GLENDALE, Ariz. — Cody Thomas and Omar Estevez homered against White Sox right-hander Ian Hamilton in the sixth inning, and Thomas took a home run away from Blake Rutherford with a leaping catch in the Sox’ Cactus League game Monday at Camelback Ranch that ended in a 2-2 tie.
There was no stopping a tape measure home run by Sox Class AAA catcher Yermin Mercedes in the seventh inning, however. Mercedes’ blast landed on the concourse well beyond the left field fence.
Matt Skole tied the game with an RBI double in the ninth (pinch runner Laz Rivera was out at home on the play), Nicky Delmonico was 3-for-3 with two doubles, No. 3 overall draft pick Andrew Vaughn doubled off the center field wall and shortstop Danny Mendick made an over the shoulder catch in short left field to save a run.
Starting right-hander Alex McRae and lefty Adalberto Mejia, both non-roster invitees to spring training, each pitched two scoreless innings for the Sox (1-0-1). McRae retired all six batters he faced and Mejia struck out two.
Mercedes goes way deep
Mercedes, a 5-10, 225-pound catcher whose swings are ordered off the “hard, harder, hardest” menu, connected against Parker Curry and singled in the ninth. A minor league selection in the Rule 5 Draft in 2017, Mercedes batted .310/.386/.647 with 17 homers in 53 games at Class AAA Charlotte. While a long shot, Mercedes could build a case for the final roster spot with a strong spring.
It was there for all to see
This was the first televised Sox spring game on NBCSCH and the last until March 13, when the Sox play the Cubs March 13. Only six games were scheduled on the Sox’ exclusive station (there are 13 webcasts slated on whitesox.com), which has become a griping ground for fans wanting to see what should be an improved team. By luck of the draw, Monday’s televised game featured one player — Edwin Encarnacion — who will likely be in the Opening Day lineup, although first-round draft picks Nick Madrigal, Andrew Vaughn and Zack Collins started. “Hopefully they give them a good show and they are able to feel good about them,” manager Rick Renteria said.
On deck
Giants at Sox (ss), Glendale, 2:05 p.m., Tuesday, whitesox.com, Drew Anderson vs. Kevin Gausman. Sox (ss) at Indians, Goodyear, 2:05 p.m., Tuesday, Bernardo Flores vs. Shane Bieber.
