2020 OOTP sim: Civale silences Sox

CLEVELAND — Going into Saturday's game at Cleveland with solid southpaw Dallas Keuchel on the mound, the White Sox figured to have a strong starter's advantage to help even the series.

It didn't work out that way, as plus-5.00 ERA Aaron Civale pitched the game of his life, stifling the Sox, 5-2.

Cleveland broke the tape early, as Francisco Lindor doubled, stole third base on befuddled backstop Yasmani Grandal and came home on a 6-4 ground out.

But the White Sox struck right back, as Eloy Jiménez and José Abreu singled to first-and-third the Sox. Keith Curcio, who has hit the ground running in this first two major league games, singled home Eloy to secure a 4-for-7 start in his two-game debut.

Unfortunately, Cleveland untied the knot in the bottom of the fourth, with Domingo Santana sending a full-count offering from Kid Keuchy deep over the left-field wall to give the Wahoos a lead they would not relinquish. (But for good measure, Franmil Reyes clouted a two-run shot in the fifth to extend the lead.)

The Chisox stayed dormant until the ninth, when a rally loaded the bases, scored a run on a Nick Madrigal single, then brought the tying run to the plate. But Zack Collins, pinch-hitting in what we'd later learn was his last at-bat for the White Sox, popped out, and all-everything Yoán Moncada whiffed to end it.

Bright spots? Curcio and Abreu accounted for five of Chicago's eight hits. And both newcomer Keone Kela and old hand Aaron Bummer were strong out of the pen.