Big inning shows what Sox can do
The White Sox have looked like a team that will score runs in bunches during their intrasquad scrimmages in summer camp, and they looked the part against the Cubs in their first exhibition game Sunday at Wrigley Field.
The Sox scored six runs in the fifth inning against Cubs righthanders Kyle Hendricks and Jharel Cotton. Most of the damage came against Cotton after they got three hits against Hendricks, the Cubs’ Opening Day starter.
Regardless, it was an entertaining inning. It was kicked off by a home run by Adam Engel against Hendricks and was thrust into high gear with consecutive doubles by Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion and Luis Robert and a triple by Leury Garcia against Cotton. The Sox pounded out seven hits in the inning to erase a 2-0 deficit.
Singles by Zack Collins and outfield prospect Luis Gonzalez and a wild pitch by Rex Brothers in the seventh widened the Sox’ lead to 7-2.
‘‘We’re going to do some damage,’’ Robert said.
‘‘I’m glad I don’t have to face our offense anymore,’’ Sox righthander Lucas Giolito said. ‘‘I’m not seeing too many holes. I think that we’re going to make a lot of noise here.’’
Prospect Jimmy Lambert and left-hander Ross Detwiler each pitched two scoreless innings in relief of right-hander Drew Anderson. Detwiler struck out four, and Lambert struck out Javy Baez and David Bote.
No surprise: It’s Giolito
There was no suspense in manager Rick Renteria naming Giolito to start the season opener Friday against the Twins, but he entertained in doing so, slowly holding up a Giolito bobblehead on his Zoom call with media.
‘‘Without me saying anything, I’ll kind of let you guys figure it out,’’ Renteria said while lifting it up.
Twins right-hander Jose Berrios will oppose Giolito in the opener of the 60-game season.
Giolito (14-9, 3.41 ERA) was the obvious choice and has been lined up since the start of camp to pitch the opener. In a remarkable turnaround, he became one of the top pitchers in the American League last season after being one of the worst in 2018. He made the AL All-Star team and ranked among the league leaders in strikeouts (228), WHIP (1.06) and complete games (three) — including two shutouts — in 2019.
Robert wants to spread joy
Robert struck out looking and muscled a single to right against Hendricks before hitting a double into the ivy against Cotton.
On talk that he’s the next great thing, he said: ‘‘I try to not pay attention to that. I know people are talking about comparisons, comparing me to different players. I know [teammate] Eloy [Jimenez] already told the media that I was going to be the next Mike Trout.
I feel good about that, but I really don’t try to think much about that. I’m going to do what I know I can do and keep my focus on the game. But, definitely, it’s an honor to be compared with those great players.’’
This and that
Right fielder Nomar Mazara was ‘‘a little bit under the weather’’ and wasn’t in the lineup against the Cubs. Engel started in right field.
† Renteria remained optimistic that third baseman Yoan Moncada would play in one or both of the exhibition games this week at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox host the Cubs on Monday and the Brewers on Wednesday.