OAKLAND – There have been two things that can be associated with the 2021 Chicago White Sox: Some amazing plays and some frightening injuries.
They had an example of each during a 6-3 victory over the Athletics in Oakland on Tuesday night, one that gives them 80 wins on the season and puts their magic number for an AL Central Division title at 15.
In the second inning, Eloy Jimenez was struck in the kneecap by a foul ball off the bat of teammate Andrew Vaughn while sitting the the dugout. He was in pain at first but would remain in the game and even scored a run in the fifth inning.
Eventually, he was pulled with a knee contusion and his status remains day-to-day, with x-rays on the knee showing no broken bones.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Lambert made some personal history on the mound over the course of five innings, as he allowed just one run on three hits with two strikeouts compared to just two walks. That was enough for his first MLB victory in what was his third start of the 2021 season.
Teammates celebrated the effort by Lambert with a postgame beer shower, which manager Tony La Russa described as the most “exaggerated” he’s seen in a long time.
But before that, Jose Abreu helped Liam Hendriks close out his 33rd save of the season with a spectacular defensive catch in the outfield. With one out, the first baseman ran down the right field line with his back to the plate and made a sliding catch of a pop fly off the bat of Mark Canha.
All were a part of another moment-filled White Sox victory that is typical of the 2021 season for the group.