For the time being, it’s probably better looking at White Sox games as showcases for significant pieces, whether they’re for trades or for their own future.
So while the White Sox blew a 5-1 lead to lose by a 7-6 score in extra innings, James Shields and Tyler Clippard gave up all the runs, which doesn’t really matter in the long run. In terms of individual performances, the White Sox actually came out ahead.
Position players
Thumbs up: Yoan Moncada, whose first hit with the White Sox was a bases-clearing triple to the left-center gap to give the White Sox a 4-0 lead. He also grounded out to first with a runner on third for the game’s first run. He went 1-for-4 on the night and avoided striking out, while his teammates combined for 11 of them.
Thumbs up: Melky Cabrera, who went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk out of the leadoff spot. It still doesn’t look like there’s going to be much demand for a corner outfielder/designated hitter unless injury strikes over the last nine days of the month, but that’s not his fault.
Thumbs down: Tim Anderson, who went 1-for-4 with a strikeout. What doesn’t show up in the box score: He advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw after he reached with that single in the sixth inning, but he ignored Ever Magallanes’ stop sign until he was 30 feet past second, and got hung up for the third out. He also couldn’t beat out a slow chopper to the left side with two outs in the second inning that could have scored a run if he were a fraction of a second faster. It wasn’t a matter of running hard, but the way he spins his wheels in the box after he swings.
Renteria's full comment on Anderson getting out of the box pic.twitter.com/jJMh0MZpd4
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) July 22, 2017
Pitchers
Thumbs up, Dan Jennings, who turned in his best game of the year by striking out three over 2 1⁄3 scoreless innings of relief. With the White Sox acquiring veteran depth from Seattle’s Triple-A team, the White Sox’ bullpen cuts could go deeper than ...
Thumbs up, Anthony Swarzak ... who combined with Jennings for four scoreless frames by contributing 1 2⁄3 innings himself. He had to work harder, allowing two hits and a walk while throwing 39 pitches, and he stranded two in the ninth by getting Mike Moustakas — who’d homered earlier in the game — to pop out on a 3-0 pitch.
Until the White Sox accidentally butt-dial Reynaldo Lopez while sitting on their phones, this is probably how a lot of games are going to look over the next two-plus months.
Record: 38-55 | Box score | Highlights