*Photo from the Chicago Tribune*
Well well well, this is certainly a sweep that was unexpected. Sergio Alcantara homered, Jake McCarthy drove in the game winning run, and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Chicago White Sox with a 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in Chicago.
The D-Backs entered this interleague weekend series fresh off a two game split with the Kansas City Royals. This weekend, they fired on all cylinders, winning all 3 games for a series sweep of the Southsiders. They've also won 6 of their last 10 games, and have improved to 8 games under .500 with a 59-67 record.
McCarthy talked about the sweep on the road, saying that "After the Cardinals' sweep a week back, it's nice to go on the road and win some games and gain some momentum here for this home stretch. We've got about a month left, so we're trying to finish strong."
After a scoreless first inning, the D-Backs got rolling in the second. Stone Garrett got it started, hitting his first major league home run, a solo shot to center field, putting the D-Backs ahead 1-0. In the 6th inning, Gavin Sheets tied the game with a sac fly, and AJ Pollock added an RBI single, putting the White Sox ahead by a 2-1 score.
It was at that point that the rally started. In the 8th inning, Alcantara provided the big hit, hitting a solo home run to right field, tying the game at a 2-2 score. In the 9th inning, McCarthy delivered the final blow, doubling to center field, scoring Varsho to put the D-Backs ahead 3-2, a lead that remained intact.
Getting the start in the series finale for the D-Backs was Zach Davies, who got a no decision. Davies allowed two runs on 6 hits and two walks, lasting 5 2/3 innings. Kevin Ginkel came on and pitched the next 1 1/3 innings, followed by one inning from both Noe Ramirez and Ian Kennedy to seal the win.
Davies said of his approach in the second half that "Since the All-Star break, it's been that kind of mentality of grind through games knowing you're always going to be there at the end of it. You know, you're not going to win all of them, but it's great to end a road trip like that and get a sweep and just play good quality baseball."
Starting in the finale for the White Sox was Dylan Cease, who dazzled on the mound. Cease allowed two runs on just two hits and one walk, striking out 8 hitters in 8 innings pitched. Kendall Graveman pitched the 9th and got the loss.
Despite the brilliant start by Cease, the White Sox still couldn't avoid the sweep. This latest loss is their 4th in a row, and the White Sox in total have lost 8 of their last 10 games. After this weekend, their record is now 63-65, two games under .500 as August nears it's end.
Cease addressed the losing streak, saying that "Losing is always disappointing. I think it would be an issue if there wasn’t some anger and some disappointment. We’ve got a lot of professionals in the clubhouse, and we’re not going to let our heads get down or stop fighting. That’s really the biggest thing."
Up next, the D-Backs return home on Monday night for a series with the Philadelphia Phillies, with Madison Bumgarner expected to start. The White Sox have a day off before facing the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, with Lucas Giolito in line to start.
Comments
Post a Comment