Everyone reading this can write the script: The White Sox score a measly few runs early. The starting pitching is inconsistent, and the bullpen is horrendous. They lose — the end. Except this isn’t what happened. I’m still not sure I really watched the South Siders flip the script tonight. They had good pitching, defense, and offense. Pinch me, please.

Before we dig into this game from the upsidedown, here are a few housekeeping items.

pic.twitter.com/Tv6X0ySXno

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 4, 2024

Bryan Ramos should have been up already, but here’s hoping he can take advantage of this opportunity and prove to this coaching staff why he needs to be with the big league club.

Then a bit of operations news:

Sources: The Chicago White Sox have dismissed Marco Paddy as Special Assistant to the General Manager, International Operations.

Paddy was named the 2022 International Scout of the Year.

He joined the White Sox organization in November 2011.

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) September 4, 2024

The highs are high, and the lows are low. Paddy goes from the 2022 International Scout of the Year to the unemployment line.

The struggling White Sox finally found their bats, erupting for six runs against Orioles starter Albert Suárez. Nicky Lopez ignited the offense with a leadoff home run, his first of the season and the first of his career. Good Guys up 1-0.

Andrew Vaughn wanted to hop on the round-tripper merry-go-round and crushed a 413-foot bomb to center in the fourth. 2-1, White Sox.

Then, after a Gavin Sheets popup and Lenyn Sosa single, Fletcher joined the fun with a two-run shot to right; it was the first of the year for him as well. Sox in the lead 4-1. Hmmm … can we actually win this one?

The Sox kept it going in the fifth when Lopez, who was 3-for-4 on the night, led off with a base hit, and Luis Robert Jr. doubled him home. Another run, and it’s now 5-1. OK, OK. Not bad.

Andrew Benintendi followed with a walk, Vaughn flew out, and Gavin Sheets singled, loading the bases for Sosa. Lenyn plated La Pantera with a sacrifice fly, giving the Pale Hose a 6-1 advantage. A five-run lead! What’s that? Can they keep it?

The Good Guys picked it right up again in the sixth. With one out, Jacob Amaya doubled, and Lopez singled. Things were looking good again, and then it happened. You know … that dark cloud that hovers over the 2024 White Sox. LRJ grounded into what looked like a 6-4-3 double play but was called safe at first. The O’s challenged the play, and upon review, it was overturned. Then, between innings, the Sox training staff came out to walk back to the dugout with Robert who did not return to the field. Watching the replay, it seemed Luis might have felt something when running to first, as it was clear he wasn’t going full speed. The team later tweeted that he left the game with right hamstring tightness. This is the 2024 season I’m familiar with.

But the storm didn’t come, and the Sox provided some extra cushion with two more tallies in the top of the ninth. This really could happen.

Tonight, the defense looked like it actually belonged in the major leagues. Dominic Fletcher might not be able to hit, but he can field pretty darn well. He has eight defensive runs saved, which is second in the AL. Here’s a look at Fletcher completing a double play in the bottom of the second.

The highlights continued as Chuckie Robinson also gunned down Gunnar Henderson in the bottom of the third after he tried to steal second, while Robert made a stellar grab in the fifth.

The story of the night, though, really was the pitching. The Sox hurlers held Baltimore to seven hits and only one run. Starter Jonathan Cannon had excellent command of his pitches, pounded the plate with strikes, and the wildness of the last several outings was nowhere to be found. The rookie tossed five and 2/3 innings of five-hit, one-run ball. He walked only one batter and struck out four. His only blip was Henderson’s first-inning homer.

Cannon did get into a bit of trouble with two on and two out in the sixth. Skipper Grady Sizemore called in Fraser Ellard, who got pinch hitter Eloy Jiménez to fly out. The reliever also pitched the seventh, giving up only a single to Cedric Mullins.

Righthander Gus Varland came out for the eight, and after a leadoff walk, he retired the side in order. Justin Anderson got the ball for the ninth and made things interesting by giving up a one-out single to Anthony Santander. After a ground out by Colton Cowser forced Santander out at second, Cowser advanced to second on defensive indifference. Anderson then surrendered up a free pass to Cedric Mullins but ultimately sealed the win by striking out Coby Mayo. They did it! The 12-game losing streak is officially OVAH! Happy birthday, Hawk!

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