Most pitchers don’t have the fortitude or strength for a 117 pitch outing. Lance Lynn is one of the few pitchers capable of such a feat. How does he know he able to do it?

I’m a big bastard, that’s how I know,” Lynn said after the game. “I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

Workhorse Start

Lynn has indeed been a workhorse for a long time. That is one of the reasons the White Sox acquired him. In 2020 he led the American League in innings pitched and starts. He has thrown 200-plus innings three times in his career and 30-plus starts five times.

After having his last start cut short due to rain, Lynn had a little extra left in the tank. The White Sox needed every bit of it from the big right-hander. After jumping to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning the White Sox bats were held silent for the next five innings.

Lynn had to gut his way through six innings to preserve the lead. He struck out nine Tigers hitters with 16 whiffs and allowed one run on four hits. Lynn did have to work his way out of a couple of jams after issuing a season-high five walks. All the strikeouts and walks racked up a ton of pitches. But Lynn was determined to make it through six innings and record a quality start.

😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/hzeLzWeNcg

— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) July 3, 2021

His 117th pitch of the night was the most important of the ballgame. The White Sox were clinging to a one-run lead with the tying run at second base. The White Sox intentionally walked Willi Castro on a 3-0 count to get to right-handed catcher Jake Rodgers. Lynn battled in a six-pitch at-bat and forced a 2-2 count. He ended the at-bat by reaching back and uncorking a 94 mph four-seam fastball past Rodgers for strike three.

Lance Lynn tamed the Tigers tonight, with 9️⃣ Ks in 6️⃣ IP.#CarrytheFreight x #ChangetheGame pic.twitter.com/RU9OvpnODN

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 3, 2021

Vaughn’s Game Saving Defense

This was made possible because of Andrew Vaughn’s game-saving catch in left field. Jemier Candelario had walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch when Daz Cameron laced a line drive to left field. It looked as if he had a game-tying hit but Vaughn raced towards the line and extended head first to make a diving catch. An inning earlier Vaughn also made a leaping catch at the wall to potentially take away a home run.

Vaughn also helped Lynn at the plate by adding an insurance run with a solo home run to open the ninth inning. That homer would provide a spark for the rest of the offense. Danny Mendick hit an RBI single, followed by a three-run homer from Gavin Sheets, who has suddenly emerged as an offensive force since being called up. Sheets has recorded a hit and an RBI in each of his first four games. He also has two home runs in his last three games.

Burger’s Debut Worth The Wait

The real story of the game was Jake Burger. Burger made his MLB debut. It is an inspiring story for a man that had to recover from two Achilles injuries. Burger did not disappoint going 2-for-4 with a run scored. The first hit of his career was a memorable one, he skied a routine popup to center field. But Daz Cameron lost it in the lights and fell behind him. Burger hustled into second on the play. While it was not the most glamourous of hits, it was definitely a memorable one.

We'll have a Burger, and make it a double. pic.twitter.com/TMNCopwWt4

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 3, 2021

An emotional Jake Burger spoke to Jason Benetti after the game.

"Why didn't you quit?"

"My parents told me 'don't regret anything in life,' and if you quit, you're gonna regret it. …They were right."

Jake Burger, man. No words. pic.twitter.com/jlq3oh6ypw

— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) July 3, 2021

“You know the last three years I definitely thought about quitting a couple of times. It just means a lot to me and my family is here, it means more to them. I’m happy I could do this for them and it’s just… you know I can’t put words at it.”

When asked why he didn’t quit he said:

“My parents told me ‘don’t regret anything in life’ and if you quit you’re going to regret it…They were right.”