Week of July 26-Aug 1, 2021

July 26—Eloy Jiménez activated from rehab

Luis Robert Rehab Progress

Luis Robert CF 88
MLB Advanced Media, LP

July 26—Outfielder Luis Robert to continue rehab at Charlotte Knights (AAA), moving up from Winston-Salem Dash (A+).

Four-Game Series at Kansas City Royals

Royals win series 3-1

Monday, July 26, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Kauffman Stadium
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Royals / Mike Minor, LHP

L, 4-3, 59-41 (.590), L1 | LP: Dallas Keuchel (7-4, 4.32) | Game 100

DEFENSE: Dallas Keuchel allows 4 R on 6.0 IP (6 H, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 3 SO), including 2 solo HRs by Jorge Soler, and a third by Andrew Benintendi. Cori Heuer (1-2-3, 0 SO) and Garrett Crochet (2 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) finish out the game, pitching a scoreless inning each. OFFENSE: Andrew Vaughn 2-RBI 1B in the 6th. Adam Engel RBI 1B in the 9th. Fresh off the IL, Eloy Jiménez goes 0-for-4, but is visibly excited to be back in the lineup. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Kauffman Stadium
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Royals / Brad Keller, RHP

W, 5-3, 60-41 (.594), W1 | WP: Reynaldo Lopez (1-0, 2.00) | S: Liam Hendriks (25) | Game 101

DEFENSE: Dylan Cease allows 3 R on 6.0 IP (6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO). Reynaldo López (1 SO), Michael Kopech (3 SO), and Liam Hendriks (1 SO) pitch a 1-2-3, no-hit inning each. OFFENSE: Eloy Jiménez 3-run HR (1) off Kyle Zimmer in the 8th. Jiménez also shines defensively, making two difficult running catches in the 4th, and throwing Michael A. Taylor out at home in the 2nd. Gavin Sheets solo HR (6) in the 4th Yoán Moncada RBI groundout in the 8th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Kauffman Stadium
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Royals / Kris Bubic, LHP

L, 3-2, 60-42 (.588), L1 | LP: Ryan Burr (2-1, 3.26) | Game 102

DEFENSE: Lucas Giolito gives up just 1 R, striking out 7, on 6.0 IP (4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB). Aaron Bummer (2 SO) and Michael Kopech (0 SO) pitch a no-hit inning each, before Liam Hendriks gives up the tying run—a Salvador Perez solo HR—in the 9th. A Michael A. Taylor 1B brings in the automatic runner to win the game for the Royals in the 10th. OFFENSE: The White Sox 5 H are all off starter Kris Bubic (3 SO). The Royals bullpen strikes out 6. Danny Mendick 2-RBI 1B in the 5th brings in Andrew Vaughn (1B) and Leury García (1B). Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 1:10 pm CDT
Kauffman Stadium
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Royals / Carlos Hernández, RHP

L, 5-0, 60-43 (.583), L2 | LP: Carlos Rodón (8-5, 2.49) | Game 103

DEFENSE: Carlos Rodón allows 8 H and 4 R on 4.0 IP (4 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO), starting with a 2-run HR by Salvador Perez in the 1st. He gives up a solo HR to Michael A. Taylor in the 2nd, and Hunter Dozier brings in Carlos Santana on a sac fly in the 3rd, making it 4-0 Royals. Rodón’s velocity is a few MPH lower than normal through the first couple of innings. With Reynaldo López pitching in the 5th, Jorge Soler reaches on an E6 (Leury García), then advances to third on a Hunter Dozier 2B, and scores on a Michael A. Taylor sac fly. López goes 1-2-3 in the 6th (1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO on 2.0 IP). Ryan Burr delivers 2.0 no-hit innings, giving up 2 BB (0 SO). The White Sox turn a 4-5-3 double play to finish out the 8th. OFFENSE: Royals starter, Carlos Hernández, gives up just 4 H and 1 BB to the White Sox on 6.0 IP (4 SO). Their bullpen allows just one more hit and strikes out 5, for the shutout. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

July 29—Evan Marshall, RHP moved from 10-day to 60-day IL (to make room on 40-man roster)

2021 Trade Deadline

University of Delhi

The 2021 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is Friday, July 30 at 4:00 pm EDT.

Three-Game Series vs. Cleveland Indians

White Sox win series 2-1

Friday, July 30, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Indians / J.C. Mejia, RHP

W, 6-4, 61-43 (.587), W1 | WP: José Ruiz (1-1, 2.90) | S: Liam Hendriks (26) | Game 104

DEFENSE: Lance Lynn gives up 3 R on 7 H for a 5-inning no decision (3 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO). Garrett Crochet and Aaron Bummer pitch a clean inning each. But Ryan Tepera’s White Sox debut in the 8th is less-than-illustrious. He gives up a HR and a 1B, then issues a BB, before being replaced by José Ruiz, who retires the next three to end the inning (the first out comes on a sac bunt that loads the bases with Indians). Lethal Liam Hendriks goes 1-2-3 (2 SO) for the save (26). OFFENSE: In the 2nd, a one-in-a-million situation occurs when Cleveland outfielders Bradley Zimmer and Daniel Johnson collide at the center-field wall, both running to catch Yoán Moncada’s line drive, which rebounds out of Zimmer’s glove, sending it over the wall for a solo HR that should have been a lineout. Brian Goodwin RBI 1B brings Moncada in from second base, in the 4th. Then, with one out and two on, Leury García grounds into a force out at second, beats the throw to first for a base hit, and brings in a run. Andrew Vaughn run-scoring BB in the 5th. Tim Anderson RBI 1B in the 8th, before José Abreu HBP with bases loaded and no outs forces the final run of the game. “Controlled pandemonium” ensues…

La Russa Rushes Infield

When James Karinchak hits José Abreu in the noggin with a 96 MPH fastball, Tony La Russa rushes out of the dugout to confront Indians catcher Roberto Pérez—a run that launches a thousand memes (see below). Both benches clear, but no blows are exchanged. In the end, Abreu hugs Karinchak and takes his base.

La Russa runs with the Beatles
La Russa runs with Forrest Gump
La Russa runs to the vault

Tony La Russa on tempers flaring after José Abreu HBP

Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

July 30—SS Danny Mendick and RHP Ryan Burr optioned to Charlotte Knights (AAA)

Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Indians / Triston McKenzie, RHP

L, 12-11, 61-44 (.581), L1 | LP: Michael Kopech (3-1, 2.55) | Game 105

Rookie catcher Seby Zavaya goes 4-for-4, becoming the first Big League player ever to slam his first three career HRs in a single game—and the second of his three consecutive homers just happens to be a Grand Slam! He tops off the night with a 1B on his 4th and final at bat of the game. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 1:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Jimmy Lambert, RHP vs.
Indians / Cal Quantrill, RHP

W, 2-1, 62-44 (.585), W1 | WP: Liam Hendriks (5-2, 2.47) | Game 106

Game highlights from mlb.com

Billy Hamilton to Injured List

Billy Hamilton CF 0
MLB Advanced Media, LP

August 1—Outfielder Billy Hamilton is back on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, the same injury that landed him there on June 6. This is Hamilton’s third time on the IL this season.

Week of July 19-25, 2021

Four-Game Series vs. Minnesota Twins (Including 1 makeup)

Series split 2-2

Monday, July 19, 2021 at 4:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field – 7-inning game
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Twins / Griffin Jax, RHP

L, 3-2, 56-37 (.602), L1 | LP: Garrett Crochet (2-5, 2.93) | Game 93

Tim Anderson extends his hitting streak to 16 consecutive games.

Tim Anderson extends the franchise record for the number of consecutive games in which a player records both a hit and a run scored to 12.

Lance Lynn pitches a complete 7-inning game, giving up just 1 R (5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO). But Griffin Jax and the Twins relievers strike out 9 White Sox through 7, and 2 more in the 8th. With the game tied at 1 at the start of the 8th (extra inning), Garrett Crochet gives up a base hit to Luis Arraez on the first pitch, Josh Donaldson reaches on a fielder’s choice, then Crochet strikes out Trevor Larnach. Ryan Burr steps in and the Twins score 2 runs on a Nelson Cruz sac fly and a Jorge Polanco RBI 1B. Burr strikes out Max Kepler to end the inning. Tim Anderson solo HR (9) in the 3rd. José Abreu scores Tim Anderson with an RBI ground-rule 2B in the 8th. Watch highlights from mlb.com:

Monday, July 19, 2021 at 30-45 minutes after Game 1
Guaranteed Rate Field – Makeup of June 28 (7 innings)
Reynaldo López, RHP vs.
Twins / José Berríos, RHP

W, 5-3, 57-37 (.606), W1 | WP: Aaron Bummer (2-4, 4.22) | Game 94

Tim Anderson is not in the lineup for this game.

José Abreu’s HR lands him in 4th place for career home runs (215) in franchise history—one ahead of Carlton Fisk (now 5th), and six away from tying Harold Baines for 3rd place.

Starter Reynaldo López goes 3 innings (2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO), and reliever Matt Foster goes 2 (2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO). Codi Heuer, then Aaron Bummer wrap it up with a no-hit inning each. Twins starter, José Berríos is mostly unhittable through 6 innings, holding the White Sox to 2 solo HRs only—José Abreu (17) in the 1st and Yoán Moncada (7) in the 6th—before giving up the game in the 7th (final) inning. In the 7th, Brian Goodwin singles on an 0-2 count. Next, Andrew Vaughn is HBP. Then, rookie, left-handed hitter Gavin Sheets slams the first walk-off HR (12) of his career, scoring 3 RBIs to win the game. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Twins / Bailey Ober, RHP

W, 9-5, 58-37 (.611), W2 | Ryan Burr (2-0, 1.96) | Game 95

➤ Sadly, Tim Anderson’s hitting streak ended on Monday with 16 consecutive games, and his franchise-record-breaking streak of games in which he recorded both a hit and a run scored ended on Monday at 12.

Dallas Keuchel‘s intermittently-world-class, but inconsistent pitching results in a five-inning, no-decision start (4 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 6 SO). White Sox win in a spectacular 8th inning comeback—José Abreu 3-run HR (18), Billy Hamilton RBI 1B, and Andrew Vaughn (pinch hitting) RBI 1B (thanks to Adam Engel‘s beautiful slide, beating the tag at Home), building upon their earlier lead—Yoán Moncada 2-run HR (8) in the 3rd; and José Abreu RBI 2B, and Brian Goodwin RBI 1B in the 1st. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Luis Robert to Rehab

Luis Robert CF 88
MLB Advanced Media, LP

July 20—Outfielder Luis Robert has been assigned to rehab at Winston-Salem Dash (A+).

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Twins / Michael Pineda, RHP

L, 7-2, 58-38 (.604), L1 | LP: Dylan Cease (7-6, 4.21) | Game 96

Five beautiful strikeouts notwithstanding, Dylan Cease struggles against the Twins lineup all night, giving up 7 H and 3 R/ER on 5.0 IP (2 BB, 5 SO). The bullpen performs worse. Offensively, the White Sox *appear* threatening, but 10 hits (5 XBH), 2 walks, 2 ROEs and 3 stolen bases yield just 2 runs in total. Andrew Vaughn 1B and 2B. Billy Hamilton 1B and 2B. Tim Anderson 1B and 2B. Leury García 2B. Yoán Moncada 2B. Adam Engel 1B. José Abreu 1B. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Three-Game Series at Milwaukee Brewers

Brewers win series 2-1

Six of the best starting pitchers in Major League Baseball face off. Collectively, they’ve thrown 794 strikeouts this season, as of the start of the series.

Friday, July 23, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
American Family Field
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Brewers / Freddy Peralta, RHP

L, 7-1, 58-39 (.598), L2 |LP: Lucas Giolito (8-7, 3.78) | Game 97

Lucas Giolito fights his way out of some close calls, holding the Brewers to just 1 run on 6.0 IP (6H, 1 R/ER, 5 BB, 3 SO). But Aaron Bummer and Ryan Burr issue 2 walks (each) and give up 1 hit (each) in the 7th, setting up an RBI groundout, a run-scoring walk, and a grand slam for the Brewers. The Brewers pitching dominates the White Sox offense, but Andrew Vaughn says “NO!” to a shutout with a solo HR (11) in the 8th. Tony La Russa believes that Brewers third baseman Luis Urías is “ducking,” and when the next batter (first baseman Rowdy Tellez) also walks, scoring a run, La Russa takes it up with home plate umpire John Libka and gets himself ejected. Not to be outdone, Tim Anderson aggressively protests the ump’s low strike zone during José Abreu’s at bat (including a well-placed “you f’ing suck!”), earning Tim his own early exit. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
American Family Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Brewers / Corbin Burnes, RHP

L, 6-1, 58-40 (.592), L3 | Carlos Rodón (8-4, 2.24) | Game 98

Brewers lead-off man, Kolten Wong, homers off the first pitch from Carlos Rodón, who strikes out the next 3 batters, to end the 1st. In the 2nd, Rodón gives up another HR, hits Manny Piña, and makes a throwing E1. It’s 2-0 Brewers. Rodón throws a 1-2-3 third inning. Then in the 4th, an intended sac bunt by Luis Urias lands him on 2B (Tyrone Taylor advances to 3B), on an E2 (Zack Collins). The next batter brings in Taylor, and Urias also scores when Rodón issues a walk with bases loaded. Happens to the best of us. Rodón gets subbed out in the top of the 5th, when Jake Burger is sent in to pinch hit with bases loaded (4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO on 4.0 IP). White Sox score just 1 R, on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Zack Collins, in the 5th. Also in the 5th: on a Leury García groundout, base runner Yoán Moncada steps over home plate, but is credited with a run scored anyway. Brewers challenge, and the call on the field is overturned. White Sox then unsuccessfully challenge the validity of the ruling, claiming that Brewers did not challenge the play within the 20-second time limit. No score. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

ESPN Sunday Night Baseball
ESPN

Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 6:08 pm CDT
American Family Field – Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Brewers / Brandon Woodruff, RHP

W, 3-1, 59-40 (.596), W1
WP: Lance Lynn (10-3, 1.91) | S: Liam Hendriks (24) | Game 99

In the most exciting matchup of the series, both Lance Lynn (#2 ERA) and Brandon Woodruff (#3 ERA) turn in stellar performances. Lynn holds the Brewers to 1 run and strikes out 6 with no walks on 6.0 IP (6 H, 1 R/ER). And… out of nowhere, on an 0-2 count, the very same Lance Lynn knocks a 2-RBI 1B in the 2ndhis first hit since his last start with the Cardinals on 09/28/2017, and his first at bat since 04/10/2019. “It’s got to be a good day when you drive in more than you give up,” Lynn tells La Russa after the game. Also in the 2nd, Seby Zavala RBI 1B. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Week of July 5-11, 2021

Three-Game Series at Minnesota Twins

White Sox win series 2-1

Monday, July 5, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Target Field
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Twins / Bailey Ober, RHP

L, 8-5, 49-35 (.583), L3 | LP: Dylan Cease (7-4, 4.14) | Game 84

Game highlights from mlb.com

InjuryYasmani Grandal leaves game in the 6th following an injury to the left leg on a checked swing.

Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Target Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Twins / José Berríos, RHP

W, 4-1, 50-35 (.588), W1 | WP: Carlos Rodón (7-3, 2.31) | S: Liam Hendriks (22) | Game 85

In the pouring rain, Billy Hamilton leaps from the edge of the warning track to grab Max Kepler’s line drive to left-center, landing in the mud and sliding to the wall with the ball firmly in his glove, as Liam Hendriks looks on in disbelief. Spectacular! Game highlights from mlb.com:

Yasmani Grandal to Injured List

Yasmani Grandal C 24
MLB Advanced Media, LP

July 6—Catcher Yasmani Grandal was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a torn tendon in the left knee, sustained during yesterday’s loss to the Twins. Grandal is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

July 7—Adam Engel activated from IL

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 12:10 pm CDT
Target Field
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Twins / Michael Pineda, RHP

W, 6-1, 51-35 (.593), W2 | WP: Lance Lynn (9-3, 1.99) | Game 86

Game highlights from mlb.com

Three-Game Series at Baltimore Orioles

White Sox sweep series 3-0 and season 7-0

Friday, July 9, 2021 at 6:05 pm CDT
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Orioles / Jorge López, RHP

W, 12-1, 52-35 (.598), W3 | WP: Dallas Keuchel (7-3, 4.25) | Game 87

Game highlights from mlb.com

Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 3:05 pm CDT
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Orioles / Thomas Eshelman, RHP

W, 8-3, 53-35 (.602), W4 | WP: Lucas Giolito (7-6, 4.15) | S: Liam Hendriks (23) | Game 88

Today’s 2-inning start notwithstanding, in the course of three seasons (2013-2015) pitching for Cal State–Fullerton (NCAA Division 1, Big West Conference), Thomas Eshelman issued just 18 walks on 376 ⅓ innings pitched. That’s 0.43 walks per nine innings—likely an all-time record in college baseball. By way of reference, the major league record is held by right-handed-Hall-of-Famer-and-curve-ball-inventor, William Arthur “Candy” Cummings who allowed 0.47 walks per nine innings across six seasons (1872-1877) as a pro. Cummings was also the first major leaguer to start, complete, and win both games of a doubleheader (Sep 9, 1876). See, Control Freak: The college pitcher who walks alone in baseball history. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 12:05 pm CDT
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Orioles / Spenser Watkins, RHP

W, 7-5, 54-35 (.607), W5 | WP: Liam Hendriks (4-2, 2.75) | S: Matt Foster (1) | Game 89

Starter Dylan Cease allows 2 ER on 5.0 IP (2 H, 2 BB, 6 SO). Michael Kopech (3 SO, 3 batters), Codi Heuer (1 BB, 4 batters), and Garrett Crochet (2 SO, 3 batters) pitch a scoreless inning each. Liam Hendriks gives up a 2-run HR to Trey Mancini (16) in the 9th to tie the game and blow the save (3 SO, 5 batters). Backed up by José Ruiz (1 H, allowing the free runner to score, 1 BB, 3 batters) and Matt Foster (2 hard-hit lineouts, 2 batters) in the 10th, Hendriks is credited with the win anyway. Andrew Vaughn solo HR (9) in the 4th, 3-run HR (10) in the 6th. Adam Engel 3-run HR (4) in the 10th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

All-Star Sunday

2021 All-Star Sunday
MLB Advanced Media, LP

All-Star Week 2021 festivities begin on Sunday in Denver. The day’s events include the All-Star Futures Game and Round One of the 2021 MLB Draft.

2021 All-Star Futures Game
MLB Advanced Media, LP

LaTroy Hawkins (AL) and Vinny Castilla (NL) will serve as managers for the 7-inning contest featuring top minor league prospects.

Coors Field – 2:00 pm CDT

Futures Game Rosters

Representing the Chicago White Sox farm system will be Yoelqui Cespedes—yet another Cuban/Dominican “Y” name—outfielder with the Winston-Salem Dash (A+), where slugger Eloy Jiménez is currently rehabbing.

2021 MLB Draft Round One (All-Star Week Event)
MLB Advanced Media, LP

For the first time, the 2021 MLB Draft will be part of All-Star Week, beginning with Round One on Sunday.

Bellco Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center – 6:00 pm CDT

The White Sox pick 22nd in the first round.