Eloy's 3-run blast powers Sox over Tigers to hold onto first place
Lucas Giolito wasn't happy when he was pulled from Friday night's start with two outs in the sixth inning after the Tigers scored 3 runs to snap a scoreless tie.
On the other hand, the White Sox's ace was understandably optimistic.
"While I can be frustrated by my own performance, at the same time I go back in the clubhouse having full confidence we're going to get back in the game," Giolito said. "I knew the offense would wake up and pick me up, and sure enough they did it very quickly."
Held to no hits through 5 innings by Detroit starter Casey Mize, the Sox's high-powered offense did perk up in the bottom of the sixth.
After Nomar Mazara walked to lead off the inning, Yolmer Sanchez got the first hit with a double and Nick Madrigal scored Mazara with a groundout to chase Mize. Tigers relief pitcher Jose Cisnero hit Tim Anderson with a pitch and Eloy Jimenez followed with a 3-run homer to give the first-place White Sox a 4-3 win at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Entering the game with only 8 hits in 46 at-bats (.146) to go with 14 strikeouts, Jimenez was due to break out. He did, swatting a high fastball to left field and barely clearing the fence.
"I was looking for a fastball but that high, it was just a reaction," Jimenez said. "I thought that ball was 10 rows deep, but I got it enough to score 3 runs."
Giolito rarely needs much help, but he appreciated the Sox's big bats in the series opener vs. Detroit.
"I obviously didn't have my command tonight for most of the outing," Giolito said. "But sure enough, like right away, the boys go to work and pick me up, especially Elly. I mean, he hit a ball probably a good six inches above the zone. It shows how much we pick each other up, how hard we play. It's so much fun, it's so cool to see what these guys are doing with the bats right now."
Moncada sits out:
Looking much more like his old self while going 4-for-10 with 2 RBI in two games at Pittsburgh, Yoan Moncada was held out of the White Sox's lineup Friday night.
With a break in the schedule Thursday, Moncada got two straight days of rest. Not only has Moncada been dealing with lower left leg soreness, he admitted to still feeling a lack of energy after testing positive for the coronavirus in July.
"You're talking about a 25-year-old world-class athlete, MVP-caliber talent who got the best medical care that you could've had and he's still feeling the effects of this disease," general manager Rick Hahn said. "It's no joke. It is no joke. This needs to be taken seriously and the fact that he's able to provide what he has provided is remarkable and a testament to his inner strength and fortitude. It's easy to lose sight of that."
Rodon update:
Reynaldo Lopez has rejoined the White Sox from Schaumburg, and the right-hander will try to get untracked in Saturday's start against Detroit.
Lopez is replacing the injured Dallas Keuchel (back spasms). The Sox still haven't named a starter for Sunday, but it won't be Carlos Rodon.
Building back up after going on the injured list with shoulder soreness in early August, Rodon has been shut down for a week with inflammation is his back/rib cage.
"He got some treatment over the last several days and some medication and I believe will be off a mound again on Monday," general manager Rick Hahn said. "Obviously, time is starting to get a little bit short in terms of bringing him back, certainly as a starter. But we are still optimistic that at some point over the course of the next couple of weeks we will be able to have him back in some capacity."