White Sox Blanked by Twins in Series Finale

The same old story of the Chicago White Sox 2023 season played out on the South Side Sunday afternoon. An inept offense couldn't assemble a rally to aid a decent day for the pitching staff. A pair of Minnesota Twins homers and a stellar starting pitching from Cy Young candidate Sonny Gray were all the visitors needed to close in on a division title.

Elvis Andrus and Andrew Benintendi recorded the Sox' only extra-base hits. However, the club went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Benintendi led off the fourth inning with a two-bagger and advanced to third on Andrew Vaughn's flyout. Eloy Jimenez struck out, and Gavin Sheets flew out to end the threat.

Same Old Sox

The South Siders' leadoff hitter reached base in the fifth and sixth. Trayce Thompson reached first on an error but was left stranded in the fifth. The same played out in the sixth when Andrus led off with a double and advanced on a flyout by Benintendi but couldn't score as Vaughn struck out and Jimenez fouled out.

Sonny Gray shut down White Sox hitters, allowing only five hits with six strikeouts across seven scoreless frames. The righty is closing in on Gerritt Cole for the American League Cy Young after lowering his ERA to 2.84.

The 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up, Dylan Cease, put together a decent start but surrendered a three-run homer to Edourdo Julien in his sixth and final inning. Cease's final line earned him a quality start; he tossed six innings, allowing four hits and three walks while fanning five.

Luis Patiño relieved him and recorded the final nine outs, allowing one run on three hits while fanning five. The only run came on a solo homer from Jorge Polanco in the eighth.

News and Notes

Tony La Russa, Harold Baines, and Ron Kittle were honored before the game and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the White Sox' 1983 AL West title.

Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, and Luis Robert Jr. had the day off.

What's On Tap Next?

The White Sox travel to the nation's capital Monday to open a three-game series with the Washington Nationals. Mike Clevinger will go to the mound for the South Siders and face Joan Adon. First pitch is at 6:05 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.