PHILADELPHIA — The White Sox’ woefully scuffling lineup almost plummeted to another level of futility against Phillies no-hit-bidding right-hander Zack Wheeler on Saturday night.
It has been bad enough for the Sox, who broke through for five runs against reliever Ricardo Pinto in the ninth inning to avoid a record eighth shutout in 20 games in a 9-5 loss.
They have catcher Korey Lee to thank for breaking up Wheeler’s no-hitter with a bouncing single past diving first baseman Bryce Harper with one out in the eighth.
“Everyone knew the no-hitter was going on, so obviously try to break it up,” Lee said. “Find any way to get on and get a rally going.”
There was no rally, but Lee’s two-run double keyed a ninth inning that forced Phillies manager Rob Thomson to bring in closer Jose Alvarado to face Andrew Benintendi with the bases full. Benintendi grounded out on Alvarado’s only pitch to end the game, dropping the Sox to 3-17 and continuing their worst start in club history.
It’s to the point where moral victories are better than nothing, and that’s what manager Pedro Grifol gravitated to.
“We just strung some good at-bats together,” Grifol said. “It’s going to happen at some point.
“Let’s get out here [Sunday against Aaron Nola] and hopefully keep the same momentum we had here in the ninth inning and see what happens.”
Nola, though, is more than capable of producing another no-hit bid, which is becoming the norm for the Sox in Philly, where they were no-hit for 6„ innings by Spencer Turnbull in a 7-0 loss Friday. Phillies starters have pitched 31‰ consecutive scoreless innings, the longest for the team since 1969.
On Saturday, the Sox did not hit a ball out of the infield until Brad Shewmake flied out to right field in the sixth.
Wheeler (1-3), who chose the Phillies over the Sox in free agency in 2019 when he signed a five-year, $118 million contract, exited after Lee’s single with 106 pitches, two walks and eight strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 2.30.
The Phillies scored three in the second against Michael Soroka, two on Brandon Marsh’s home run. Soroka (7.50 ERA) allowed five runs in 4‰ innings.
Nastrini’s second start Sunday
As thrilled as Nick Nastrini and the organization were about his and Jonathan Cannon’s five-inning debuts against the Royals on Monday and Wednesday, Nastrini said he quickly turned the page after soaking it all in.
“We’re struggling a little bit right now,” Nastrini said. “We want to keep this team in ballgames. That’s what we’re being paid to do. We’re staying in the present. It was a great day. But I’m looking at who’s next.”
Pham plan
Outfielder Tommy Pham took another step closer to joining the team by starting his ramp-up at Triple-A Charlotte. Pham, 36, must be added to the major-league roster by April 25, or he can request his release.
“We’ll see” how many games he needs, Grifol said. “It’s not just at-bats, it’s building up work capacity, building up being on his feet nine innings. The whole thing.”
Grifol said he can play Pham at all three outfield spots.
This and that
Paul DeJong has a bruised left elbow after being hit by a pitch from Wheeler in the sixth. He left in the seventh and might not play Sunday, Grifol said.
• Right-hander Josimar Cousin, who was designated for assignment Tuesday, cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Double-A Birmingham.
• Danny Mendick hit his eighth homer, connecting in his fifth consecutive game, for Charlotte.
