White Sox walk off Indians on zany play in ninth

Pinch runner Nick Madrigal scored from second on Indians first baseman Yu Chang’s errant throw that bounced off the back of Yasmani Grandal’s helmet and into short left field, allowing the Sox to walk off with a 4-3 victory on Monday night.

Madrigal, running for Yermin Mercedes after Mercedes reached on an infield single against Indians closer Emmanuel Clase with one out in the ninth, advanced to second on Grandal’s walk. When Chang went to second hoping to start a double play on Nick Williams, Grandal’s head got in the way, and Madrigal scampered home with the run that evened the Sox’ record to 5-5.

Adam Eaton hit a three-run homer against Triston McKenzie, his team-leading third of the season, to erase a 2-0 deficit in the third. The Indians tied it in on a sacrifice fly by Franmil Reyes, who also hit a two-run homer.

Dallas Keuchel, slated to pitch Wednesday, stepped up on four days of rest to start in place of Carlos Rodon, who was scratched because of an upset stomach.

Keuchel “was the real hero” for pitching on short notice, manager Tony La Russa said.

“You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes,” Keuchel said. “Very fortunate to get through five.”

After allowing the two-run homer to Reyes in the second inning, Keuchel retired 12 consecutive Indians. When he loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, though, it was right-hander Evan Marshall to the rescue.

Marshall struck out Jose Ramirez and kept the damage to a run on Reyes’ sacrifice fly.

Keuchel allowed three runs in five-plus innings, throwing only 68 pitches. He struck out two and walked two. Codi Heuer struck out a career-high four in a career-high 2⅓ innings.

Rotation plans

The Sox’ day off Friday and rainout Saturday gave the rotation two extra days of rest and made the move to Keuchel almost seamless, although Keuchel threw a bullpen session Sunday. Lucas Giolito will start Tuesday on six days of rest in his regularly scheduled turn. Rodon and Lance Lynn are possible for Wednesday and Thursday.

Rodon’s stomach issue was not related to the coronavirus vaccine.

De-fense!

Fielding had been an issue in the first nine games, but it kept the Sox in this game early. Center fielder Luis Robert made a running catch to the wall on Cesar Hernandez’s deep drive, and a charging Yoan Moncada at third made two good plays behind Keuchel.

Anderson expected back Thursday

Shortstop Tim Anderson is expected to come off the injured list Thursday, the first day he’s eligible, La Russa said, and start in the series finale against the Indians.

Anderson ran at full speed Monday.

Sage advice for Hendriks

After blowing a save Sunday, closer Liam Hendriks realized he wasn’t getting enough extension toward the plate with his delivery. He also called his tarot-card reader, who advised him not to worry about living up to expectations.

“She’s sending me some bracelets and some crystals and stuff like that now to kind of figure out my locker a little bit,” Hendriks said. “I saged my locker. I saged a couple of other guys on the team who were a little bit more open to it.”

Hendriks said Rubi Rios, whom he encountered while playing for the Athletics, helps him keep his mind right.

“Whatever the pieces are of his puzzle, I’m all for it,” La Russa said.