White Sox close out Cactus League season with win over Tribe

SHARE White Sox close out Cactus League season with win over Tribe
indians_white_sox_baseball_2_e1553466623582.jpg

White Sox first baseman Yonder Alonso, right, scores behind Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez during the third inning of a spring training baseball game Sunday, March 24, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Sox 7, Indians 3

Not the worst

The Sox (10-17-2) avoided finishing with the worst record in the Cactus League by winning for a second consecutive day, a mini-‘‘streak’’ coinciding with Eloy Jimenez’s return to the lineup after signing a $43 million contract. Jimenez played left field and went 1-for-3 with a single, scoring Yoan Moncada.

Lopez’s final tuneup

Rather than face an American League Central foe, Sox No. 2 starter Reynaldo Lopez pitched 2⅔ innings against Royals minor-leaguers, allowing two earned runs and five hits. Lopez walked none and struck out five, throwing 49 pitches. Closer Alex Colome gave up hits to both batters he faced. Ian Hamilton, who might’ve made the Opening Day roster if not for an auto accident that delayed the start of his camp, looked close to being ready by pitching one perfect inning.

RELATED

• Keeping Eloy Jimenez on field point of emphasis for White Sox, Jimenez

• White Sox’ Opening Day roster takes shape

A scare for Indians

While their top pitchers were working in minor-league games, a squadron of Sox minor-leaguers held the Indians to three runs. Lefty Sean Nolin, 29, pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts and was on the mound when Jose Ramirez fouled a pitch off his left knee and was taken off on a cart. X-rays were negative.

Engel goes deep

Gold Glove candidate Adam Engel (.245 this spring), who might be on the bench Opening Day if Leury Garcia starts in center field against righty Brad Keller, hit his third homer of the spring. Garcia, who started in center, was 1-for-2, raising his average to .440.

He’s back

Jon Jay (hip) returned to the lineup for the first time in 11 days, played four innings in right field and went 0-for-3.

On deck

Sox at Diamondbacks, Chase Field, 8:40 p.m. Monday, Ervin Santana vs. Luke Weaver.

The Latest
Led by Fridays For Future, hundreds of environmental activists took to the streets to urge President Joe Biden to declare a climate emergency and call for investment in clean energy, sustainable transportation, resilient infrastructure, quality healthcare, clean air, safe water and nutritious food, according to youth speakers.
The two were driving in an alley just before 5 p.m. when several people started shooting from two cars, police said.
The Heat jumped on the Bulls midway through the first quarter and never let go the rest of the night. With this Bulls roster falling short yet again, there is some serious soul-searching to do, starting with free agent DeMar DeRozan.
The statewide voter turnout of 19.07% is the lowest for a presidential primary election since at least 1960, according to Illinois State Board of Elections figures.