ChiSox take rubber game...now trail by two games

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lgcrowder67
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Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2017 3:31 pm

ChiSox take rubber game...now trail by two games

Post by lgcrowder67 »

Washington lost to second place Cleveland 5-0. Sammy Rosen pitched a complete game four hit shutout for the winners to improve to 6-2 2.77 on the season. The loss cost Washington a chance at taking over sole possession of first place.

Chicago and Detroit completed their three game series as the White Sox held off the Wheels 8-7 to take the series and move two behind Washington and Detroit and one behind Cleveland.

It was the eighth win in the last ten games for the resurgent Sox who were mired in the second division until two weeks ago when they awoke and started to get outstanding pitching with a stopper at the back of the bullpen in Steve Batista. George Hesketh was given the assignment of shutting down the hard hitting Detroit lineup and he lasted seven and two thirds innings, gave up 12 hits and four runs, he had control problems walking seven, a season high, and striking out six.

Hesketh earned his seventh win in eight decisions which leads the American League. His 2.62 ERA is 5th, 68.2 innings pitched is 4th and 53 strike outs ranks 6th.

Mickey Finch went five for five for Detroit with two runs scored, a double (9th), stolen base (3rd), and four runs batted in.

The hitting star for Chicago was a young rookie outfielder who has of late forced his way into the lineup more and more. Gary Sechrist, making his second start, this time in right field, drove in five runs in the game with three hits, his first two extra base hits of the season, a double and a homerun.

Detroit came out hot to start the game picking up a run on two hits in the first inning. Harry Anderson singled, stole second base and scored on a two out single by Mickey Finch. Hesketh recorded two of his six strikeouts in the inning. 1-0 Detroit.

The first two hitters of the second inning for the White Sox, Charlie Durbin and outfielder Gary Secrist, doubled and singled to tie the score with no one out. Catcher Steve Bartholomew singled with two outs. Secrist stopped at third putting runners on the corners with two out. Jim Iorg got the pitcher, Hesketh, to pop out to end the inning. 1-1 tied.

The Sox erupted for four runs on four hits and a walk in the 3rd inning. Charlie White had a lead off single to center field. Lebron flied out to center. Iorg walked Hambright. Durbin advanced both runners to second and third but at the price of the second out of the inning. Secrist picked on a high fastball from Iorg and drilled it into the left center field past left fielder Dwaine Novotny good for two runs. (White and Hambright). Chip Barbieri singled to center field sending Sechrist to third base where he scored along with Barbieri on a double off the wall by Ed Farmer. Iorg got Steve Bartholomew to fly out to center field stranding Farmer at second. 5-1 Chicago.

Detroit made Hesketh work hard in the 5th inning. Norton lead off with a single. Hesketh seemed to lose his release point and walked both Finch and Kelly to load the bases with one out. Hesketh fielded a comebacker from Novotney forced Norton at the plate for out number two. Hesketh escaped any damage leaving the bases loaded by getting Howie Albury to ground out to Durbin at second.

Right hander Dave Billardello replaced Iorg to start the 5th inning. Billardello struck out Hambright to start the inning. Then he made a poor effort fielding a bunt by Durbin down the third base line allowing him to reach. He gave the rookie Sechrist a cookie on the second pitch to him and the 27 year old outfielder deposited into the left field stands. 7-1

Chicago manufactured a run in the six inning. Bartholomew doubled down the left field line. Hesketh's bunt was good enough to move the slow footed catcher to third. with one out and White's infield grounder got the run in.

The Sox took an 8-1 lead into the eight inning.

The final two innings were tough on the White Sox as everything seemed to go wrong.

Hesketh started the 8th and struck out pinch hitter Steve Moore. Then the other shoe seemed to drop. Larry Souza singled to right field. Harry Anderson doubled to right scoring the fleet footed Souza. Norton bounced to shortstop for the second out. Finch collected another of his five hits driving in Anderson.

Hesketh began to unravel hitting pinch hitter Jack Gregory, then he walked Kelly and Novotney to force home another run.

That brought in Fred Richards to replace Hesketh and he got Howie Albury to ground out. The three runs made it 8-4.

Chicago could not get it done in the bottom of the 8th despite two walks by Jerry Tamargo. Barbieri drew the first walk. Farmer flied out, then Tamargo picked Barbieri off first base. Tamargo got a little too cute nibbling at the plate to weak hitting catcher Steve Barthlolmew and walked him. He took a deep breath and struck out John LaPointe to end the inning. All the momentum suddenly with Detroit.

Val Brizzolara took over for the ninth inning and did not fare well at all.

Brizzolara struck out Ben Masterson to start the inning but did not retire another batter. Souza and Anderson both walked.

That was all for him and Steve Batista's day off was short lived. Batista came in and struck out Norton, a tough out. Finch completed his five hit day with a RBI double driving in Souza and Anderson. Jack Gregory who had pinch hit in the eight inning and stayed in at second base singled in Finch to make it a one run game.

Then Gregory tried to steal second base and was thrown out by Bartholomew on a laser to second baseman Ricardo Wells to end the game.

A good series and a confidence booster for the White Sox who have quietly snuck into the picture in the American League.
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