TORONTO – Before the series finale Thursday afternoon, the White Sox who beat coach Frank Menechino said they didn’t like what they had seen since their offense. The Hitters chased too much and did not attack the proper throws, which resulted in high attack rates and low power production.
In saying this, Menechino recognized the day-to-day nature of offensive production. Things can change quickly and they certainly did for the White Sox as they won 10-7 against the Blue Jays to split the four-game set at Rogers Center.
Chicago scored three times in the first inning, chasing Toronto starter Hyun Jin Ryu, and taking a 7-1 lead. Of the White Sox’s 30 hits in the first three games of the series, only three opted for additional bases. They saved their fireworks for the end.
Cèsar Hernández started the show with a goal in the second half with a ball that had just slipped over the wall of the left field. In the third, Luis Robert and José Abreu hit back to give the White Sox the final lead. In the process, Abreu was added to his league-leading RBI total (now 97), while Robert maintained his streak after injury (1,015 OPS in his last 12 games and arrived safely in 11).
“I think it was mandatory that we wanted to go out and do them,” said Tim Anderson, who had three hits. “It simply came to our notice then. It was a must to win. “
For the first time since August 7, Carlos Rodón was up to par again and gave up five respectable two-run ball innings in 67 pitches to earn his tenth victory. Rodón gave up a solo shot in the opening frame, and the Blue Jays rallied a few times during a rain-soaked fifth (when the Rogers Center rooftop closed slowly), but interspersed three goalless innings.
“It had the way it’s been every start this year,” manager Tony La Russa said. “Very encouraging. I can’t wait to send it back. “
Given that Rodón was out of play with left shoulder fatigue, his fast ball speed was of particular interest. Its average speed was a mark lower than normal (94.9 mph instead of 95.8), but at first, this is not a cause for concern. And Rodón’s last fast ball of the afternoon was the hardest: 97.3 mph.
“The launch count will be built,” Rodón said. “I am not really worried about that. I just want to compete. Go compete and throw the ball well. “
With three days off scheduled over an eight-day period after this weekend’s home series against the Cubs, Rodon will gain extra rest as he returns to health.
After the glove, the foot should remain on the gas
When they left Toronto, the White Sox closed the book in a grueling four-game stretch against some of the best clubs in the American League: Yankees, Athletics, Rays and Blue Jays.
Chicago placed 7-7 in those games and La Russa believed their team competed well in 13 (except for a 9-0 road loss against Tampa Bay).
Now, a smoother schedule awaits you: the Cubs, Pirates and Royals are on point and the combined win percentage is .414.
Obviously, the White Sox are running out of expectations for October. But there are about five weeks left in the season and they will have to go after the weaker teams with the same vigor they showed over the last two weeks.
“When you have an‘ X ’on your back and you’re a playoff team, everyone wants to beat you,” Menechino said. “So every game is a playoff game, [and] you have to come prepared every day to get out there, be it a world series game, a playoff game or a game against a non-contender. You have to go out there every day and do your job as it is supposed to ”.