When managing is this fun, why not?
White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore is starting to think he could like this on a more permanent basis.
‘‘I am having fun,’’ Sizemore said before the Sox’ 4-1 loss Tuesday to Juan Soto and the Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field. ‘‘Last night [a 12-2 rout of the Yankees for his first victory since replacing fired Pedro Grifol] was a great example of that. But these last three or four days have been some of my happiest, most fun games in baseball. So I’m just looking to build off that.’’
After suffering losses to the Cubs in his first two games after replacing Grifol, Sizemore got his first game ball Monday. But the joy was short-lived as Soto enjoyed the first three-home-run game of his career to return the Sox (29-92) to their losing ways as the worst team in baseball. Left-hander Nestor Cortes (6-10) limited them to three hits and struck out nine in seven innings.
Luis Robert Jr., mired in a 4-for-42 slump and hearing boos after striking out for the second time in the game in the sixth, cut the Yankees’ lead to 4-1 with an RBI single in the eighth against Mark Leiter Jr., but Andrew Benintendi grounded out to first with runners at the corners against Tommy Kahnle to end the threat.
The Sox then loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but pinch hitter Nicky Lopez flied out and Brooks Baldwin struck out against Jake Cousins to end the game.
Soto homered in the third, fifth and seventh, hitting the first two against Sox starter Jonathan Cannon (2-6), who allowed three runs in 4‰ innings.
Sizemore was less than all-in about the notion of becoming a full-time manager the day he took the interim job. On Tuesday, however, it was suggested that — who knows? — it might become a career.
‘‘I hope so,’’ Sizemore said.
Robert ‘so frustrated’
Robert said he wasn’t bothered by the boos.
‘‘Not at all,’’ he said through a translator. ‘‘That’s how [the fans] feel, and you have to respect that. It’s frustrating. So frustrating that sometimes you think, ‘I’m quitting.’ ’’
Robert said rumors before trade deadline July 30 didn’t affect him, as some have speculated.
‘‘I’m struggling right now,’’ he said.
Moncada questionable to return
Third baseman Yoan Moncada’s status is out of his hands, but Sizemore was asked about Moncada’s possible return before the end of the season.
Moncada suffered an adductor strain April 9 and, attempting to come back, was pulled out of his rehab assignment about 10 days before the trade deadline because he wasn’t feeling 100%.
‘‘I can’t tell you that we’re going to get him back or we’re not,’’ Sizemore said. ‘‘I know he’s trying to work back. He said he’s starting to feel good and wants to start getting in games and stuff. We’re waiting for him to tell us when it’s something he’s not worrying about or thinking about.’’
The Sox were hoping Moncada would return and make himself a trade candidate before the deadline. Now it’s possible he has played his last game for the Sox, who won’t be picking up his $25 million option for 2025.
Injury updates
Right-handers Drew Thorpe (strained flexor strain) and Jordan Leasure (shoulder) completed plyo programs and will start throwing programs Thursday. Right-hander Michael Soroka (shoulder) threw 15 pitches in the bullpen and will throw another bullpen session Friday in Houston.