Carlos Rodon turns in shaky major-league debut as White Sox lose 6-2
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Chicago is the place to be this season if you’re looking for promising rookie debuts. The Cubs already made headlines by calling up uber-prospect Kris Bryant earlier in the season, but Tuesday gave the White Sox a chance to show off their young ace.
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Carlos Rodon made his major-league debut in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Indians. Much like Bryant’s debut, Rodon’s probably didn’t go as well as he had hoped.
Rodon ran into trouble almost immediately. He walked Brandon Moss on four straight pitches, loading the bases. After going 2-0 to the next batter, Rodon received a mound visit from pitching coach Don Cooper. The visit wasn’t enough, as Ryan Raburn hit a weak single, plating two runs. Rodon was able to get Lonnie Chisenhall out on a weak grounder to end the inning, but the damage was already done.
His control issues remained throughout the appearance. Rodon would walk the first two hitters he faced to open the seventh inning. Both players would come around to score later in the frame.
Rodon calmed down a bit in the eighth. He allowed a double against Raburn, but notched his first major-league strikeout against Chisenhall.
When all was said and done, Rodon allowed two runs on three hits over 2 1/3 innings. He walked three and managed one strikeout.
Following the game, manager Robin Ventura said Rodon was probably a little too amped up during the outing.
Rodon will continue to pitch out of relief, but it’s assumed he’ll eventually move to the rotation at some point this season. Like Bryant, he’s probably hoping things get better quickly following a tough debut.
REDS AND BREWERS COMBINE FOR THREE GRAND SLAMS, SCORE 26 RUNS
The Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers showed how much they appreciated Bryan Price’s rant Tuesday by trying to score as many runs as Price used profanities. While both clubs fell short, there’s no shame in scoring a combined 26 runs.
The scoring began in the third inning. With the bases juiced, Jay Bruce clobbered a 91 mph fastball out to right field for the first grand slam of the contest. The Brewers would battle back in the bottom of the inning, however, tying the game at four.
That wouldn’t last. In the fourth inning, Todd Frazier added the Reds’ second grand slam of the night. Cincinnati’s offense would continue to put crooked numbers on the board, finishing with 16 runs.
The Brewers did their best to get back into the game. In the sixth inning, they picked up their own grand slam. Elian Herrera belted a splitter out to right field, notching the third grand slam in the contest.
The Brewers would finish with 10 runs, but it wasn’t enough.
STARLIN CASTRO STEALS THE SHOW DURING ADDISON RUSSELL’S DEBUT
Future shortstop Addison Russell may have been the biggest story line for the Chicago Cubs coming into the game, but current shortstop Starlin Castro stole the show Tuesday.
Castro went 3 for 5, with one run scored and four RBI during the contest. He singled in a run during the third inning and hit a solo shot in the fifth. Castro’s biggest hit came in the ninth, though.
With his team trailing by two, Castro hit a ground ball to left field, plating two runs and tying the game. Welington Castillo wound knock in the go-ahead run later in the inning, and the Cubs would hold on for the 9-8 victory.
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Russell, who hit ninth during his debut, finished 0 for 5, with three strikeouts.
PADRES SCORE FOUR IN THE EIGHTH DURING COMEBACK VICTORY
The San Diego Padres continued their hitting ways Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. With the team trailing by two in the eighth, the Padres started working their magic at the plate.
Things started with a leadoff single from Will Middlebrooks. After picking up one out, the Rockies opted to go to reliever Boone Logan. Logan promptly hit Yonder Alonso with a pitch, putting two men on.
Yangervis Solarte then delivered a pinch-hit RBI single, bringing the game within one run. With two outs, Wil Myers would single in the tying run, and Derek Norris would double home two go-ahead runs.
Closer Craig Kimbrel would allow a solo home run in the ninth inning, but the Rockies couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 7-6.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
