3 series takeaways after Andrew Benintendi helps the Chicago White Sox avoid a sweep in New York
NEW YORK — The Chicago White Sox went a combined 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series against the New York Mets.
They were in position to cash in early Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field after a Miguel Vargas double gave them runners on second and third with one out in the first inning. Left fielder Andrew Benintendi came through, driving in two runs with a single.
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'That was huge, set the tone for us,' manager Will Venable said.
The Sox carried that momentum to a 9-4 victory in front of 34,021.
The Sox went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position to salvage the finale of the three-game series.
'We've been missing that big hit with runners in scoring position, guys continue to battle and it paid off for (Benintendi) and the group today,' Venable said.
Here are three takeaways from the series at Citi Field.
1. There was production up and down the lineup Wednesday.
The series began for the Sox with strong pitching from Adrian Houser, who allowed three hits in six-plus scoreless innings on Monday.
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The offense was the story in the series finale. The Sox collected 12 hits, including three each by Benintendi and Lenyn Sosa.
Benintendi had the two-run single in the first, an RBI triple in the sixth and a solo home run in the eighth.
'It was good to get a lead early and keep scoring throughout the game,' Benintendi said. 'There have been times when we've scored early and kind of left it at that. So to keep the pressure on, especially against a team like (the Mets), was nice to see.'
Mike Tauchman had two hits, including a two-out, two-run double in the second to extend the Sox lead to 4-0.
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'That's a team that's got World Series aspirations over there,' Tauchman said. 'Thought we played them tight all three days. So getting that win today feels good on a getaway day. Little weird with the rain and pushing the time up (to 12:10 p.m. CT from the scheduled 6:10 p.m. because of impending weather). That was a great day offensively for us.
'It's nice when you know the plan comes together and you get some runs early and just continue to add, that was a great offensive performance today.'
All nine batters in the Sox lineup reached base either via a hit or a walk. It's the fifth time the Sox (18-38) have scored at least nine runs in a game this season.
The Sox had a productive day despite missing Luis Robert Jr., who did not start for the second consecutive game as a precaution because of right knee soreness. The Sox anticipate Robert will be back in the lineup Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.
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Outfielder Joshua Palacios was a late scratch Wednesday because he was feeling ill.
2. The bullpen provided a lift Wednesday.
Sox starter Shane Smith was an out away from escaping a third-inning jam.
But Mark Vientos drove a 94-mph fastball the opposite way for a three-run home run to right field, cutting the Sox's lead to 5-3.
The Mets had the tying run at the plate in the fourth when the Sox called on Brandon Eisert. The lefty retired Brandon Nimmo on a flyball to Benintendi to end the threat.
Eisert pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out two. Mike Vasil followed with three scoreless innings, striking out five.
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'Huge,' Smith said of the bullpen. 'Especially Eisert picking me up after I have a short outing.'
Smith allowed three runs on two hits with five strikeouts and five walks in 3 2/3 innings.
'To pick us up is huge,' Smith said. 'And Mike to face his former team, really happy for him and he threw really well.'
The Mets initially selected Vasil in the eighth round of the 2021 draft.
The bullpen did take a hit in the ninth when Miguel Castro exited the game with right knee soreness. He suffered the injury while covering first base. Castro is being evaluated.
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'You just don't want to see any of your guys go down like that, obviously in a lot of pain there,' Venable said. 'Hopefully he comes out on the right side of this thing.'
3. Vargas has been a doubles machine.
A first-inning double Wednesday continued Vargas' impressive extra-base-hit spurt.
He has doubled in each of his last five games, the first big-leaguer with such a streak since Paul Goldschmidt did it in six consecutive from Aug. 29-Sept. 3, 2024.
Vargas is the first Sox player to accomplish the feat since Adam Dunn, who reached that mark May 7-11, 2011.
'Been the same thing for a while from him where he's really controlling the zone, getting off good swings and hitting the ball hard,' Venable said. 'Just another good day in a long line of good days for Miguel.'
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Vargas had two hits in Tuesday's 6-4 loss, including a two-run home run to go along with an RBI double. After that game, Vargas said he wants to keep being more consistent with his approach.
'They are pitching me differently now than they did before,' Vargas said, 'so I have to make the adjustments and be consistent with it.'
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