Complex struggles as ACL squad faces tough losses in lone affiliate action
With the All-Star break this week for the big leaguers, four of the five Chicago affiliates also enjoyed some time off. The only team to see any action was the ACL White Sox, and even they got a few days to take a breather.
ACL Rangers 5, ACL White Sox 1 (Tuesday)
The ACL White Sox (30-24) suffered defeat to the ACL Rangers in a pivotal ACL West matchup, dropping them to second place in the division. Despite early threats, including a first-inning double by Christian González and a single by Albertson Asigen that put runners on second and third, the White Sox offense struggled with timely hitting, going 1-for-11 with RISP and striking out 12 times. Key offensive contributions for the Sox came from Asigen, 3-for-5 with a double, and Marcelo Ácala, 2-for-3.
Starter Connor McCullough, on a rehab assignment, tossed two frames, surrendering no runs on two hits with 4 Ks. He pitched last season with the Birmingham Barons, but only made it through April before struggling with a serious arm injury that warranted 60-day IL status, putting him on the shelf for the remainder of the season.
The Rangers broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning off reliever Denny Lima with a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, taking a 2-0 lead. The Complex Sox did manage to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and nobody out, D’Angelo Tejada scored on a double play, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, the Rangers extended their lead, adding on a tally in the eighth and ninth innings, and securing the 5-1 victory.
ACL Guardians 6, ACL White Sox 5 (12 innings)
The Complex Sox (30-25) fell to the ACL Guardians 6-5 in walk-off fashion. The Sox offense had a tough time executing with runners in scoring position, going just 3-for-18, although they did capitalize on three Guardians errors to score two unearned tallies in the contest. They also showcased their speed with five stolen bases. Christian González and Jurdrick Profar led the hitting with two hits apiece. D’Angelo Tejada contributed with a key double in the 10th inning that put the Sox ahead 5-4, albeit only temporarily.
On the pitching side, ACL Sox starter Noah Syndergaard lasted 3 1⁄3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits, walking one, and striking out three. This was the fourth appearance for the 32-year-old former All-Star, who’s accumulated a 1-0 record with a 2.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP during his time in Arizona. The Sox bullpen largely held the line, with Mathias LaCombe, Marco Barrios, Reudis Diaz, and Kevin Davis each pitching effectively for stretches. However, the game ultimately ended in the 12th inning when Madison Jeffrey allowed a walk-off, one-out single, scoring the ghost runner and securing the win for the Guardians.