Beefed-up pitching staff lifts White Sox over A's
Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox played the Athletics for the first time since last season's playoffs.
After winning Game 1 of the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series, the Sox dropped the next two and headed for home. Pitching was the big problem following a brilliant effort by starter Lucas Giolito in the opener.
Dallas Keuchel gave up 5 runs 3 (earned) while lasting only 3⅓ innings in Game 2, and the White Sox started Dane Dunning and backed him up with eight relievers in a 6-4 loss in Game 3.
Beefing up the pitching was general manager Rick Hahn's obvious goal over the winter, and the big adds were starter Lance Lynn and closer Liam Hendriks, who helped Oakland beat the Sox last October.
As the July 30 trade deadline approached, Hahn added another weapon in the bullpen, getting Craig Kimbrel from the Cubs. The Sox's pitching has been vastly improved this season, and it was on display Monday in a 5-2 win over the A's.
“We owe those guys (Athletics) a little bit and I myself am very frustrated with how I performed in Game 2,” said Keuchel, who got the start vs. Oakland in the opener of a four-game series and allowed 2 runs over 5 innings. “I know the White Sox got me for a reason, to eat up innings but also for the playoffs.
“(Tonight) was one of those starts you really, really get up for. My only wish was I wanted to go a little deeper, but we've got some guys that can lock it down so I can't really complain too much.”
Michael Kopech can totally lock it down, and he did just that in relief of Keuchel with 3 strikeouts over 2 scoreless innings. Kimbrel took if from there with a scoreless eighth and Hendriks came on in the ninth following back-to-back disasters against the Yankees.
While holding the A's down, Kimbrel and Hendriks both struck out the side.
“When everything's going good, everything's going great,” Kopech said. “I think everybody knows what we're capable of, this whole team. Every time we take the field we're ready to win, ready to compete.”
Center fielder Luis Robert sparked the Sox's offense, going 3-for-4 with a solo homer, 3 runs scored and a stolen base.
“It's so fun to watch him take really good at-bats,” manager Tony La Russa said. “He's a complete player.”
There was more good news before the game as Carlos Rodon did some throwing from 90 feet.
Originally scheduled to start last Thursday's “Field of Dreams” game in Iowa against the Yankees, Rodon was scratched after being placed on the 10-day injured list with a sore shoulder. That was an instant red flag given his injury history, but Rodon is hoping to start against the Jays in Toronto next week.
“Arm feels fine,” Rodon said. “The MRI was good. There's no issues in that. My body feels good today. Today was a good day. I guess the good thing from being hurt and having serious injuries or somewhat serious injuries is you know what hurt is and you can tell the difference.
“Today I felt really good. The MRI came back great and we are just working toward the next start.”