While a regulation MLB game is nine innings, it can take just one inning to change the entire landscape of a game. Unfortunately for the White Sox, they were on the bad end of an inning that was more horrifying than the recent Backrooms movie.
It was an odd game that had the good vibes flowing from the very beginning. The White Sox took advantage of wild Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti from the jump and put up three runs before the Astros could find a trash can to take advantage of. The White Sox would add on two more runs in the fifth thanks to a rally started by “small ball” walks/wild pitches/singles.
It appeared that nothing could stop the White Sox from taking another step closer to the AL Central crown — until the game turned around so quick it may have just gave all 28,657 in attendance whiplash.
Down 5-0, the Houston Astros dropped a snowman on the White Sox in the sixth inning. Of the 11 Astros who strolled to the plate and eventually ended up reaching base, nine were due to either a single, walk, or a hit batter. It wasn’t like Davis Martin and Bryan Hudson were throwing meatballs down the plate that were getting blasted to Hammond, they just couldn’t buy an out. Nevertheless, it was an incredibly surprising development, especially with Martin on the hill. After allowing just three hits over the first five innings, he allowed three hits and hit a batter in the sixth inning alone before he was yanked for Hudson.
While Martin’s meltdown alone was bad enough, it only got worse with Hudson having a complete blow up. Much like Martin, Hudson has been solid most of the year, but had an awful night; the southpaw could only get two outs while giving up four earned runs in the process.
Eventually and improbably, Seranthony Domínguez got the White Sox out of the inning. But much like going out after 2 a.m., when you have three separate pitchers throwing in the same inning, nothing good can result. The Astros onslaught stunned the crowd, and it’s hard to blame the offense for looking shellshocked the rest of the night.
Both fortunately and unfortunately, there wasn’t really much action after that sixth inning. Fortunately, because the South Siders didn’t get embarrassed any worse, but also unfortunately because it was truly that one inning that led to Chicago’s demise. It was a weird change from a team that hasn’t let too many games get away this year.
With a Cleveland Guardians loss, this 9-5 disappointment was more of a “no harm, no foul” situation. Even so, it still sucks to see a perfectly good win, and chance to gain another game atop the AL Central, go to waste due to one inning.
Out of all the sad South Side fans, my heart goes out to our SSS colleague Hannah Filippo, as not only did she have to watch the loss, but she also started Davis Martin in her fantasy league. You’ll get them next time, Hannah!
MVP
Braden Montgomery: 3-for-5, R, RBI, 2 K
Runners-Up
Chase Meidroth: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, K
Trevor Richards: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K
Cold Cat
Bryan Hudson: 2/3 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, BB, K, LOSS (3-3)
Runners-Up
Davis Martin: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 K
Drew Romo: 0-for-3, .127 AVG and .515 OPS on the season
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