LDN - Sports

White Sox cap sweep of Astros with 11-inning win

[August 11, 2017] CHICAGO -- As soon as his 11th-inning single scooted through the right side of the infield and he rounded first base, Yoan Moncada suddenly had nowhere to run.

The Chicago White Sox rookie second baseman's teammates quickly surrounded him and doused him with a combination of water, Gatorade and ice.

His first walk-off hit sparked an instant celebration following only the White Sox's second sweep of the season and first since April.

Moncada hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and then followed it with the decisive single in the 11th as the White Sox beat the American League-leading Houston Astros 3-2 on Thursday night.

"It was something indescribable," Moncada said of his game-winning moment. "My feelings, all my emotions were through the roof."

Moncada's game-winning single off Houston reliever Francis Martes finished off the rally. Leury Garcia singled to open the 11th and took second base on an error. However, before Moncada could deliver the game-winner, he had to rally the White Sox, who were down to their final two outs in the ninth inning.

Moncada tied the game on a one-out solo home run off Astros closer Ken Giles, who had converted 22 of 24 save opportunities before Thursday. The White Sox then put runners on first and second after back-to-back walks, but Giles struck out Yolmer Sanchez to force extra innings.

By then, Moncada had done just enough damage to set up his next at-bat in the 11th.

"Obviously, that's big," manager Rick Renteria said of Moncada's performance. "He homers and then he wins it with a base hit there late. He did a nice job, and he is taking some nice swings."

David Holmberg (2-3) earned the win after recording the last out in the top of the 11th inning.

Martes (4-2) took the loss as the Astros' struggles since the All-Star break continued. Houston lost for the seventh time in nine games.

"We'll figure it out -- we've got a good group in there," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "Every team goes through these stretches, and this is really one of the first tough stretches where we have had a couple of weeks where we haven't gotten the results that we've wanted. But the reality is, you have to play good baseball. We'll turn it around, we'll do it."

Luke Gregerson pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to protect Houston's 2-1 lead. The White Sox threatened when Avisail Garcia singled and reached third on a fielder's choice and a throwing error by Astros catcher Juan Centeno.

After Gregerson struck out Sanchez and Tim Anderson, then intentionally walked Omar Narvaez to load the bases, he got pinch hitter Alen Hanson to ground out to first.

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White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros led 2-0 in the sixth inning after Marwin Gonzalez produced a two-out double that scored Yuli Gurriel, who reached on a fielder's choice. The White Sox answered with a run in the sixth when Avisail Garcia, who doubled with one out, scored on a Sanchez fielder's choice.

Jake Marisnick led off the third inning with a solo home run to give the Astros a 1-0 lead, driving a 1-0 pitch by White Sox starter Carlos Rodon deep into the left field bleachers for his 14th homer.

Houston starter Brad Peacock pitched 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball. He scattered seven hits while striking out five and walking one.

Rodon allowed two runs on nine hits in eight innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk, which helped set up Chicago's third straight victory -- all against the American League Central leaders.

"For us to sweep a team like the Astros that are the best team in the league is something that enhances our confidence," Moncada said. "That's something making us feel a more comfortable (with) our talent."

NOTES: Astros CF George Springer was used in the designated hitter spot Thursday, a day after coming off the disabled list, and he went 0-for-4. Manager A.J. Hinch expects to use Springer as a DH this weekend against the Texas Rangers as Springer gets re-acclimated after missing 13 games with a left quad injury. ... White Sox 3B Matt Davidson expects to start swinging a bat Friday as he continues to deal with a right wrist contusion. He hopes to return Tuesday when the White Sox against the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... RHP Reynaldo Lopez will make his White Sox debut Friday against the Kansas City Royals. Lopez went 6-7 with a 3.79 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 22 starts this season with Triple-A Charlotte. He replaces RHP Mike Pelfrey in the rotation after the veteran was moved to the bullpen.

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