Carlos Rodon, White Sox shut out Mariners

[April 06, 2021]    Yasmani Grandal went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, Carlos Rodon struck out nine across five scoreless innings and the Chicago White Sox cruised to a 6-0 win over the host Seattle Mariners on Monday night.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Billy Hamilton and Andrew Vaughn drove in one run apiece for the White Sox, who snapped a two-game skid. Yermin Mercedes continued his torrid start to the season by going 3-for-4 with a double and a walk, increasing his batting average to .667 (12-for-18).

Mitch Haniger went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles to lead the Mariners at the plate. J.P. Crawford had the only other hit for Seattle, which has alternated wins and losses in its first four games.

Rodon (1-0) proved impressive in his season debut. The southpaw limited Seattle to two hits and walked three before giving way to right-hander Michael Kopech, who fanned five in two innings. Right-hander Jose Ruiz retired all six batters he faced to complete the shutout.

Mariners left-hander Justus Sheffield (0-1) endured a rocky season debut. He gave up six runs (four earned) on eight hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out five.

The White Sox opened the scoring on a solo shot by Grandal to lead off the second. On an 0-2 count, he ripped a 417-foot blast to left-center field for his first homer of the season and the 150th of his career.

A three-run fourth inning extended Chicago's lead to 4-0.

Vaughn collected his first career RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and no outs. Hamilton followed with a hard-hit RBI single to center field, and Leury Garcia scored the final run of the frame when he sprinted home on a double-play groundout by Nick Madrigal.

Grandal added a two-run single in the fifth to make it 6-0.

White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson was held out of the lineup one day after he felt tightness in his left hamstring while running to first base. Anderson, the 2019 American League batting champion, said he hoped to avoid the injured list but would await the results of an MRI taken Monday night.

--Field Level Media

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