The White Sox had one of their more dominant games of the season on Sunday as they beat the Oakland Athletics 10-2. Leading the way in the blow out were two players who are seen as cornerstones to the team’s future rebuild. Second baseman Yoan Moncada is the face of the revamped talented roster and pitcher Carlos Rodon is viewed as the potential “Ace” of the pitching staff when the team is ready to compete.
Rodon flashed his true potential in Sunday’s game as he allowed only two runs over eight innings and did not walk a single batter. He not only picked up his first win of the season but his first quality start of the season too. Since returning from injury on June 9th, Rodon has pitched well at times but has been hampered by one bad inning in each of his three starts before Sunday.
Last year, Rodon’s season started in June due to an injury that kept him out for the first two months of the season. It wasn’t until his sixth start of the season where he returned to form as he recorded quality starts in four of his next five outings. Sunday’s outing could lead to a similar stretch of quality performances by Rodon if he stays healthy and consistent.
Carlos Rodón’s final line: 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR, 69 of 99 pitches for strikes. 10 swinging strikes.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 24, 2018
The win was also very important for Moncada as he set a career high in RBIs with six in just his first full season in the majors. The double and home run was clutch as both hits came with two outs. Moncada’s double was the most important hit of the game as it came with the bases loaded, scoring all three runs as the White Sox trailed by two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Without the clutch hit, the outcome of the game could have been very different.
Moncada has faced adversity this season as he has struggled at the plate at times and has added pressure due to his high prospect ranking. The former number one prospect from last season has flashed this season whether demonstrating his power or by his ability to get on base by drawing a walk. Sunday’s performance has to be a huge confidence booster for a player that is supposed to be one of baseball’s biggest stars moving forward.
Pitching and clutch hits were on display on Sunday for the White Sox organization and their fans. Excitement for the future is created because of performance witnessed against the A’s. If both players and the team’s other young talent flashes potential going forward, the wait for competitive baseball could be over on the south side sooner rather than later.
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