Without injured slugger Munetaka Murakami, the White Sox managed four hits and scored only on Sam Antonacci’s leadoff home run in a 4-1 loss to the Tigers. Chicago’s lineup went quiet after that, while the bullpen held early—until Joe Rock’s late-game trouble
DETROIT — The White Sox got a jolt early, but they never found a second gear.
With injured slugger Munetaka Murakami sidelined, Chicago produced four hits in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Tigers. Sam Antonacci led off with a home run to put the Sox ahead, but after that, the offense went still. They didn’t record another hit until the seventh inning.
The late rally attempt didn’t amount to much. In the ninth inning, the Sox put two men on with two outs, but Drew Romo lined out to center field to end the game.
Manager Will Venable said the problem wasn’t a lack of competence so much as a rare day where the lineup couldn’t turn chances into damage. “We’ve been so good offensively, even the last couple [games], sometimes you just get beat,” Venable said. “And I think today was one of those days.”
Venable believed the pitching did enough to keep the Sox in contention early. Sean Newcomb began a bullpen day with three perfect innings after taking a line drive off his left arm Wednesday against the Yankees. After Tyler Davis walked the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth. Joe Rock struck out pinch hitter Jahmai Jones to end the threat.
Then the game shifted. Rock retired the first two batters in the fifth, but allowed a walk and two singles, tying the game. In the sixth, he allowed three hits and a walk, and the Tigers took a 3-1 lead.
Venable said he would have liked Rock to handle certain matchups, but also defended the overall effort on the mound. “A couple of the lefties that he faced, I would’ve liked [him] to handle and get out,” Venable said. “But overall, our pitching staff did a good enough job to keep us in that ballgame. Offensively, we just couldn’t get anything going.”.
He also pointed to Troy Melton’s approach. Venable said Tigers starter Troy Melton stymied the Sox with his fastball and cutter. Venable gave Randal Grichuk a rare start against a right-hander, but it didn’t translate at the plate; Grichuk went 0-for-4.
As the Sox look toward their next turn through the rotation. they’re working to fill a spot that required bullpen help. Lefty Noah Schultz is scheduled for a rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Charlotte. but he might need one more before he’s recalled. David Sandlin. who pitched in three games in his first major-league stint this season. was ramping up at Charlotte and was set to pitch Saturday night. Mason Adams, who rocketed up to Charlotte this season, is another option.
“It’s continuing to build right now,” Venable said of the rotation possibilities. “Those guys are still building back, and we decided to have those guys be options down the road. There was a time this year where it felt like there were maybe four guys down there that could be options for you. So it’s always moving at different spots through different times of the year.”.
Newcomb also threw his name into the mix as an option. He began his career as a starter with the Braves in 2017. and he made five starts for the Red Sox last season. “I always love the length, just innings, wherever I can get them,” Newcomb said. “And something that’s at the beginning of the game is nice. I prep pretty good. I was looking for that all year, so I was glad to get one.”.
He added: “Whatever they want to call it or whatever they want to do, I’m open to opening, long open, starter, whatever you want to call it. I’m open to pitching a bunch of innings.”
There was also a brighter note on the injury front. Venable received a good report after catcher Kyle Teel’s rehab outing Friday. when Teel went 5-for-6 with a double. two RBI and three runs scored while catching all nine innings for Charlotte. Teel is returning from a sprained right knee he suffered while rehabbing from a strained right hamstring.
“He’s feeling strong and healthy after that,” Venable said. “That’s a long day on both sides of the plate. Obviously, love the hits, but most importantly, he was able to get nine innings under his belt and came out of it feeling good.”
Teel was set to be Charlotte’s DH on Saturday night.
White Sox Detroit Tigers Munetaka Murakami Sam Antonacci Will Venable Sean Newcomb Joe Rock Troy Melton Noah Schultz David Sandlin Mason Adams Kyle Teel Drew Romo Randal Grichuk