We’re all under the assumption that the White Sox are doing their very best to win these games and that includes the manager trying to put his players in the best positions to succeed, but it sure didn’t look like that was Rick Renteria’s number one priority Thursday night in Cleveland.
After Nomar Mazara singled and drove in two runs with two outs, giving the White Sox a 4-1 lead in the seventh inning it appeared as though Chicago was going to salvage game four of the series finale at Progressive Field. Instead, the White Sox entered the eighth inning trailing 5-4, following a disastrous bottom half of the seventh.
Sometimes you have to be lucky to win and the Indians hit into some against Jimmy Cordero, who allowed three singles, none of which were hit harder than 84mph. But despite getting into a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, Cordero got a force out at home on a grounder to third and got Francisco Lindor to pop up down the left field line for the second out.
But then Rick Renteria went to Carlos Rodón and well that move was immediately questioned.
Hey, Carlos Rodon. You haven't pitched in 7 weeks but how about coming in with the bases loaded?
— Josh Nelson (@soxmachine_josh) September 25, 2020
Rodón came off the injured list on Thursday, last pitching against the Brewers on Aug. 3. As for pitching in relief? He hadn’t done that since 2015, in his rookie season.
The result? As bad as you could imagine.
Can't spell José Ramírez without MVP.#OurTribe pic.twitter.com/nzfCR0Jphj
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) September 25, 2020
So, the thing is, the White Sox also had another pitcher coming off the injured list Thursday, a reliever who is used to getting out of messy situations, Aaron Bummer. But who knows, maybe Renteria wasn’t going to use Bummer at all on Thursday.
But wait, Bummer actually came in to pitch the eighth inning.
Using a starting pitcher to get out of a dirty inning or using your high-leverage reliever? Or just keep Cordero in after he was able to get two quick outs?
Yeah, White Sox fans were pissed and TV analyst Steve Stone couldn’t believe the move either.
Nobody else does either
— Steve Stone (@stevestone) September 25, 2020
Please no profanity but it’s tough to explain
— Steve Stone (@stevestone) September 25, 2020
No answer
— Steve Stone (@stevestone) September 25, 2020
My lips are sealed
— Steve Stone (@stevestone) September 24, 2020
Meanwhile, Renteria said he felt Rodon’s previous experience was the reason he picked him to get out of the seventh.
Renteria said he wanted the single out outing for Rodón, and a full inning of work from Bummer. He felt that Rodón's years of experience as a starter was suitable to prepare him for such a tight situation.
“You guys can put it all on me"
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 25, 2020
The White Sox enter their final series of the season against the Cubs trailing the Twins by one game in the AL Central division. The Indians are one game back of the White Sox.
As of Friday, the White Sox are the fourth seed in the AL for the postseason. The Indians will play three games at home against the Pirates, while the Twins host the Reds in Minnesota for three as well.
