Sox Spring Training: Sox Make a Comeback in Ninth to Tie Indians

The Chicago White Sox launched three solo shots, but it was their ninth inning comeback that stole the show in their tie with the Indians.

The Chicago White Sox were back in action on Friday afternoon, taking on an in-division rival, the Cleveland Indians. Jacob Turner took the mound for Chicago, facing off against Trevor Bauer for the Indians. The White Sox and Indians played a back-and-forth game that ended in a 5-5 tie, moving the Sox record to 0-1-1 in spring training.

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Jacob Turner pitched two solid innings for the Sox on Friday. He allowed no runs, one hit, and struck out two. Turner made a solid start and let the White Sox get off to an early lead, unlike yesterday with John Danks on the mound.

Trevor Bauer did not fair as well for Cleveland. In two innings, he allowed two home runs, including one to the second batter of the game, Brett Lawrie. He was able to strike out two Sox’, but it was clear the Sox had his number today and were hitting him hard through the first two innings.

A Brett Lawrie home run gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and starting right fielder Jason Coats launched a solo shot in the second to extend the Sox lead. The lead didn’t last long as Cleveland scored one in each the third and fourth inning.

Chris Beck, who appeared in one game for the Sox last year, struggled in his two innings of work. He was able to record three strikeouts, but his control was not there this afternoon. He walked two batters and allowed three hits in his appearance, allowing the Indians to tie the game at two.

The biggest moment in the game came in the fifth inning for the Sox. Jimmy Rollins and Brett Lawrie singled with two outs, and Jose Abreu drew a walk to load the bases. With Todd Frazier up, this is the moment that every Sox fan has waited to see, even if it came in spring training. Frazier hit a hard ground ball to third and was thrown out, a disappointing outcome to an exciting situation.

Adam LaRoche gave the White Sox a 3-2 lead with a solo home run off of Ross Detwiler in the sixth inning. It was an opposite field blast that definitely boosted his confidence.

Will Lamb and Scott Carroll pitched in the next two innings, shutting the Indians out. However, in the seventh inning Carroll struggled. After a six pitch sixth inning, Carroll got pulled after only two outs. He allowed three runs on three hits and a walk, struggling mightily in the seventh. The Indians were spraying the ball all over the outfield and it was evident that they figured Carroll out after his first inning of work. As a result, the Indians held a 5-3 lead heading into the seventh inning stretch.

Peter Tago finished off the seventh inning for the Sox, while Tommy Kahnle, and Michael Ynoa finished the game for the Sox.

Chicago entered the bottom of the ninth down 5-3, and showing no offense this game besides the three solo shots. However, a spark lit in the ninth. After a Courtney Hawkins walk, and Jacob May double, catcher Hector Sanchez singled on a ground ball to right field to tie the game. Adam Engel got thrown out trying to steal second on the next play and the game ended in a 5-5 tie.

It was an exciting game that ended in a way that could only happen in spring training. Brett Lawrie followed up his first game with another impressive performance, and the Sox showed a little more offensive spark this afternoon. It was an exciting game that featured a lot of backups, and minor leaguers. The Sox will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2:05PM CT against the world champion Kansas City Royals.

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