Pirates Drop White Sox 4-1 in Marco Gonzales’ Return

The Pirates took game one of their series with the Chicago White Sox, prevailing 4-1 in Marco Gonzales’ first start since mid-April. Beyond Gonzales’ steady approach, Pittsburgh (46-48) capitalized on key miscues from the White Sox, the worst team in MLB by far this season.

Gonzales powered through five innings on just 60 pitches, working through traffic consistently. The veteran left-hander allowed seven hits but just one run scored, as he induced two double plays and fanned four batters with his changeup.

Chicago manager Pedro Grifol gave starter Garrett Crochet the hook after just six batters faced. The team’s lone All-Star, Crochet struck out four Pirates across two perfect frames, making the decision to pull him even more baffling. While the White Sox took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a Luis Robert Jr. single that scored Tommy Pham, Pittsburgh (46-48) jumped all over Grifol’s gaffe, tagging piggyback pitcher Jonathan Cannon for four runs in relief.

The Pirates’ offense started to turn things around in the fifth inning, when their first three batters reached. Ke’Bryan Hayes singled, taking third base on a Joey Bart walk in which White Sox’ catcher Korey Lee inexplicably threw down despite the stoppage. A Jared Triolo single knotted the game at one, then a Michael A. Taylor sacrifice fly put Pittsburgh ahead.

Two more runs crossed in the sixth inning. Nick Gonzales doubled Connor Joe home, then scored himself on another single from Hayes.

The Pirates’ bullpen put the victory on ice. Carmen Mlodzinski fired two perfect innings in relief before Colin Holderman set up the save. He continued to struggle, allowing a single and a walk, but managed to force another double play to escape.

David Bednar entered to close things out, retiring the side in his first appearance since June 19.