Introduction to the Game
Infielder Vinny Capra pitched the ninth inning of the Sox’ game against the Tigers on Monday night, which alone should tell you how poorly things went in a 13-1 loss at Rate Field.
Performance Breakdown
Starter Jonathan Cannon (2-7) allowed five runs via three homers in three innings — his shortest outing this season — and reliever Bryse Wilson allowed eight more runs, including two more homers, over the next five innings as the Sox (18-42) fell to 2-15 against American League Central opponents this season and 3-14 against the Tigers since the start of 2024. The Sox, who kicked off a seven-game homestand, are now 3-8 over their last 11 games.
Cannon’s Struggles
Cannon allowed five runs and four hits with five strikeouts. He has struggled with his command since returning from tightness in his lower back, allowing five runs in back-to-back starts. After four starts without allowing a walk, he allowed one against the Mets last week and three Monday.
Evaluation for Lower-Back Stiffness
After the game, he said his back was stiffening up on him as he finished his delivery and may be the reason why he was leaving pitches high in the zone. Manager Will Venable said the Sox’ trainers will be looking again at the lower back.
“We’ll do some evaluation and see where he’s at,” Venable said. “He just didn’t look like himself these last couple of starts since the back tightened up on him.”
Said Cannon: “We’ll assess in the coming days and see if we can figure out a solution.”
Other Game Highlights
After Wilson saved the bullpen with his extended performance — 12 hits and the inescapable hole aside — Capra pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
Why, hello there, Javy
Former Cubs fan favorite Javy Baez was back in Chicago in the visitors’ dugout with the Tigers. After returning to Wrigley Field last August, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip and was done for the year with a .184 batting average. Halfway through a six-year, $140 million contract, he hadn’t finished a season .250 or better.
Baez’s Revitalized Career
But his fortunes have changed, and the once-electrifying shortstop has revitalized his career as an outfielder. Entering Monday, he was batting .273/.306/.442 for the Tigers, who have raced to a 40-21 start. He went 1-for-5 against the Sox with a single in the eighth and a run scored later in the inning.
Baez joked with reporters that perhaps his Tigers were the reason for the warmer weather Monday.
“Maybe it’s our vibe,” he said.
Comparisons to New Players
Nearly four years after Baez’s departure, the Cubs have a new speedster on the bases, Pete Crow-Armstrong. Baez’s trade to the Mets in 2021 was seen as the end of one era of Cubs baseball. Some view Crow-Armstrong’s ascension as the start of another.
“If they say that, it’s for a reason, and he’s been putting in the numbers,” Baez said of the comparisons. “I have been seeing the type of athlete he is, and he’s a really good athlete. … Hopefully, we play against [the Cubs] in the playoffs.”
Conclusion
The Sox’s loss to the Tigers marked another difficult game for the team, with starter Jonathan Cannon struggling due to lower-back stiffness. The team’s performance against American League Central opponents continues to be a concern, and Cannon’s health will be evaluated further.
FAQs
- Q: What was the outcome of the Sox’s game against the Tigers?
A: The Sox lost 13-1. - Q: Why is Jonathan Cannon being evaluated?
A: He is being evaluated for lower-back stiffness. - Q: How has Javy Baez’s career changed since his surgery?
A: He has revitalized his career as an outfielder, with improved batting statistics.
