White Sox 7, Orioles 1: Sale salvages series split

Chris Sale is now 6-0 after 6 starts. He started with an economical approach, working in the low 90s before getting it up to 97-98 in the 5th inning. He struck out 6 and walked 4. With a 6-0 lead after 5 inning, Robin Ventura sent the Condor back out there for the 6th inning despite him being up over 100 pitches to start the frame. Jake Petricka relieved him after one out and a man on first, and the inherited runner came around to score on Sale's tab as the Jake Meister didn't have his best stuff today. He only retired 1 batter, allowing a walk and hit before Phat Matt Albers came in to put out the fire, working a scoreless inning to start a new streak.

* Can't believe I didnt include this but Sale struck out Mark Trumbo with a full count while also plunking him on the knee. See the comments for the gif, courtesy of Soxfanpa.

The offense did some damage to O's starter eventually, after he got out of a jam in the second inning. The White Sox had the bases loaded and no outs, but 3 straight pitches out of the zone were called for strikes on Dioner Navarro for the first out, setting off Hawk Harrelson, and the inning ended on a double play still knotted at zero.

Brett Lawrie started the scoring with a solo-shot to straight away centerfield in the 4th inning. Then the Sox loaded the bases with nobody out again in the 5th. Navarro singled, Austin Jackson doubled, and Adam Eaton was plunked. Carlos Sanchez grounded into a FC getting Eaton at 2nd, but Baltimore couldn't turn two. Jose Abreu singled to push another run across. Todd Frazier was hit on the hand to load them up again, staying in the game after a brief but alarming delay. Melky Cabrera kept the singles only hit parade going, but Jose Abreu was out at the plate when I personally thought he should have still been standing on third base. A wild pitch moved Frazier into third, and after a walk to Brett Lawrie, Jerry Sands dropped a single into center field, scoring Frazier.

The Orioles got one back in the 6th, with Nolan Reimold driving in Chris Davis before Albers came in and shut them back down. After the brief hiccup, the White Sox bullpen performed up to the same gold standard we have gotten used to, cruising to victory with Zach Duke striking out 2 in his 1.2 innings of work.

In the eighth inning, Adam Jones hit what would normally be a double into the right field corner, but he held up and kept it to a single, unwilling the challenge the cannon of Adam Eaton. I rather enjoyed that.

Melky had a nice afternoon, going 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Lizard man Lawrie needed a triple for the cycle, but didnt get the chance in the 9th, walking on 4 pitches, the White Sox 6th base on balls in the game. After another base hit by Jerry Sands, the White Sox loaded the bases with nobody out for the third time of the game. A Sacrifice fly by Dioner scored Melky Cabrera making it 7-1.

With the day off tomorrow and the previous 3 days away from the team for the passing of his father, David Robertson came on to work the ninth inning and knock the rust off. He walked Caleb Joseph, who was forced out at second base while Joey Rickard reached first. D Bob struck out Manny Machado. Rule 5 pick Rickard is proving to be a good story early this season, earning a starting job and hitting lead off for Baltimore. He found himself on third base after a squibber ate up Carlos Sanchez at short in a first and third situation with 2 outs. Mark Trumbo was credited with a hit on the play. Adam Jones flied out center field to end the game for a White Sox winner.