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The Chicago White Sox almost completed an epic comeback to take the series lead against Cleveland, but the Wahoos held on to secure the win for their ace.
The Starters
Dylan Cease just did not have it tonight, unfortunately. He went 3 1⁄3 innings and gave up six runs off of eight hits (one was a home run) and two walks. He only struck out two batters. A pitcher known for his CSW% this season did not get very many called strikes and whiffs.
His brief (in innings), yet long (in pitches) outing went like this:
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Shane Bieber continues to be gettable for the Sox this season, but he stills finds a way to secure the win. In seven innings, he gave up three runs (two earned) off of five hits and two walks; he did strike out seven batters.
His 103 pitches break down like this:
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Pressure Play
With the bases loaded, two outs, and dealing with a struggling James Karinchak (even with a glob of pine tar on the inside of his glove), José Abreu grounded out (9.15 LI) on presumably ball three in a 2-0 count to end the game and end the rally.
Pressure Cooker
In one inning of work, Karinchak gave up two runs off of four hits and almost blew the game for his team. He hung onto the win, though, facing a 3.02 pLI.
Top Play
Blowing everyone out of the water, Billy “The Hitter” Hamilton doubled to right field in the second inning to score two runs, and on a few errors, Hamilton also scored on his double, which we all though was going to be an inside-the-park home run.
BILLY FREAKIN' HAMILTON pic.twitter.com/4YhSHBNoKs
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 1, 2021
Top Performer
Harold Ramírez’s .179 WPA after a 2-for-4 night and driving in two runs gives him the top performer award. H0wever, Jake freaking Lamb was not far behind with his .156 WPA; Lamb never was out once tonight, as he went 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.
Smackdown
Hardest hit: Yoán Moncada’s 105.7 mph single in the first was tonight’s hardest “hit,” but Yermín Mercedes tallied a 110.7 mph line out.
Weakest contact: Zack Collins’ 53.9 mph ground out in the seventh would be considered speeding under a 45-mph speed limit. But in baseball, that is not a ticket for speeding, but being too slow.
Luckiest hit: Josh Naylor’s .150 xBA on a 48.1 mph baseball in the first ended up a hit.
Toughest out: Yermín Mercedes thought he was about to leave the struggle bus in the second inning after a 110.7 mph exit velo and a .810 xBA, only to line out and not be on base right before Hamilton’s heroism.
Longest hit: Billy Hamilton’s 377-foot double, turned unofficial inside-the-park home run, is tonight’s longest hit.
Magic Number: 60
It has been 60 days since Andrew Vaughn made his major league debut in left field, his first time playing the position since ever, and he is going to end up winning the Gold Glove Award.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 1, 2021
Glossary
Hard-hit is any ball off the bat at 95 mph or more
LI measures pressure per play
pLI measures total pressure faced in game
Whiff a swing-and-miss
WPA win probability added measures contributions to the win
xBA expected batting average
Poll
Which White Sox player contributed to the wining side of the almost-successful comeback?
This poll is closed
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29%
Jake Lamb: 2-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
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12%
Billy Hamilton: 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 SO, 1 LOB
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0%
Zack Collins: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 LOB
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16%
Yoán Moncada: 2-for-3, 2 BB
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41%
White Sox Bullpen (Ruíz, Burr, Crochet): 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 SO
Poll
Which White Sox player contributed to the losing side of the failed comeback?
This poll is closed
-
35%
Dylan Cease: 3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR
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0%
Nick Madrigal: 1-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 SO
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64%
José Abreu: 0-for-5, 1 SO, 8 LOB
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0%
Yermín Mercedes: 0-for-4, 1 SO, 3 LOB
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0%
Andrew Vaughn: 0-for-4, 2 SO, 4 LOB
South Side Sox Roll Call
On a modest, 149-comment night, AnoHito got back in the winner’s circle.
# | Commenter | # Comments |
---|---|---|
1 | AnoHito | 25 |
2 | baines03 | 15 |
3 | katiesphil | 13 |
4 | Pointerbabe | 12 |
5 | SaleingAway | 7 |
6 | NothinbutNets7 | 7 |
7 | BillyK0chFanClub | 7 |
8 | WIN05 | 6 |
9 | Gutteridge70 | 6 |
10 | Schoolly_D | 6 |
11 | steely3000 | 6 |
12 | Uribe Down | 5 |
13 | steeplechased | 5 |
14 | seven11 | 5 |
15 | Trooper Galactus | 4 |
16 | obnoxious american | 4 |
17 | David John Craven | 3 |
18 | DonGutteridge | 2 |
19 | FootlongComiskeyDog | 2 |
20 | eyrepuppy | 2 |
21 | Right Size Wrong Shape | 2 |
22 | venom truth | 1 |
23 | South Side Expat | 1 |
24 | jonmanster | 1 |
25 | mrridgman | 1 |
26 | Mark P. Liptak | 1 |
Three instances of green tonight, with two by Billy Koch and one from seven11:
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