The Dodgers jumped out to a big lead early on and never looked back during Monday’s 8-0 rout.
Mike Wright, whose last MLB appearance was on June 30, 2019, got the start on the mound for the White Sox. Wright did nothing to help himself get more major league experience, as the Dodgers were not fooled by him. After the South Siders went down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, Wright got a fly out to begin the bottom half of the inning (it was the only out Wright got, and it did not come drama-free).
Eloy runs into a brick wall. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/H5ceaUXibh
— The Chicago Dugout (@ChicagoDugout) March 8, 2021
However, that was as good as things got for Wright and the White Sox, as the next five Dodgers reached base safely.
Corey Seager, Justin Turner, and A.J. Pollock got three consecutive singles to open the scoring and give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Then, Wright issued a walk to Austin Barnes to load the bases, and Matt Beaty’s two-run single gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead to chase Wright from the game. Kyle Kubat took over on the mound and escaped without allowing any more runs, but the damage was done.
The Dodgers did more damage in the second inning, this time against Zack Burdi, who dug himself an early hole by issuing back-to-back walks. That brought up Seager, with a golden opportunity to blow the game open, and he took full advantage. Seager’s three-run blast put the Dodgers up by a score of 6-0, and that was more than enough given how well the Dodgers pitchers performed.
A silver lining from the second inning is that it ended on a web gem by Tim Anderson.
WOW. Get up the ladder, @TimAnderson7!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 8, 2021
(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/5BdwgBWyZa
The Dodgers continued to pour it on in the sixth against José Ruiz, adding a pair on singles by Sheldon Neuse and Jacob Amaya.
On the bright side, Codi Heuer had a great performance during his inning, striking out two and walking none, displaying strong command.
The White Sox were hitless until the fifth inning, when Andrew Vaughn doubled to left. Vaughn is off to an excellent start this spring (.286/.444/.571), making a strong case to be in the starting lineup come Opening Day.
In his 2021 Cactus League debut, Nick Madrigal went 0-for-2 with a pair of ground ball outs (a 1-3 putout and a 5-4-3 double play).
This game ended after seven innings. The South Siders dropped to 1-5-3, while the Dodgers improved to 4-3-2.
The White Sox are back in action tomorrow, at home against the Padres. Tommy Barbee makes his 2021 coverage debut, with the game starting at 2:05 p.m. CST.
Poll
Who was the White Sox MVP of Monday’s 8-0 massacre at the hands of the Dodgers?
This poll is closed
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2%
Ryan Burr: IP
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5%
Tayron Guerrero: IP, K
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5%
Jonathan Lucroy: 0-for-1, BB
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2%
Connor Sadzeck: IP
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82%
Andrew Vaughn: 1-for-3, 2B, K, 2 LOB
Poll
Who was the White Sox Game Goat of Monday’s 8-0 pasting at the hands of the Dodgers?
This poll is closed
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3%
Tim Anderson: 0-for-3, E
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23%
Zack Burdi: IP, H, 3 ER, 3 BB, HR, K
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6%
Nick Madrigal: 0-for-2, LOB, GIDP
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1%
José Ruiz: IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K, HB
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65%
Mike Wright: 1⁄3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB