In a sharp contrast to the offensive outbursts of the first two games, this matchup was a classic pitchers’ duel with both starters dealing, and just one costly miscue by Colson Montgomery deciding the outcome. The fielding error proved to be the difference in a tightly fought battle from the first pitch to the last.
Things looked briefly promising for the White Sox in the top of the first, with Mike Tauchman singling to right to get things started. However, Miguel Vargas quickly bounced into a double
play, ending the potential rally. Chicago managed another leadoff single in the third, this time from Brooks Baldwin, but a double play yet AGAIN killed the momentum.
Atlanta’s starter, rookie Hurston Waldrep, was masterful, using his devastating splitter to rack up the strikeouts— seven in all, including multiple White Sox batters who fell victim more than once. For those of you who read the Game Thread, all I can say is, “I told you so.”
Below marks the first of many failed swings taken by the Sox batters this evening: victim No. 1, Andrew Benintendi.
Chicago’s starter, Martín Pérez, was just as sharp. He scattered three hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking none. In the early going, Pérez worked around a two-out single to Ronald Acuña Jr., then retired the side in order in the second. The third brought a leadoff base hit by Nacho Alvarez Jr., but the southpaw sat down the next three hitters 1-2-3.
The game’s only run crossed the plate in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Marcell Ozuna doubled, and Michael Harris II grounded out. Ozzie Albies then chopped a slow bouncer to shortstop Montgomery, who couldn’t make the play — Ozuna scored, and Albies reached safely on the error. That unearned run proved decisive and costly — and it was all Atlanta needed.
Jordan Leasure, Mike Vasil, and Brandon Eisert all pitched in relief of Pérez. The three relievers combined to toss 2 2/3 innings, with only Vasil allowing a single to Alvarez. I suppose it’s great that they were effective tonight, but we sure could have used a decent arm barn yesterday.
The South Siders barely threatened Waldrep at all, as the Sox didn’t put a single runner in scoring position and mustered only four hits, all of which were singles. The rookie fired seven shutout innings and dropped his ERA to 0.73. The Braves bullpen took over from there, with Pierce Johnson in the eighth and Raisel Iglesias closing it out in the ninth for his 13th straight scoreless outing and 21st save of the season. With the win, the 1-0 shutout secured the series for the Braves.
The South Siders have an off-day tomorrow and then kick off a three-game set with the Minnesota Twins at home over the weekend.
