Rockies 1, White Sox 0: Pitcher’s Duel

Somehow, the Rockies score their first run before they get their first hit

A pitcher’s duel a week into spring games is interesting to say the least, but the White Sox still sit at just one win after losing on Sunday at Camelback Ranch, 1-0.

Both teams seemed to have their pitchers locked in, as Lucas Giolito and Germán Márquez both went three scoreless innings on the mound. Giolito allowed no hits and struck out two, while Márquez allowed just three hits (Tim Anderson, Zack Collins, and Leury García).

Nothing too exciting was happening in the game — until Yoán Moncada came along. Although it was risky for a spring training game, Moncada made an outstanding catch, diving over the tarp in foul territory. Many fans loved seeing YoYo throw some leather, but others were a little nervous seeing him willingly dive into a giant tarp. It’s safe to say it looks like Moncada is getting healthier every day, and that is already noticeable this spring.

Here’s that catch, if ESPN forgets the Sox exist and it doesn’t end up making SportsCenter’s Top Ten tonight.

Moncada also reached base in the fourth inning after hitting a double, his third hit this year, but the offense was unable to drive him in.

To start off the top of that frame, Evan Marshall came in for the White Sox. Marshall was a key component of the bullpen last season, holding opponents to a .198 batting average. He pitched a scoreless inning, followed by LHP Ryan Rolison doing the same for the Rockies. Jimmy Cordero replaced Marshall in the fifth inning and allowed Greg Bird to reach on an error, but forced the next batter, Sam Hilliard, to ground into a double play.

The only run of the game came in the top of the sixth by the Rockies. Kade McClure took the mound and allowed a walk to Ryan Vilade. After a wild pitch and ground out, Vilade stood at third base. Unfortunately, Zach Remillard committed an error at shortstop after subbing in for Anderson, which allowed the run to score on the next batter. Keep in mind, this all happened without the Rockies having a hit yet in the game. Could the White Sox throw a no-hitter and still lose? Possibly.

Well, that embarrassing possibility was short-lived. The next batter, Jameson Hannah, singled to end the collective no-hit bid.

The Rockies pitching was stellar the rest of the way, earning the seven-inning shutout.

The White Sox record now falls to 1-4-3 on the season. It doesn’t look too pretty, but all we can do is be hopeful that the team will turn it around this week. After all, the schedule does intensify, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres being some of the upcoming opponents.

There is some exciting news though: The White Sox also played a B-game today against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here was the lineup for that game:

We finally got a look at Liam Hendriks on the mound. Hendriks had two strikeouts and kept the Dodgers scoreless, while Aaron Bummer came in and did the same. Dustin May was on the mound for the Dodgers and both Danny Mendick and Matt Reynolds slammed hits off of him. Mendick reached base on a single and eventually scored on Reynolds hit.

Tomorrow should be a very fun game to watch, as the Dodgers and the White Sox face off at Camelback Ranch, with Super Joe Resis on the SSS coverage. Hopefully, we can start improving that record a little bit.