The White Sox will limp out of Progressive Field with a victory in hand, but not before seeing that the team has a lot to work on if they want to contend in the AL Central. The Indians are a good team that apparently can pitch as they did not give up more than four runs to the Sox all series. However, the Indians did have an error in every game of the series which tells me that the Sox are missing chances to capitalize. Especially situations where they have found themselves with runners in scoring position. The Sox were 1-16 with runners in scoring position this series and that is what lead to such a disastrous offensive series for the team.
The first game was a pitchers duel. Justin Masterson and Jose Quintana went at it for most of the game, however, the duel between the starters ended when Quintana was lifted so Matt Thornton could start the eighth. Thornton pitched a shutout inning and then Jesse Crain was brought in for the ninth and gave up a walk off hit to former White Sox Nick Swisher. Justin Masterson however continued to bear down and was allowed to pitch all nine innings in his domination of the White Sox.
The second game saw a better offensive performance by both teams, and White Sox fans had more hope for this game with ace, Chris Sale on the mound. However, Sale completely bit the dust and gave up eight earned runs, and did not look like a pitcher White Sox fans could rely on. This was Sale’s first real rough outing of the season so I can learn to forgive, but with two hit bats men on the day I can just infer that Sale’s command was not par.
With the series now in hand for the Tribe, the White Sox really just needed to avoid a second consecutive series sweep to keep their spirits alive. Jake Peavy had a season high eleven strikeouts en route to a victory for the Sox. Addison Reed picked up his fourth save of the season and the Sox were able to avoid a sweep which was ideal considering this was their second series against an AL Central rival.
The Sox will take their 5-7 record to Toronto to face the Blue Jays for a four game set. The Sox will look to do well against their first AL East opponent and this series will also be the first the Sox will be scheduled to face White Sox fan favorite Mark Buerhle.
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