All interim manager Grady Sizemore could do after the White Sox’ walk-off win Saturday was exhale and laugh.
“Roller coaster,” Sizemore said of the 7-6 victory over the A’s, which ended with designated hitter Andrew Benintendi’s home run off the right-field foul pole.
“No easy wins for us. That was a hard-fought one, a little bit of everything. Guys kept fighting, kept staying in there adding on. Benny with the big hit again for us. He’s been clutch.”
It was Benintendi’s second career walk-off homer. He said he was down in the cage working on hitting lefty sliders during the ninth inning as the Sox’ bullpen blew another lead.
“Stay locked in until the game is over,” Benintendi said. “Obviously, I prefer not to hit in that inning. But credit to them, it was good to finish that way.”
It wasn’t flawless, but the Sox will take a win whenever they can as they look to stave off the record for most losses in the modern era (120). The victory snapped their 16-game home losing streak — their last home win was Aug. 12 against the Yankees.
The postgame tenor could have been more subdued given the events of the top of the ninth. Holding a three-run lead, Justin Anderson failed to record an out, allowing three runs (two earned) on a hit and two walks.
Gus Varland allowed two hits before retiring the A’s on a groundout and a popout. Left fielder Zach DeLoach saved a run with a strong throw home to Chuckie Robinson to cut down the go-ahead run.
“It was a great play by Chuckie, a good throw by DeLoach,” Sizemore said. “There were a lot of plays that were made prior to that last inning, but that was a great job there. Unbelievable play, to just be able to adjust, get the ball and still get the tag on.”
The Sox had 16 hits. They were aggressive in the zone and stacked good at-bats. Shortstop Nicky Lopez, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., Benintendi and second baseman Lenyn Sosa each racked up three hits.
The Sox also received a strong start from Chris Flexen, who threw five scoreless innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out eight.
“Result-wise, I was pretty on,” Flexen said. “Chuckie and I had a really good mix today, and I thought our offense being able to get off to an early jump, I pitched with a little more confidence there, and really just tried to hold it down.”
But after he exited the game, the bullpen fell apart. The unit — which had the second-highest bullpen ERA entering the game — blew two three-run leads and allowed five earned runs. The ninth inning was particularly disastrous because the Sox also started slipping defensively. Sosa committed an error that led to a run.
“You’re just trying to think how are we going to get out of this inning,” Sizemore said. “You’re looking for a ground ball or strikeout there. Once we got the out with Chuckie on that play, I thought we were in a good spot to at least get out of the inning.”
The Sox have lost 20 consecutive series, but they can rectify that Sunday with a win.
“All these wins just feel good,” Sizemore said. “They have been so hard to come by. Streaks or no streaks, a walk-off win is always fun.”