More Dues-giving

The White Sox won a game yesterday they would’ve lost any number of ways in seasons past. Reliever Grant Taylor took the mound in the bottom of the ninth for a second inning of work and a 4-0 lead. Taylor failed to cover first on an infield single by Jackson Merril and then proceeded to walk the next two batters. This brought up ex-Sox Gavin Sheets in a lefty-righty matchup in Sheets’ favor. Key the fireworks for grand slam. No, check that. Sheets was called out on strikes after catcher Edgar Quero challenged a ball call by plate ump Sean Barber on a 2-2 pitch. Exit Taylor for Seranthony Dominguez. Keep those fireworks ready. No, check that. Dominguez recorded a flyout and strikeout to preserve the win while earning his eighth save. What’s going on here? Obviously, the new regime is making headway. Winning starter Sean Burke threw six shutout innings. This is the same Sean Burke who pitched himself back to the minors last season. Pitching Coach Zach Bove must be doing something right, though I couldn’t say what; ditto hitting coach Derek Shomon. And, yes, manager Vibes Venable seems to be pulling the right levers more often than not lately. If, by some miracle—another two-hit game from Sam Antonacci wouldn’t hurt—the Sox pull off the sweep today, they’ll be at .500, cause for celebration, indeed. I’ll keep the fireworks ready.