Chicago, IL-(ENEWSPF)- After Friday’s 8-3 shellacking of the Texas Rangers (63-67), the White Sox (59-69) took on Texas for Game 3 of their four-game series Saturday evening at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Sox’ starter Ivan Nova (9-9 4.47) entered the game being the hottest pitcher in the American League boasting a 5-0 record with a 0.85 ERA in his previous six starts.
His counterpart was second-year left-hander Kolby Allard (1-0 6.60), making his fourth start of the season since being acquired from the Atlanta Braves on July 30.
In the 1st, Jose Abreu reached a personal milestone by collecting his 1,000th career hit on a single to right, becoming the 29th player in White Sox history to accomplish the feat. Abreu received a standing ovation from the White Sox faithful and his teammates.
Abreu said later, “It’s a really big accomplishment for me, my career, for my family. I also think for this organization. It means a lot to me, and I want to thank and give this to my family and Jerry Reinsdorf and the White Sox and everybody who has helped me through these six years. They have been very good for me, and that’s why I feel blessed.”
Abreu went 2-4 with two singles on the afternoon.
Both starters were solid through the first five innings by not allowing a runner to cross the plate. Nova did not allow any walks, however, did strike-out five and allow a hit in each of his first five frames.
Allard was equally effective by not allowing a walk through his first five innings but struck out seven in his first five innings of work.
It wasn’t until the 6th when Texas got on the board. With one out, a throwing error by Tim Anderson allowed Elvis Andrus to reach first before Willie Calhoun blasted a 2-2 Nova offering into the rightfield seats for his 15th homer of the year and put the Rangers ahead 2-0.
Nova was lifted two hitters later after going 5 ⅔ innings, allowing two runs – one earned – on six hits and striking out six and no walks on 107 pitches.
The Rangers struck again in the 7th when Danny Santana hit a two-run home run – his 22nd of the year – off of reliever Jimmy Cordero to increase the Ranger lead to 4-0.
That was all the Rangers needed to shut the door on the Sox and end their three-game winning streak.
Despite knocking eight hits on the evening, the Sox squandered some scoring opportunities in the 2nd, 7th, and 9th innings and stranded a total of nine men on base.
Kolby Allard went 6 ⅓ innings, allowing six hits without surrendering a run, striking out eight and picked up his second win of the year to improve his record to 2-0.
Ivan Nova was on the losing end of the decision to drop his record to 9-10 but still pitched an exceptionally well game.
In lieu of the loss, Nova is 5-1 with a 0.94 ERA across his last seven starts for the Southsiders.
The final game of the series took place Sunday at 1:10 PM with Reynaldo Lopez (7-11 5.25) against 23-year old Chicago native Brock Burke (0-0 0.00), who his made his second career start.
The Sox won that game 2-0.
GAME NOTES
- Yolmer Sanchez’s 5th-inning single increased his hitting streak to 12 games, matching a career-high.
- Tim Anderson also extended his hitting streak to 11 games following his leadoff single in the 8th inning.
Picture Gallery from Marian Catholic Night at Sox Park, Aug. 24, 2019
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