The Chicago White Sox ended the first half of the 2018 season pretty close to how they started it, with a blowout win over Kansas City.
Back in March, it was an icy, 14-7 comeback win over the Royals. Today, it was a steamy, 10-1 blowout that put smiles on a lot of faces unaccustomed of late to cracking a grin.
The Sox went up 2-0 in the first, 4-0 in the third, and then went full ham on K.C.’s “bullpen day,” crooked-numbering up a five-spot in the fifth to climb to 9-0. (Speaking of crooked numbers, Ken Harrelson was due to call the game but opted out for illness, missing what was surely the most ideal home Sunday game he would have called all season ... can you imagine the joy in his voice this afternoon? Get well soon, Hawk.)
The 2018 Royals just giveth, and giveth, and giveth, and giveth. The takeaway? Nine more games against these slaughterhouse bumblers, virtually assuring the White Sox of no higher than the No. 2 pick in next year’s draft.
Lucas Giolito was exquisite in his swan song to an ugly first half. After being legit fodder for demotion for the better part of a month or two, Giolito is resurgent, with 13 1⁄3 innings of five-hit, two-earned ball in the two starts heading into the break. Subtract a 30-pitch, two-walk, one-hit first and Giolito was basically perfect today, finishing his last 5 1⁄3 surrendering just a hit and a walk. The 74 game score today is easily his best of his season.
The good news oozed to the offense as well, of course, with leadoff man Yoán Moncada feasting on K.C. to the tune of 3-for-4, three runs, a double, homer and RBI.
He led off the fifth with his dinger, delivering a delightful hug to tío José on his way back to the dugout:
Yo knows . pic.twitter.com/qqLHPxqb6A
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 15, 2018
Daniel Palka joined Moncada in the three-hit, three-run, homer club. His round-tripper coming in the first, to drive in Moncada, and was of the screaming-meemie variety. Cue the accordion:
#PalkaPower pic.twitter.com/zpv1JpdInu
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 15, 2018
Leury García also had a 3-for-4, run, RBI game.
In all, the White Sox clobbered 13 hits, with everyone but No. 9 batter Adam Engel collecting at least one safety.
What a fun way to end a miserable first half. Let’s play Kansas City more often!