Yermin Mercedes’ fourth home run of spring gives White Sox Cactus League tie

SOX 3, REDS 3

Home run No. 4 for Mercedes

Yermin Mercedes, the 5-11, 235-pound, swing-hard-or-don’t-bother-swinging catcher trying to force his way on to the White Sox’ roster as the 26th man, hit his fourth home run of the spring and second in two days. This one, a solo shot against left-hander Cody Reed, tied the score in the ninth inning.

Mercedes, who has no major-league experience, is batting .381 with a 1.410 OPS. He leads the Sox with four Cactus League homers.

Yas, sir

Yasmani Grandal, who served as the designated hitter after catching five innings the day before, homered right-handed against left-hander Amir Garrett and doubled to the gap for the second time in two days.

Madrigal OK

Second baseman Nick Madrigal left the game after diving for a one-hop smash and taking the bounce off his forehead. The Sox said there is no sign of a concussion, just a bruise above his left eyebrow. Madrigal, who is batting .222 this spring, entered as a sub for Leury Garcia and didn’t bat.

A good day for the bullpen

After starter Dylan Cease allowed three runs in three innings, Steve Cishek, Aaron Bummer, Jimmy Cordero, Kelvin Herrera and Evan Marshall combined to pitch six innings of scoreless relief. Herrera struck out three in one inning, Cordero fanned two in 1‰ innings and the only batter to get on against Bummer was Nick Castellanos, who reached on an error by shortstop Tim Anderson, his second of the spring.

On deck

Rangers at Sox, Glendale, 3:05 p.m. Tuesday, whitesox.com, 720-AM, Mike Minor vs. Michael Kopech. Kopech, who will be making his first start in a game since having Tommy John surgery in August 2018, is expected to pitch one inning. Closer Alex Colome, who has allowed seven runs and nine hits — including three homers — in three appearances, also is slated to pitch.