All interim manager Grady Sizemore could do after Saturday’s 7-6 win over the A’s was exhale and laugh.
“Roller coaster,” Sizemore said of how he would describe Saturday’s walk-off win courtesy of designated hitter Andrew Benintendi. “No easy wins for us. That was a hard-fought one, a little bit of everything. Guys kept fighting, kept staying in there adding on; Benny with the big hit again for us. He’s been clutch.”
Saturday was Benintendi’s second career walk-off homer. He said he was down in the cage working on hitting lefty sliders during the ninth inning as the lead dissipated.
“Stay locked in until the game is over,” Benintendi said. “Obviously I prefer not to hit in that inning. But credit to them, it was good to finish that way.”
It wasn’t flawless, but the White Sox (34-115) will take a win whenever they can get them as they look to stave off the record for most losses in the modern era (120). Saturday’s victory snapped the team’s 16-game home losing streak — their last home win was Aug. 12 against the Yankees.
The postgame tenor could have been more subdued given the events of the ninth inning by the bullpen. Holding a three-run lead, Justin Anderson failed to record an out and loaded the bases before having to be replaced by Gus Varland.
Varland allowed two hits before retiring the A’s after a groundout and a pop out. A fantastic throw by left fielder Zach DeLoach saved the team a run after he launched a throw toward home plate to catcher Chuckie Robinson.
“It was a great play by Chuckie, a good throw by DeLoach,” Sizemore said. “There were a lot of plays that were made prior to that last inning, but that was a great job there. Unbelievable play, to just be able to adjust, get the ball and still get the tag on.”
The offense performed well, delivering 16 hits and seven RBIs. The team was aggressive in the zone and stacked good at-bats. Shortstop Nicky Lopez, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., Benintendi and second baseman Lenyn Sosa each racked up three hits.
The Sox also received a strong start from starter Chris Flexen. Flexen threw five scoreless innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out eight.
“Result-wise, I was pretty on,” Flexen said. “Chuckie and I had a really good mix today, and I thought our offense being able to get off to an early jump, I pitched with a little more confidence there, and really just tried to hold it down.”
But after he exited the game after the fifth inning, the bullpen was a complete letdown for the team.
The Sox’ bullpen — which has the second-highest bullpen ERA entering Saturday’s start —couldn’t hold a lead, blowing two separate three-run leads in the game and allowing five earned runs. The ninth inning was particularly disastrous because the team also started slipping defensively — Sosa had an error in the inning that led to a run scoring.
“You’re just trying to think how are we going to get out of this inning,” Sizemore said. “You’re looking for a groundball or strikeout there. Once we got the out with Chuckie on that play, I thought we were in a good spot to at least get out of the inning.”
The Sox have lost 20 consecutive series, but they can rectify that on Sunday with a win.
“All these wins just feel good,” Sizemore said. “They have been so hard to come by. Streaks or no streaks, a walk-off win is always fun.”