Rios’ 10th-inning triple lifts White Sox
You can say a lot of things about Alex Rios.
When he is motivated, the White Sox’ right field is likely to show off some or all of his five tools.
When he is not motivated, Rios is apt to make quick outs, consistently fail in the clutch, miss the cutoff man and even drop a flyball or three.
You had a feeling Rios was going to be motivated when he came to the plate in the 10th inning against the Indians at Progressive Field on Tuesday night.
He was, and it was Rios that sparked the White Sox’ 5-3 win.
Cleveland tied the game at 3-3 in the eighth inning, when Carlos Santana hit a 2-run single off Sox reliever Chris Sale, who was moved out of the starting rotation last Friday due to “elbow discomfort and tightness.”
You still have to wonder what’s up with Sale’s health and what his bullpen role is going to be, but let’s stick with Rios.
Last Thursday, Rios grounded out to end the game as the White Sox lost to Cleveland 7-5 at U.S. Cellular Field.
As Rios ran to first base, Indians closer Chris Perez was yelling at the Sox’ outfielder. Rios didn’t appreciate the antics and tried getting at Perez before eventually heading off the field.
Asked afterward if he would remember the incident, Rios said: “Well, you can use it as motivation in some way. But let’s play ball.”
Fast forward to Tuesday night and Rios came to the plate with one out in the 10th inning and Perez back on the mound. Paul Konerko led off the 10th with a single, and Brent Lillibridge came in as a pinch-runner.
Rios quickly settled up with Perez, driving an RBI triple to right-center field. He proceeded to show his speed by scoring from third on Alexei Ramirez’s fielder’s choice grounder to Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis.
It was a big win for the Sox, who had lost 11 of their last 14 — including both ends of a day-night doubleheader against the first-place Indians on Monday.
After Rios came through with the big hit in the top of the 10th, Addison Reed stated his case to become the White Sox’ closer in the bottom of the inning.
Reed retired Cleveland in order to earn his second save of the season. Hector Santiago (1-1), who opened the season as the Sox’ closer, pitched a scoreless ninth inning to get his first major-league win.
White Sox left-hander John Danks didn’t get a decision, but he deserved to win after finally pitching up to his expectations.
Danks allowed 2 runs over 7 innings while lowering his ERA from 6.51 to 5.89.
sgregor@dailyherald.com