A’s pitching gets the job done, as South Siders drop another series.
The Oakland Athletics defeated the Chicago White Sox, 3-1, in the finale of their three-game set to take the series win. In a wonderfully-pitched game by both starters, only one came out victorious: Sean Manaea.
Manaea escaped a jam early, in the top of the first inning, after allowing a single to Luis Robert and a two-out walk to Yasmani Grandal. Unfortunately, Andrew Vaughn was called out on strikes. Although Vaughn has been in a slump, he has had hometown family and friends supporting him all series — unfortunately, that wasn’t what he needed to break his slump.
Reynaldo López had a solid outing, but he did start off the game with back-to-back singles to Josh Harrison and Starling Marte. Luckily, after a strikeout to Matt Olson, he made a brilliant play to pick off Harrison, and then induced a ground out to end the inning.
Manaea struck out the side in the top of the second inning. López allowed a leadoff double to Jed Lowrie in the bottom half, followed by a triple to Tony Kemp to make it 1-0, A’s.
The White Sox fired back in the top of the third inning, as César Hernández hit a one-out double, followed by RBI machine José Abreu hitting a two-out single to score Hernández and tie it, 1-1.
With one out, Marte hit a single, and then stole second. Matt Olson also got on base via walk. López then made an error on a pickoff attempt at second base, which allowed Marte to come all the way around and score would would be the winning run. Matt Chapman then hit a sacrifice fly to score Olson from third, to extend the lead to 3-1.
Manaea continued to cruise through the White Sox, throwing a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth and fifth. In the top of the sixth inning, Abreu hit a one-out single to possibly spark some momentum, but Yasmani Grandal hit into a double play to end the threat.
Ryan Burr replaced López after five. Reynaldo had a solid outing, just not enough run support, as he went five innings with six hits and three runs. Only one of those three runs was earned. Burr threw a 1-2-3 inning sixth, getting two strikeouts.
Billy Hamilton got a birthday triple with two outs, but was unable to score in the top of the seventh inning.
Sergio Romo replaced Manaea in the top of the eighth inning. Sean had a fantastic outing, going seven innings and allowing five hits, one run, and striking out nine. Romo pitched a scoreless eighth, while Andrew Chafin came in to close the game. Chafin allowed a double to Romy González, who is now 2-for 2 off of Chapin in his very short career, but nothing else.
This loss dropped the South Siders’ record to 80-60, and they ended their road trip at 2-4. Although it has been rough lately, Eloy Jiménez, Tim Anderson, and Yoán Moncada will be back soon, along with Adam Engel.
Tony La Russa said they’re hoping to go Rodón, Cease, Lynn, Giolito over the next four games, and to have Eloy Jiménez back tomorrow. Not official and there will be roster moves that have to be made, but there’s optimism.
Tim Anderson took ground balls today
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 9, 2021
Here is some more good news as well. The gang will be back together before we know it.
The team has a long flight home, as they get ready for a big series against the Boston Red Sox starting tomorrow night. It looks as if Carlos Rodón will start, and it will be against Tanner Houck. Game time is at 7:10 p.m. CT, so get ready to see the boys back at home as they try to inch closer to clinching the division!