Live-Blogging: Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros 06/18/2021

MLB: Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros 06/18/2021

​Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is an American League Showdown, between Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.
 
This is the 2nd Game of a 4-game series. Astros took the first game. They would like to continue their 4-game winning streak, as they are 2 GB Oakland Athletics.
 
For the White Sox, they are trying to stay in front of the American League Central. And they cannot wait for Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert to return from their injury.
 
Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are left-hander Carlos Rodon for the White Sox. And right-hander Luis Garcia for the Astros. Rodon comes in with a strikeout/walk ratio of 5.71, while having a pitches/plate appearance of 4.22. As for Garcia, he comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.60 and P/PA of 4.11.
 
It is Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros, coming up shortly.
 
Starting Lineups:
 
Chicago White Sox:

1. Tim Anderson, SS
2. Brian Goodwin, CF
3. Yoán Moncada, 3B
4. José Abreu, 1B
5. Yasmani Grandal, DH
6. Jake Lamb, RF
7. Andrew Vaughn, LF
8. Zack Collins, C
9. Danny Mendick, P

 
Houston Astros:

1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Chas McCormick, RF
3. Michael Brantley, LF
4. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
5. Yordan Alvarez, DH
6. Carlos Correa, SS
7. Abraham Toro, 3B
8. Myles Straw, CF
9. Martín Maldonado, C

White Sox are in their traveling gray uniforms, black caps with 'Sox' on the cap. While the Astros are in their alternate orange jerseys, white pants, and navy caps with orange star and white 'H' on the cap.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Anderson 
2. Goodwin
3. Moncada
Luis Garcia (RHP) now starting as Astros Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
​First Pitch around 7:11 pm CDT.
Anderson grounds out to Toro (6 pitches). 1 out.
Goodwin doubles down the right field line (3 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Moncada singles to center field (4 pitches). Goodwin advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
RBI-SINGLE: Abreu hits an RBI-Single to right field (2 pitches). Goodwin scores. Moncada advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. CHW 1, HOU 0
Grandal strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Lamb grounds out to Altuve (5 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 1st Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve
2. McComerick
3. Brantley
Carlos Rodon (LHP) now starting as White Sox Pitcher.
This Past Monday ​On My Personal Website,  I Live-Blogged Rays 5-2 Victory Over White Sox
Altuve strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
McCormick pops out to Anderson (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Astros Broadcast Found Rodon's spike in fastball velocity interesting.
Brantley grounds out to Moncada (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 1st Inning.

End of 1st Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Vaughn
8. Collins
9. Mendick
Garcia currently at 26 pitches.
Vaughn gets called out on strikes (3 pitches). 1 out.
Collins singles to center field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
With Mendick at-bat, Collins gets caught stealing by Maldonado. Maldonado to Altuve on the putout. 2 outs.
Mendick with a 2-out walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st. 
Anderson with a 2-out single to left field (1 pitch). Mendick advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Goodwin grounds out to Altuve (2 pitches). 3 outs.
​White Sox strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Gurriel
5. Alvarez
6. Correra 
Rodon currently at 9 pitches.
Gurriel strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
Alvarez grounds out to Mendick (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Correa grounds out to Moncada (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
3. Moncada, 1-1
4. Abreu, 1-1, RBI
5. Grandal, 0-1
Garcia currently at 39 pitches.
​Moncada flies out to Straw (2 pitches). 1 out.
Golden Knights and Canadiens are Scoreless in 1st Period 
Abreu strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Grandal draws a 2-out walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Lamb with a 2-out single to right field (2 pitches). Grandal moves to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Vaughn lines out to Brantley (2 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox strand another pair of base runnners.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Bottom  of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Toro
8. Straw
9. Maldonado
Rodon currently at 20 pitches.
​Toro pops out to Abreu (4 pitches). 1 out.
Straw strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 2 outs.
Maldonado flies out to Goodwin (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

End of 3rd Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Collins, 1-1
9. Mendick, 0-0
1. Anderson, 1-2
Garcia currently at 53 pitches.
MLB Scores:
​Collins gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 1 out.
Mendick flies out to Straw (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Anderson flies out to McComerick (5 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.

Middle of 4th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve, 0-1
2. McCormick, 0-1
3. Brantley, 0-1
Rodon currently at 33 pitches.
Altuve pops out to Abreu (3 pitches). 1 out.
McCormick strikes out swinging (9 pitches). 2 outs.
Brantley fouls out to Collins (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.

End of 4th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Goodwin, 1-2
3. Moncada, 1-2
4. Abreu, 1-2, RBI
Garcia currenlty at 63 pitches.
​Goodwin strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Moncada grounds out to Gurriel, unassisted (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Abreu fouls out to Maldonado (2 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 0

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Gurriel, 0-1
5. Alvarez, 0-1
6. Correra, 0-1
Rodon currently at 46 pitches.
​Sixers Leading Hawks 80-76, After 3rd Quarter 
Gurriel pops out to Vaughn (3 pitches).  1 out.
Alvarez breaks up the perfect game, with a single to left field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Correa draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Alvarez moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
White Sox will not face the minimum batters allowed.
WHITE SOX MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: CHW 4, HOU 5
Toro hits a bases loaded single (3 pitches).
WHITE SOX MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: CHW 3, HOU 5
Straw gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Maldonado draws an RBI-Walk (4 pitches). Alvarez scores. Correa and Toro move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. CHW 1, HOU 1
Altuve strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros score a run, but strand the bases loaded.

End of 5th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Grandal, 0-1
6. Lamb, 1-2
7. Vaughn, 0-2
Garcia currently at 71 pitches.
​Grandal fouls out to Maldonado (4 pitches). 1 out.
Lamb strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Vaughn hits a 2-out double down right field line (2 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
White Sox Training Staff looking at Vaughn, as the ball hit him in the face on the bounce.
Collins strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox strand their 7th runner in the Game.

Middle of 6th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
2. McCormick, 0-2
3. Brantley, 0-2
4. Gurriel, 0-2
Rodon currently at 76 pitches.
​Last Monday, I Live-Blogged Reds 10-2 Victory Over Brewers 
McCormick grounds out to Anderson (2 pitches). 1 out.
Brantley strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Gurriel pops out to Goodwin (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

End of 6th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Mendick, 0-1
1. Anderson, 1-3
2. Goodwin, 1-3
Garcia currently at 86 pitches.
MLB Scores:
​Brooks Raley (LHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Mendick fouls out to Gurriel (4 pitches). 1 out.
Anderson grounds out to Correa (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Goodwin strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Alvarez, 1-2
6. Correa, 0-1
7. Toro, 1-2
Rodon currently at 87 pitches.
​Ryne Stanek (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Alvarez hits a lead-off single (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Codi Heuer (RHP) warming up in White Sox Bullpen.
Correa strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Toro draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Alvarez moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
WHITE SOX MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: CHW 2, HOU 5
DOUBLE PLAY: Straw grounds into 6-4-3 double play (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

End of 7th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Moncada, 1-3
4. Abreu, 1-3, RBI
5. Grandal, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryne Stanek (RHP) replaces Luis Garcia, as Astros Pitcher.
​Moncada flies out to Brantley (4 pitches). 1 out.
The Fans at Minute Maid Park are doing the wave. 
Abreu draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: CHW 2, HOU 4
Grandal gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Lamb strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
White Sox strand a base runner, in their half of 8th Inning.

Middle of 8th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Maldonado, 0-1, RBI
1. Altuve, 0-3
2. McCormick, 0-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Codi Heuer (RHP) replaces Carlos Rodon, as White Sox Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Adam Engel replaces Andrew Vaughn at left field.
​Miami Restaurant Owner Turns To 'Astro' A Robot Server 
Maldonado strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 1 out.
Altuve flies out to Anderson (5 pitches). 2 outs.
McCormick strikes out swinging (). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.

End of 8th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Engel
8. Collins, 1-3
9. Mendick, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Pressly (RHP) replaces Ryne Stanek, as Astros Pitcher.
​Astros Play-by-Play Man Todd Kalas reporting Adam Engel replaced Andrew Vaughn, due to a contusion on the face of the White Sox Starting Left Fielder in the Top of 6th Inning.
Engel strikes out on a foul tip by Maldonado (5 pitches). 1 out.
Collins strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Garrett Crochet (LHP) warming up in White Sox Bullpen.
Mendick strikes out swinging (4 pitches). Mendick will be the runner on 2nd, if this game heads to extra innings. 3 outs.
White Sox go down 1-2-3, in their half of 9th Inning.

Middle of 9th Inning:
CHW 1, HOU 1

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Brantley, 0-3
4. Gurriel, 0-3
5. Alvarez, 2-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Garrett Crochet (LHP) replaces Codi Heuer, as White Sox Pitcher.
​If the Astros are going to win tonight, it is this inning. Because the White Sox will have Mendick at 2nd and  Tim Anderson leading off the Top of 10th Inning.
Brantley lines out to Lamb (5 pitches). 1 out.
Gurriel singles to center field (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
WALK-OFF-DOUBLE: Yordan Alvarez hits a walk-off double, scoring Yuri Gurriel to end the Game. CHW 1, HOU 2

Final:
CHW 1, HOU 2
CHW: (43-27)
HOU: (41-28)
W: Pressly (4-1)
L: Crochet (2-3)
PoG: Yordan Alvarez (HOU) 3-4, Walk-Off-2B, RBI, R
ToG: 2:46

Final Thoughts:
A pitcher's dual in Houston.  White Sox outhit Astros 7-5, but stranded 8 to Houston's 5.

Yordan Alvarez broke up Rodon's perfect game bid in the Bottom of 5th Inning. And he ended the night, with a  walk-off double, scoring Yuli Gurriel. 

Same two teams tomorrow night. It is one of the game on Fox's 'Baseball Night in America'. As Lance Lynn will start for the White Sox. He will take on left-hander Framber Valdez. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.