Offense Fails to Deliver as White Sox Take Series
By Mark Kolar
Jul 21, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (36) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Minor pitched the first complete game for a Atlanta Braves starter this season, but the offense could not produce the big hit when needed as the Braves fell 3-1 Sunday afternoon to the White Sox.
The Braves collected nine hits on the day, as well as four walks, yet were only able to scrape across one run as they left eleven men of base. Six of those men came in the second and third innings. In the second inning, the Braves loaded the bases with no outs. Dan Uggla would strike out swinging, and Reed Johnson would like into a double play to end the inning. The Braves again loaded the bases in the third, this time with two outs. Brian McCann would then be robbed of a base hit to right field on a nice diving stop by second baseman Jeff Keppinger.
A bit of bad luck also played a role today. The White Sox got their first run of the day off an Adam Dunn two out single in the first, as he punched the ball on the ground to left center, beating the shift the Braves had put on. Then in the third inning with a runner on third and one out, the White Sox would again take advantage of the Braves infield alignment, as Alex Rios would bloop a ball into shallow right that would drop for a hit, making it a 2-0 ball game.
Reed Johnson, victim of a line out double play in the second inning, was also robbed of what would have been a game tying home run in the 8th inning, as Casper Wells made a leaping grab to preserve the White Sox lead.
Mike Minor would strike out eight in his eight innings of work, and one of the three runs he allowed was unearned.
The lone Atlanta run came in the 5th inning, when Evan Gattis ripped a ball to thrid that Brent Morel could not corral, as the ball skipped into left field scoring Chris Johnson. Gattis collected two hits on the day, as did Freddie Freeman.
The Braves will now travel to New York to begin a four game series with the Mets. Julio Teheran (7-5, 3.35 ERA) gets the ball in game one, and Dillon Gee (7-7, 4.32 ERA) gets he call for the Mets. First pitch set for 7:10 ET.