They Did Do

Well, most of the do-be White Sox I singled out yesterday did in fact do what I hoped they’d do I an 8-3 Sox win over the Cubs at a packed Rate Field last night. Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas homered. Jarred Kelenic didn’t, but Andrew Benintendi did, and Munetaka Murakami, too, twice to be precise. Which brings us to Davis Martin. The 29-year old righthander was nothing short of superb, pitching six innings of one-run ball, with seven strikeouts and zero—I repeat, zero—walks. In 56 innings this season, Martin has walked ten batters while holding the opposition to a .223 BA. How do you say a “record of 6-1 with a .98 WHIP”? I think I just did. And let’s not forget Sam Antonacci at the top of the order—two hits, two runs scored. It’s best not to depend on the longball; in my experience, it’s never there when you need it the most. But small ball is something you can almost call on at will. Antonacci does, along with Chase Meidroth. Punch-and-Judy mixed in with pop. Now, that’s a formula for success.