Moncada flashes the defense in Chicago White Sox loss
As he continues to take a massive amount of pitches and look at called third strikes, Yoan Moncada is a definite work in progress as a major-league hitter.
But the White Sox's highly rated rookie showed off his defensive skills Saturday night in a 5-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians in front of 30,115 at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox (39-62) have lost 14 of 15.
“Two great plays,” Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “Probably one of the best catches and releases I've ever seen. And the slow roller … two really nice plays. That's the kind of athletics prowess he brings to the table. I'm sure people were excited to see it.”
Both of Moncada's defensive gems came in the fourth inning.
Erik Gonzalez led off the fourth for Cleveland with a hard grounder up the middle. Moncada ranged far to his right from second base, gloved the ball and slinged it to first baseman Jose Abreu for the out.
Bradley Zimmer followed with a bunt that rolled past White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez. Moncada charged in, secured the ball and flipped it to Abreu with his glove for the out.
“I just tried to catch the ball and, as soon as I caught it, I just tried to throw it as fast as I can,” Moncada said through a translator.
In the seventh inning, Indians all-star reliever Andrew Miller hit Moncada with a pitch in his left knee.
Moncada went down and looked to be in a lot of pain, but he shook it off and stayed in the game.
“I feel good right now,” Moncada said. “The first moment I was sore in that area, but I feel good.”
Moncada was 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts, all looking. His average is down to .118.
“I feel comfortable,” he said. “I have to keep my approach because I know that the results are going to come.”
The Indians scored the deciding run in the ninth inning when reliever Gregory Infante came on and hit Yan Gomes to load the bases.
Infante then hit Brandon Guyer to force in the winning run.
“Not the way you write it up,” Renteria said. “That's what ended up happening. We fell behind early, but we ended up scrapping.”
Garcia update:
On the disabled list since June 19 with a sprained finger on his left hand, center fielder/infielder Leury Garcia started a rehab assignment with Class AAA Charlotte Saturday night.
In an 8-1 loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Garcia was 0-for-4 with 1 strikeout.
In 56 games with the White Sox this season, Garcia is batting .298 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI.