NBC Sports Chicago is simulating the 2020 White Sox season via MLB The Show during the postponement of play. The White Sox, stocked with young talent and veteran offseason acquisitions, were expected to take a big step forward in their rebuild this season. Follow along as we play out the first few months of the season.
Result: White Sox def. Tigers 8-2
Record: 39-34, 2nd in A.L. Central (2.5 GB of Twins)
W: Gio Gonzalez (3-2)
L: Daniel Norris (6-3)
Game summary: The White Sox' prolific offense arrived in Detroit ready to overpower a struggling Tigers squad and did just that. Chicago got the scoring started in the top of the first, going right at Daniel Norris, the Tigers’ ace. Yoan Moncada and Jose Abreu each hit an RBI double to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead.
The big rally took place in the fourth. Norris, sporting at 2.09 ERA entering play, exited the game without recording an out in the inning. Four different White Sox batters drove in five runs in the frame to extend the lead to 7-1.
Due to a high pitch count, Cease only went four innings despite only allowing one earned run. However, Gio Gonzalez put in a masterful effort in long relief, shutting out the Tigers over four innings. The White Sox took the opener in Motown in a truly collaborative effort.
White Sox lineup:
MLB
Edwin Encarnacion: 2-5, R (.323 BA)
Eloy Jimenez: 1-5, HR (25), RBI, R (.255 BA)
Yoan Moncada: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R (.274 BA)
Yasmani Grandal: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R (.312 BA)
Jose Abreu: 1-5, 2B, RBI (.303 BA)
Tim Anderson: 0-3, BB, R (.283 BA)
Luis Robert: 0-4, R (.233 BA)
Nick Madrigal: 2-4, RBI , R (.266 BA)
Nomar Mazara: 2-4, RBI, R (.266 BA)
Scoring summary:
Top first
Yasmani Grandal doubled to center field, Yoan Moncada scored. 1-0 CHW.
Jose Abreu doubled to center field, Grandal scored. 2-0 CHW.
Bottom second
Victor Reyes singled to center field, Christin Stewart scored. 2-1 CHW.
Top fourth
Nick Madrigal singled to center field, Tim Anderson scored. 3-1 CHW.
Nomar Mazara singled to left field, Luis Robert scored. 4-1 CHW.
Moncada doubled to center field, Madrigal and Mazara scored. 6-1 CHW.
Grandal flew out to right field, Edwin Encarnacion scored. 7-1 CHW.
Bottom fourth
Jeimer Candelario reached on a throwing error by Anderson, Stewart scored. 7-2 CHW.
Top ninth
Eloy Jimenez homered to left field. 8-2 CHW.
Notable performance: Grandal’s torrid pace driving in runs stayed in top gear on Tuesday. He drove in two and became the first player in the AL to crack 70 RBIs on the season.
Next game: Wednesday, June 16 - Game 74: White Sox at Tigers (Reynaldo Lopez, 5-3, 4.42 ERA vs Spencer Turnball, 1-9, 7.52 ERA)
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the White Sox easily on your device.