of those guys staying focused. I know we're kind of wheeling and dealing, putting guys on trying to get a double play and we had some big double plays there at the end of the game just to give us a chance, and Beck with the big homer.
"So it's a great win for these guys. The way it's been going, you finally break through and get some momentum going."
A two-game winning streak is not generally considered momentum for contending teams, but it certainly works for the White Sox (30-38).
"Anything helps," Beckham said. "Any win helps. If it looks ugly, if we blow somebody out, I don't really care. I don't think we care. I just think we need to show up every day and put in the work and try to get some wins here."
Melky Cabrera was supposed to help the Sox win games, but he was batting .236 heading into Sunday.
After establishing a career high for hits in a game while going 5-for-5 against the Rangers, the left fielder's average is up to .250.
Cabrera, a switch-hitter, was only 8-for-61 (.131) batting right-handed before going 3-for-3 Sunday.
"I think he's just turning the corner on what he's feeling right-handed," Ventura said. "I think he's just starting to feel a bit better from the right side. And it's a positive sign."
White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins at Target Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Wednesday; WPWR Tuesday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' John Danks (3-7) vs. Tommy Milone (3-1) today at 7:10 p.m.; Jeff Samardzija (4-4) vs. Mike Pelfrey (5-3) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.; Chris Sale (6-3) vs. Phil Hughes (5-6) Wednesday at 12:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox hit the road for nine games, and they have the American League's worst record (12-23) away from home. The Sox are 3-7 vs. Minnesota this
season, including 0-4 at Target Field. Danks is 1-8 with a 6.78 ERA in 11 career starts vs. the Twins. Minnesota has lost 10 of its last 15. Top prospect Byron Buxton is off to a slow start (3-for-25) after joining the Twins a week ago.
Next: Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Thursday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor