Lenyn Sosa anticipated a fastball.
But when Kansas City Royals starter Jonathan Heasley threw him a curveball on a 1-1 pitch within the third inning Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium, Sosa rapidly reacted.
The outcome: a 428-foot house run, the primary of his major-league profession.
The Chicago White Sox recalled the infielder from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday, and he had two hits throughout his first motion since returning in Game 2 of Tuesday’s doubleheader, serving to the Sox to a 3-2 victory.
“Since the moment they told me I was coming here, I was really focused on doing everything in my power to help this team,” Sosa stated by means of an interpreter after the sport. “(Tuesday) was one of those days. That’s what I’m planning to do — try to help this team as much as I can.”
The Sox will want the contributions as they attempt to navigate the subsequent few weeks with out shortstop Tim Anderson. The two-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured listing Tuesday with a sagittal band tear on the center finger of his left hand. He will bear surgical procedure Thursday and is anticipated to overlook about six weeks.
Sosa performed second base Tuesday and began at shortstop Wednesday towards the Royals. He additionally has expertise within the minors at third base.
“Between those three positions, my favorite is shortstop,” Sosa stated. “I’m going to do my best at whatever position they ask me to play.”
Sosa’s homer went to left-center, his single within the fifth went to heart and he lined out to proper within the seventh. Sox supervisor Tony La Russa stated the sport served for example of what made Sosa so profitable within the minors.
“The reports we were getting when he was playing in the minor leagues, that’s how he was hitting .300, using all fields,” La Russa stated. “Very spectacular. Anybody that hits a house run and will get successful and injects vitality in our membership, as a result of we’re on the lookout for runs, the truth that he will get referred to as up in a troublesome state of affairs and produces, that’s extra spectacular.
“Anybody who does something like he did is going to help our club. Can’t give him enough credit. But that’s exactly how he was described from all the guys who have been watching him.”
Sosa mixed to hit .316/.367/.512 (110-348) with 16 doubles, two triples, 16 house runs, 58 RBIs and 57 runs in 85 video games this season with Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte. He appeared in 4 video games with the Sox from June 23-27, going 1-for-12 with a double and two runs.
“For my first experience (in the majors) I learned that you have to be patient here and I learned to execute,” Sosa stated. “You can’t let mistakes happen. “ou have to be ready to take advantage of every single mistake. You can’t let those pitches in the middle just land there. You have to do some damage.”
After enjoying second in every of his appearances throughout his first stint with the Sox, Sosa made his first big-league begin at shortstop Wednesday. Leury García, who’s slashing .211/.237/.274 in 79 video games, began at brief in each video games of Tuesday’s doubleheader. La Russa talked about Garcia has been coping with hip and again soreness.
“We’re going to watch it closely,” La Russa stated earlier than Wednesday’s recreation. “He was getting remedy (Wednesday). I’m pondering he can play (Thursday) afternoon, but when he’s sore, gained’t play him. But which means perhaps (third baseman Yoán) Moncada has to play 4 (video games).
“So you do stuff (with the lineup) in pencil and just have to watch. But the point is well taken because we are in this long string of games and you have to figure where a guy like Leury is going to have a day (off).”
Since 2020, the Sox are 145-106 when Anderson is within the beginning lineup and 39-42 when he’s not. And he typically has set the tone on the prime of the order.
Outfielder AJ Pollock led off for the Sox whereas Anderson served a two-game suspension and remained there for the second recreation of the doubleheader. He fouled a ball off his foot Tuesday and obtained a breather Wednesday. La Russa inserted second baseman Josh Harrison into the leadoff spot Wednesday.
Pollock is hitting .381/.418/.556 with two homers and 9 RBIs in 14 video games because the leadoff batter this season.
“Pollock has been good (and) when he’s not there, Josh has got experience and that’s one of the things,” La Russa stated when discussing leadoff choices. “(You) look what other guys can bring. As much potential as (Luis) Robert and (Eloy) Jiménez have (in the No. 2 and 3 spots), you really want to have somebody that’s a threat. Because (the other team is) going to see Robert on deck and say, ‘Whoa, be careful,’ and it works to your advantage.”
Sosa led off in one among his 5 begins, June 25 towards the Baltimore Orioles. He has been within the No. 9 spot the remainder of the time.
“He’s not deer in the headlights,” La Russa stated. “He’s had enough success this year, so it’s a good time to get a shot. And the better he does the more he plays. There’s an opportunity here.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com