Game Recap 5/17/23 | Guardians Lose 2-7 at White Sox

May 17, 2023

Andy Billman

3 Observations from the Game

1 – Sunburn 

Former Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger “Sunshine” got his revenge by pitching 6-plus innings, giving up 2 runs in the win.  Peyton Battenfield got burned, giving up three home runs and only going 4 1/3.

2 – No JRAM or Naylor 

The Guards not having JRAM and Josh Naylor in the lineup is being felt as the Guardians struggled with runners in scoring position going 0 for 11.  

3 – Bell 

Josh Bell got the only two RBIs in the game with a 1st inning double and in the top of 7th a bases-loaded walk forced in a run

Game Summary

In a repeat performance from the previous game, Jake Burger and Gavin Sheets both hit home runs, propelling the Chicago White Sox to a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.

Burger showcased his hitting prowess with a triple and a single in addition to his home run, contributing significantly to Chicago’s offensive firepower. The White Sox continued their winning streak, securing their second consecutive win against Cleveland and their third victory in the last four games. Andrew Vaughn also joined the home run party for the White Sox.

Mike Clevinger, facing his former team for the first time, delivered an impressive performance, pitching six-plus effective innings to secure the win for Chicago. He allowed only two runs and six hits while issuing four walks and striking out five. Clevinger left the game in the seventh inning with the White Sox comfortably leading 7-1, after the Guardians loaded the bases with a single and two walks.

Tim Anderson, Andrew Benintendi, and Yasmani Grandal each contributed two hits to Chicago’s 12-hit offensive onslaught, following their impressive 16-hit, 8-3 victory the day before.

Cleveland managed to plate their runs through Josh Bell, who drove in a run with a double in the first inning and added another RBI with a bases-loaded walk in the seventh.

After Clevinger’s departure, Reynaldo López entered the game and successfully navigated a bases-loaded jam, allowing only one run on Bell’s walk with two outs. López displayed his pitching prowess by striking out two batters and receiving a crucial defensive assist from Yoán Moncada, who made a remarkable over-the-shoulder catch on Andrés Giménez’s pop down the line for the second out.

Joe Kelly and Kendall Graveman followed with a scoreless inning each, providing solid relief for the White Sox.

Having spent his initial four full seasons with Cleveland before being traded to San Diego during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Clevinger, now a member of the White Sox, secured his first victory against his former team.

The Guardians were missing their All-Star third baseman, José Ramírez, who was placed on the bereavement list and is expected to return over the weekend. First baseman Josh Naylor was also absent from the lineup due to a day-to-day left leg injury suffered in the previous game.

Rookie pitcher Peyton Battenfield struggled against Chicago’s formidable lineup, surrendering all three home runs in his sixth career start and seventh appearance. Battenfield, who was called up when Aaron Civale went on the injured list in April, conceded five runs and nine hits throughout the game.

Sheets ignited the scoring for Chicago with his sixth home run, a solo shot to right-center field, tying the game at 1 in the second inning. Vaughn and Burger continued the onslaught in the fourth inning, with Vaughn hitting a solo home run and Burger smashing a deep two-run blast to left, propelling the White Sox to a 4-1 lead.

The White Sox extended their advantage to 5-1 in the fifth inning with Moncada’s RBI single, and they added two more runs in the sixth inning to solidify their victory.

Up Next

Thursday – Game 3 vs. Chicago White Sox 2:10 PM EST. LHP Logan Allen (1-1, 3.43) faces Chicago RHP Dylan Cease (2-2, 4.86) in the series finale

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