Gordon Beckham’s walk-off single leads White Sox over Reds
Take a look around the league with Big League Stew’s daily wrap up. We’ll hit on all of the biggest moments from the day that you may have missed, while providing highlights, photos and interesting stats.
Chicago White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham played the hero Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds.
With two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Gordon knocked a walk-off single into right center, completing the White Sox’s come back against Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman got off to a strong start during the inning, getting a strikeout and groundout against the first two hitters he faced. Avisail Garcia started the rally with a two-out single, and that was followed up by a single from shortstop Alexei Ramirez. That set the stage for Beckham.
The game almost never reached that point. The White Sox entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but closer David Robertson couldn’t nail down the save. After giving up two singles to open the frame, Robertson gave up a two-run double against Zack Cosart. They were the first runs Robertson allowed all season.
With the win, the White Sox improved to 12-16 on the year. The club will take a two-game winning streak to Milwaukee on Monday.
ROYALS MANAGE EXTRA-INNINGS WIN
The Kansas City Royals lengthened their lead in the American League Central on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. They needed more than nine innings to get the job done, though.
Chris Young and Shane Greene turned in excellent starts, keeping the game close. Young allowed just three hits over six innings. He allowed one unearned run and struck out three.
Greene was even better. After giving up an early run in the second inning, he settled in. Greene allowed just four hits over eight strong innings. He also struck out three.
With the game tied 1-1, the rain began to fall. The contest was delayed prior to the start of the bottom of the ninth. Two separate rainstorms came through the area, but the game eventually resumed after nearly a two hour delay.
Once play resumed, the Tigers failed to score in the ninth, taking the game to extras.
The Royals wasted no time going to work in the 10th. Alex Gordon would reach after being hit by a pitch, and took second on a wild pitch. He would eventually come around to score on an Omar Infante sac fly.
The Tigers refused to go quietly. Down by one in the bottom half of the inning, Detroit attempted to rally. Royals closer Greg Holland entered the game, and gave up a leadoff single against Andrew Romine.
Holland then seemed to lose his control. A wild pitch put Romine on second. Holland then walked Anthony Gose. Ian Kinsler came up to the plate looking to advance the runners with a bunt, but he also walked.
With the bases loaded, Hernan Perez stepped to the plate with a chance to win the game. Perez came into the contest in the bottom of the ninth, replacing Miguel Cabrera.
Perez could not come through. He hit a ball sharply to third. Romine was thrown out at home, and Perez could not beat the throw to first.
With two outs, Holland then walked Victor Martinez, loading the bases again. Yoenis Cespedes worked a 2-2 count against Holland before striking out on an 86 mph slider to end the game.
With the win, Kansas City improves to 20-11. They hold a 1.5 game lead over Detroit for the AL Central.
NATIONALS BATTLE BACK IN THE EIGHTH
The Washington Nationals found a way to battle back Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. With the club down by one in the eighth inning, the come back began.
Ian Desmond led off the frame with a single. After a Jayson Werth walk, the Nationals looked to be in good position. Bryce Harper was unable to come through this time, though, popping out for the first out of the inning.
On the next pitch, Ryan Zimmerman hit a single up the middle, tying the game 4-4. After Jayson Werth was thrown out trying to advance to third, Wilson Ramos stepped to the plate.
Ramos managed to work a five-pitch at-bat against Cody Martin. On the final pitch, he drilled a 90 mph fastball out to right field. Nick Markakis couldn’t get there in time, allowing Zimmerman to score from first, giving the Nats the lead.
Drew Storen would enter in the top of the ninth, and shut the door.
After a slow start, the Nationals have improved to 17-15. Washington has now won four straight games.
MARTIN MALDONADO WALKS IT OFF
The Chicago Cubs may have a little more respect for Milwaukee Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado after Sunday’s game.
Chicago intentionally walked two batters in the eleventh inning in order to get Maldonado to the plate. He made sure to make them pay. With the bases loaded, Maldonado ripped a single out to right field for the walk-off hit.
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There was only one out, so the outfielders were playing in. Even if the ball was caught, Maldonado hit it deep enough to pick up the sac fly.
Maldonado had a strong game overall, going 3 for 5, with one run scored and two RBI. To make things even better, Maldonado came through in the clutch with his mom in the stands, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
If Maldonado’s mother, Jeanette, was nervous in the eleventh inning, she didn’t show it, according to McCalvy.
Has she seen Maldonado deliver walk-off hits before?
“Sure,” she said. “I’ve been watching his games since he was 4 years old, so you can imagine how many times I’ve seen him win the games. [Seeing him play in the Major Leagues], it’s fantastic. I know God has blessed him for that.”
Milwaukee will begin a series with the White Sox on Monday.
Want to see more from Sunday’s slate of games? Check out our scoreboard.
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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
