The Chicago White Sox made a late rally to secure an 8-4 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second game of a three-game series on Wednesday.
“It’s very frustrating and they got to be better,” said Dodgers general manager Dave Roberts.
During the matchup, the Dodgers celebrated Juneteenth with their Black Heritage Night. The Compton Kidz Club performed before and during the game as well as sang the Black National Anthem. Dodgers alum Dennis Powell signed autographs and DJ Mal Ski played music in Center Field Plaza prior to the game.
“You play for Jackie Robinson, play for 42, you put that on your back and you want to go out there and do your job,” said Pitcher Yency Almonte.
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Coincidentally, 44,442 people were in attendance for Black Heritage Night.
Brotherhood Crusade student Troy Walker sent out the honorary first pitch with Dodgers star Mookie Betts to catch. “Air” and “Friday” star Chris Tucker sent out the ceremonial first pitch to outfielder Jason Heyward.
Clayton Kershaw was the starting pitcher for the matchup. In the six innings he pitched, he struck out five batters but allowed six hits and two home runs.
“Bottom line, six innings, two runs on a day that a lot of stuff wasn’t going right, I’ll take it overall,” Kershaw said. “Had some bad walks, gave up some hits gave up a couple homers so there’s a lot of things that need to be cleaned up.”
White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger suffered an injury during the fourth inning and was replaced by Gregory Santos. The boys in blue did not score until the sixth inning when Jason Heyward scored an RBI single.
Two batters later, Austin Barnes made a 2RBI. Betts batted in two more runners, giving the Dodgers a 4-2 advantage.
Almonte took the mound after Kershaw, but allowed a two-run homer by Jake Burger and an RBI single by Clint Frazier. Alex Vesia replaced Almonte but allowed his third batter to score an RBI.
While the Dodgers struggled to make hits, the White Sox were able to reach bases in the ninth inning. RBI’s from designated hitter Eloy Jiménez and Andrew Benintendi would guarantee Chicago’s victory.
The Dodgers battle the White Sox on Friday and then take on their rivals, the San Francisco Giants, on June 16-18.
