Chicago White Sox' Liam Hendriks Gets First Win, on National Cancer Survivors Day

How can you not be romantic about baseball?

The Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon by a score of 6-2, getting a walk-off grand slam from Jake Burger.

While the win was important for Chicago and completed a three-game sweep of the division rivals, the win was also very meaningful.

Pitcher Liam Hendriks got the win on the mound, tossing a scoreless top of the ninth inning. It was his first win of the season and it came on a very special day -- National Cancer Survivor's Day.

Sox PR points out that Liam Hendriks got the win on National Cancer Survivors Day
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 4, 2023

Hendriks got a late start to the season after announcing in the offseason that he had cancer. Fortunately, he was able to beat it and made his season debut on May 29.

He allowed no baserunners in the ninth inning while striking out two. That's two consecutive scoreless appearances for Hendriks, who has pitched in three games this year.

Though this wasn't a save opportunity, Hendriks is one of the top closers in the league, having wrapped up 115 career saves. Nearly all of those have come since 2019. He led the league in 2021 in saves with 38 for the White Sox.

Hendriks is in his 13th major league season and has spent time with the Twins, Royals, Blue Jays, Athletics and White Sox. He's a three-time All-Star (2019, 2021-2022).

The White Sox are now 26-35 and in fourth place in the American League Central. They are 5.5 games behind the first-place Twins. They are off on Monday but will take on the Yankees on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET.

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