MLB: Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers

Phillies 8, White Sox 3: Sox continue charge for protected draft pick

Chris “Complete Game” Sale took the mound against Jerad Eickhoff,who is a professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. A lopsided matchup led to a lopsided affair for the wrong team, and the Sox dropped the second game of a 2-game series in Philly.

Adam Eaton took the second pitch of the day just over the right field fence to put the Sox up early. Considering Sale’s string of dominance, one couldn’t help but wonder if that would be enough. It was not. The Phillies struck back with with three runs in the bottom half of the inning courtesy of a single, HBP, a misplayed line drive directly at Melky Cabrera, and a ground ball that squeaked between Todd Frazier and the foul line. They would add on a pair more in the third of a HBP and a 3-iron homerun off the bat of Tommy Joseph. A sixth run in the fourth in would eventually spell the end of Sale’s frustrating night.

• Trailing 8-1 in the seventh, Frazier and Alex Avila went back-to-back off Eickhoff to bring the game to a five run difference. That was plenty for the Phillies, and a man who spells his name wrong ended up notching his 11 win of the season. Frazier now has 38 dingers on the season and improved his chances to break the elusive 40 barrier.

• Coming into the game, the official BP Southside betting moderator (aka Nick Schaefer) put the over/under on number of Sox relievers used at 1.5. Most took the under. Most were dead wrong. Sale didn’t have his best stuff or command and it showed in his final line. 4IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 5 K, 3 HBP. Facing an underwhelming Phillies lineup, Sale plunked 3 batters and allowed hard contact all night. The four inning appearance marked Sale’s shortest start since getting hammered by the Indians on May 24th , and almost certainly puts the nail in the coffin for his outside bid at a Cy Young.

• Things got scary in the sixth when Chris Beck plunked Tyler Goeddel in the back of the helmet. After laying on the ground for a moment, Goeddel was able to walk off the field under his own power. All-in-all, Sox pitchers hit four batters during the game.

• Adam Eaton led the modest charge with a three-for-four day including his 14th home run, which ties his total from 2015. His .795 OPS would be a career high, and his defensive improvements have been well documented. In a season of disappointments, it’s nice to know that not all is terrible, depressing sadness. Just most of it.

Team Record: 72-80

Next game is Friday at Cleveland at 6:10pm CT.

 

Lead Image Credit: Rick Osentoski // USA Today Sports Images

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