TKO

Count on the White Sox to tarnish a 7-4 win in Cleveland courtesy of Michael Kopech’s pitching (two runs in 5.1 innings) and homers by Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Vaughn and Elvis Andrus. Thank Tim Anderson in particular. Anderson and the Guardians’ Jose Ramirez went a round at second base after Ramirez slid under Anderson’s tag on a double in the sixth inning. Ramirez said something, Anderson answered back, followed by some shoving and Anderson dropping his glove to fight. Ramirez obliged and landed a haymaker right on the chin. Down went Anderson, which emptied the respective benches and bullpens. Ramirez later charged Anderson with “disrespecting” the game, by which he presumably meant the Sox shortstop getting an out the night before when he got an out by knocking Brayan Rocchio’s hand off of second base on a slide. If so, I stand with Anderson. Cleveland manager Terry Francona intimated there were a number of factors involved, including Anderson badmouthing first baseman Gabriel Arias all night. Again, if so, I go with Anderson. But start throwing punches, and you risk injury, to yourself and teammates. Considering that ever-fragile Eloy Jimenz was seen limping by the end of the contretemps, and part of that falls on Anderson. So does the responsibility to explain himself. If he could find words for opposing players, he could find words to share with the Chicago media. After the game, Sox manager Mickey Mouse declined to offer any insight on what transpired, leaving it to MLB officials. Oh, that Mickey, forever backing his players. Blah, blah, blah. Squeak, squeak, squeak.