Chicago gets it done as pitching and big bats sink Pittsburgh
The White Sox returned from the All-Star break with a bang, dismantling the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-1. Jonathan Cannon delivered a masterful performance on the mound, while the White Sox offense exploded for multiple big innings to secure the convincing victory.
Cannon, showing no signs of rust after a few extra days off, was in complete control from the outset. He pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits, with no walks and two strikeouts, tossing 58 of his 86 pitches for strikes. It was an impressive quality start that set the tone for the entire game.
The Good Guys wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first. After two quick outs, Edgar Quero launched a solo shot, his second of the season, giving Chicago a 1-0 lead.
The rally continued as Miguel Vargas walked, and Andrew Benintendi followed with a double, plating Vargas to make it 2-0.
Luis Robert Jr. kept things rolling and singled home Benintendi, extending the lead to 3-0.
Cannon had a quick and efficient bottom of the first, retiring the Pirates in order on just 10 pitches, but the bottom of the second saw the Bucs with their first real threat. With one out, Oneil Cruz and Joey Bart knocked back-to-back singles. Spencer Horwitz then hit a sharp line drive to left field, but Michael A. Taylor made a fantastic grab, preventing a run.
Chicago also caught a break on that play because Cruz went way too far off third base and was unable to tag up to score. Cannon then induced a ground out from Ke’Bryan Hayes to escape the jam unscathed. Robert also flashed some leather in the bottom of the third, making a nice grab in center field on a rocket hit by Isiah Kiner-Falefa to lead off the frame.
The South Side offense got back to work in the top of the fourth when La Pantera blasted his 10th dinger of the season, a solo jack to left field, pushing the lead to 4-0. With one out, Colson Montgomery singled, marking his first hit since July 11th. It was good to see Monty with the hit as he was 0-for-8 before the knock.
Pittsburgh finally came through with their only tally in the bottom of the fourth. Bryan Reynolds led off with a double, moved to third on a line out, and then scored on an RBI single by Oneil Cruz, cutting the White Sox’s lead to 4-1.
The Pale Hose broke the game wide open in the top of the sixth. Consecutive walks to Benintendi and Robert, followed by a single from Lenyn Sosa, loaded the bases for Montgomery. The rookie delivered in a big way, lacing a two-run double over the head of the Pirates’ first baseman, extending Chicago’s lead to 6-1.
Not yet satisfied, the Good Guys piled on four more runs in the top of the seventh. Quero started the inning with a two-bagger and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Vargas drew a free pass, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Benny then singled to right, scoring Quero. Another walk to Robert loaded the bases for the second time. While Sosa and Montgomery struck out swinging, Taylor stepped up and cleared the bags with a double to left field, pushing the score to 10-1. Meidroth, who continues to struggle, grounded out to end the four-run rally.
Dan Altavilla came on in relief of Cannon in the eighth, allowing no hits, no runs, one walk, and one strikeout. Tyler Alexander closed out the game in the ninth, mirroring Altavilla’s performance with an inning of no hits, no runs, one walk, and one strikeout, nailing down the 10-1 victory.