If you only look at the box score of Thursday’s 2-1, 13-inning loss by the Chicago White Sox against the Minnesota Twins, then all your anger is probably directed at pitcher Hector Santiago. After all, he did walk in the eventual game-winning run after getting two outs. Yet, Santiago was probably equally pissed when Charlie Tilson couldn’t catch a ball in left-center.
Not only was it a play that Tilson should have made, but if he had it would have ended the inning. It went down as a double for Logan Morrison, but a ball that glances off your glove needs to be caught. Yes, it was a long run for Tilson, but these are the plays you have to make.
After an intentional walk, Santiago walked two more batters, including the go-ahead run. Santiago was pretty upset during the whole thing, probably mostly at himself for all of a sudden losing command of the strike zone, yet in the back of his mind he knew the inning should have been over.
Tilson did have a shot at redemption in the bottom of the 13th, as Kevan Smith singled and stole second base. With two outs, Tilson stepped up to the plate, but grounded out to shortstop to end the game.
p.s.
Get your mind out of the gutter.
