Michael Kopech needed just nine pitches to retire the side in the top of the ninth inning on Wednesday, lifting the Chicago White Sox over the Minnesota Twins.
Michael Kopech has gone through an up-and-down season out of the Chicago White Sox's bullpen this season, but he certainly had the right stuff against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.
Chicago was up 3-1 in the top of the ninth inning when manager Pedro Grifol called Kopech's number. The White Sox were clinging onto a lead thanks to Luis Robert Jr.'s two-run home run in the sixth, setting Kopech up for a save opportunity.Matt Wallner was up next. He also struck out on three pitches.That made it three strikeouts on nine pitches for Kopech in the ninth. So not only did he record the save, but he also did so by tossing the rare immaculate inning.
Kopech is now 2-8 on the season with a 5.18 ERA, 1.425 WHIP, nine saves, five blown saves, one hold and 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The righty thrived as a reliever back in 2021, coming off Tommy John surgery and a COVID-19 opt-out, but he was soon moved into the starting rotation. After posting a 3.54 ERA across 25 starts in 2022, Kopech put up a 5.12 ERA across 27 starts in 2023, leading Chicago to shift him back into the bullpen.
Kopech's season-long numbers haven't exactly been up to snuff, but his increased velocity and the heights he reached Wednesday show that he can be an effective closer in the right moments.Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Have Cubs Become The Worst Baseball Team In Chicago?The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are in a race to the bottom.
Read more »
White Sox Budding Ace Is 'Top Trade Target;' Will Red Sox Join Sweepstakes?How will the Boston Red Sox handle the upcoming Major League Baseball trade deadline? Adding a starter makes sense.
Read more »
White Sox 'Intend To Trade' 25-Year-Old Ace; Red Sox Could Make Blockbuster MoveThe Boston Red Sox are starting to see their starting rotation take a step back and could use the Chicago White Sox's ace.
Read more »
Photos: Chicago White Sox 5, Colorado Rockies 3Photos from the Chicago White Sox’s 5-3 victory against the Colorado Rockies on June 28, 2024, at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Read more »
Photos: Chicago White Sox lose to Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0Photos from the Chicago White Sox’s 4-0 loss to Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 26, 2024, at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Read more »
Chicago White Sox: 3 numbers to quantify the historically bad 2024 seasonThe Chicago White Sox have been shut out 11 times, just one of the rough numbers in a season that is off to a historically bad start.
Read more »