Sox drop ball in finale, but still riding high after series win

CHICAGO -- The White Sox had a solid series against the American League Central-leading Twins, taking two of three games played at Guaranteed Rate Field.

But it could have been better. In fact, there were countless opportunities for Chicago to finish off a sweep Thursday afternoon in what turned out to be a 7-3 loss in 12 innings. Minnesota scored the go-ahead run via a Tim Anderson fielding error during a five-run 12th, with Alex Colomé allowing three runs (one earned) and Sammy Peralta yielding two in his Major League debut.

“He was going to third base, which was good,” said White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, of Anderson’s fielding miscue on Jose Miranda’s grounder that allowed Trevor Larnach to score from second despite sliding headfirst into third as the ball rolled through. “That last hop, the ball just kind of top-spinned right at him.

“That was the correct mindset there, get the out at third base. I thought he reacted well, but the ball just took a top spin.”

Anderson originally had the day off after coming off the injured list for Tuesday night’s series opener, but he still finished with three at-bats. The teams combined to use 13 pitchers and collect 29 strikeouts, as starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Pablo López showed the way from the outset.

Great mound work was a contributing factor to the teams' abysmal performance with runners in scoring position. The White Sox finished 1-for-16 with a season-high 14 left on base, while the Twins were 2-for-13 with 10 stranded.

“We had some good hitters at the plate. Just one of those days, man,” Grifol said. “I thought they were prepared to go hit, but it was just one of those days. It didn't happen.”

“Today was a tough one,” said White Sox third baseman Hanser Alberto, who moved to first base later in the game. “We had so many chances to win the game, and we didn’t do it.”

Alberto was involved in the strangest missed scoring opportunity by the White Sox. With the bases loaded and one out in the 10th, he was hit in the right forearm by a 1-2 pitch from reliever Brock Stewart.

He also clearly swung at the pitch, which shows up on Statcast as basically on top of him, meaning it became the second out instead of forcing home the game-winning run. Elvis Andrus then struck out to end that inning.

“I didn't mean to swing,” said a smiling Alberto. “I know it was a fastball, because after two sliders, I said, ‘OK, maybe fastball coming,’ and I was ready. I meant to get away, but I didn’t know how to get away.

“The ball got right on me, but it’s part of the game. It’s tough. It was a reflex. Should be a hit-by-pitch and win the ballgame right there.”

Billy Hamilton, who was called up from Triple-A Charlotte among 11 pregame roster moves Tuesday, provided the speed Chicago desired to win on Thursday. He pinch-ran for Andrew Vaughn after Vaughn drew a leadoff walk against Jhoan Duran in the eighth, swiped second and then raced to third with nobody out on a wild pitch.

Hamilton never moved from third. Eloy Jiménez -- who had three hits, three RBIs and a home run in the loss -- grounded out to shortstop Carlos Correa with the infield in. Anderson, pinch-hitting for Adam Haseley, grounded out to Miranda at third, and after an intentional walk was issued to Luis Robert Jr., Alberto grounded out to Correa.

Scoring chances were there in the ninth, 10th and 11th. Hamilton popped out on a bunt attempt (ninth) and struck out (11th) to thwart two of those moments.

A lost bid for a sweep, but not a lost week.

“This series was definitely a step in the right direction,” said Giolito, who struck out seven and allowed one run on two hits and three walks in seven innings. “I would have liked to have had this game. I felt like we were right there.

“It always stings a little bit when you lose one like this. I like to see us winning a series. I want to see a lot more of that. Maybe mix in some sweeps and then we're right back in it. I like the trajectory we're on. I like where the clubhouse is at. We're having fun. It's just a matter of continuing to put those things together."