White Sox 2, Red Sox 1: Leury Legend!

After everything we have seen this year, you have to learn to expect the unexpected!

Leury García was the hero of the game today, as the Chicago White Sox won, 2-1, against the Boston Red Sox in the finale of this three game set, also grabbing the series win. With a loss by Cleveland, the South Siders’ magic number to clinch a playoff berth is in the single digits, at nine games.

What started as an easygoing and quick game this afternoon turned into a thriller in the late innings.

Lance Lynn came out firing and looked just like himself, as he easily got the 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first. Nick Pivetta got the red-hot Luis Robert to fly out to start the game, but allowed a double to Yoán Moncada on a heads-up baserunning play. Unfortunately, he was unable to score from second.

After striking out Rafael Devers to end the top of the fourth inning, Lynn appeared to be limping off of the mound, but returned out for the fifth and finished it without any damage.

Yasmani Grandal has been hot on offense, so here’s a defensive gem of him at his secondary position of first base today because, why not?

Instead of risking any further damage to his knee, Lynn came out of the game and Garrett Crochet started the top of the sixth inning. Lynn had an amazing game even though he wasn’t physically at his best, going five innings with two hits, no walks, no runs, and nine strikeouts.

Crochet allowed a leadoff single to Iglesias which looked like trouble. Luckily, Luis Robert happened. Robert caught a fly ball from deep center field, and made an effortless throw to get Iglesias out at second on a tag-up attempt.

Could that be the spark the team needed to go out and get some runs?

In fact, it was. César Hernández started off the bottom of the sixth at first base, due to a throwing error by Enrique Hernández, and a sacrifice bunt by Seby Zavala moved César to second base.

Who other than Robert to deliver the go-ahead single to break the scoreless tie?

Robert has been on fire ever since he has gotten back from his injury, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. He has done a great job in the leadoff spot, just has he did in 2020, during the absence of Tim Anderson.

Pivetta would be replaced by Adam Ottavino after the South Siders took the 1-0 lead. Pivetta had a great start in place of Chris Sale, going 5 ⅓ innings with just three hits, one run, and five strikeouts. Ottavino got out of the inning cleanly without allowing any further damage.

Crochet would take the mound for the top of the seventh inning, as he induced a strikeout, walk, and fly out. For the righty-on-righty matchup, Tony La Russa brought out José Ruíz to get the last out of the inning, as Bobby Dalbec grounded out to third base to end the threat.

Ruíz continued into the eighth inning, where he successfully produced a 1-2-3 inning.

Craig Kimbrel, in his third straight appearance, came in the game in the ninth inning for the save opportunity. He ran into some trouble, as he allowed a leadoff double to Hernández. He struck out Kyle Schwarber, but walked Hunter Renfroe and Devers back-to-back to load the bases. Luckily, the Red Sox were only able to get out of the inning with one run, as Alex Verdugo hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1.

It was up to our Sox to end the game in the ninth or go to extra innings.

Garrett Whitlock was looking to strike out the side, but down 0-2, Leury Legend had other ideas.

García has been a part of this team since 2013, through the ups and the downs. He always puts a smile on his face and plays his heart out, and for that he should be appreciated. He has been making a strong case for a starting spot wherever it may be, and games like today definitely helped that.

The South Siders will have the day off tomorrow before starting a series at home against Shohei Ohtani and the Angels. Lucas Giolito is scheduled to pitch during the series, and Tim Anderson is scheduled to start on Tuesday, following both of their IL stints. Now all we need is the Chicago Bears to win tonight for it to be a perfect day.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of this football-packed day, and get ready for a new White Sox series on Tuesday!