CLEVELAND – White Sox left fielder Eloy Jimenez was almost a hero a second straight night.
Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado took that away from him with “one of the greatest catches I’ve ever seen,” Sox manager Rick Renteria said.
With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning and the Indians, fighting for a playoff berth, protecting a two-run lead, Mercado ran back and to his right and laid out to snare Jimenez’ 111-mph drive that would have probably scored three runs.
All three runners, including Jose Abreu on third base, were sure the drive was headed to the wall and didn’t tag up. Pinch hitter Ryan Goins then struck out against righty Nick Wittgren to hand the Sox (61-78) an 8-6 defeat, their eighth in nine games.
Tim Anderson homered in the ninth, a two-run shot to cap a three-hit day that also included a double. No ball was hit harder than the drive by Jimenez, who doubled and singled for his sixth multihit game in his last seven.
“I don’t know where he come from,” said Jimenez, who tipped his helmet to Mercado.
“I started laughing because I never expect him to catch that ball, but it’s OK. I wasn’t heartbroken because when you see that kind of play, as a player, I just tip my cap because it was a good play and good moment.”
Jimenez, who leads AL rookies with 24 homers, doubled and homered twice in the Sox’ 6-5 win over the Indians Tuesday.
Renteria said Abreu and Yoan Moncada could have tagged up.
”Would’ve given us a run, got us one closer,” Renteria said. “That wasn’t the game. The game was that catch.”
Anderson keeps on rolling
Anderson is batting .375 in his last 20 games, raising his average to .331. His 52 hits since Aug. 1 lead the majors. The homer, his 15th, was one of four Sox hits with two strikes in the ninth against lefty Brad Hand.
“A lot of fight in here,” Anderson said. “We competed every inning tonight, put together some good ABs [in the ninth] and gave ourselves a chance but fell short.”
This and that
Abreu tied Ray Schalk for 13th place in Sox history with 594 RBI. His home run snapped an 0-for-12 streak.
*Ivan Nova allowed a season high tying 11 hits. He allowed 11 batted balls in play that registered an exit velocity of 100 mph or more, the most he’s allowed in a start this season per Statcast.
*September call-up Dylan Covey moves into the rotation spot previously held by lefty Ross Detwiler Saturday against the Angels. Lucas Giolito starts Friday and Dylan Cease Sunday.
*The Sox rank last in the majors with 324 walks. Yolmer Sanchez (38) and Yoan Moncada (38) lead the team in walks through Tuesday. Leadoff man Garcia and second-place hitter Anderson are aggressive hitters with only 19 and 11, respectively.
*Class AAA Charlotte catcher Yermin Mercedes and Class A Winston-Salem right-hander Jonathan Stiever were named Sox Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for August/September as voted by Chicago-area media. Mercedes, 26, batted .317/.419/.646 with seven home runs, 28 RBI and a 1.065 OPS over 24 games. Stiever, 22, went 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA, 26 strikeouts and a 1.15 WHIP over five starts.
