‘I’ve been working’: Moncada is searching for consistency at the plate
The Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers were tied in the eighth inning Friday.
Jake Burger reached first with two outs on an infield hit.
Yoán Moncada followed with a sharp single to center.
Up stepped Yasmani Grandal, who hit a ball over the outstretched glove of right fielder Steele Walker for a two-run double.
The hits sparked a five-run rally as the Sox beat the Rangers 8-3 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“It was a big comeback for us in the eighth,” Moncada said through an interpreter before Saturday’s game against the Rangers. “It definitely lifted our morale.
“It always feels good when you’re able to get a hit. In that moment, it was a big one.”
Moncada is a key member of the Sox lineup and he’s seeking consistency at the plate. Manager Tony La Russa saw Friday as a positive sign for Moncada and Grandal.
“Can’t exaggerate how big it is to get them going,” La Russa said after the game. “That’s where it starts. Have some success, and they’re pros and they’ll build on it.”
Grandal is slashing .185/.294/.237 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 50 games. He had two hits Saturday but left in the third inning with left hamstring tightness after a single to right field. He is being evaluated, the Sox said.
Moncada is slashing .133/.179/.211 with two home runs and six RBIs in 24 games.
“I’ve been working,” Moncada said. “The results haven’t been there. But I’ve been working. The only way to get out of this is to be patient and keep working.”
He went 0-for-5 in Saturday’s 11-9, 10-inning loss to the Rangers.
Moncada began the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain and played his first game May 9.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting to suffer what happened with my oblique,” Moncada said. “I was feeling good at the time (the end of spring training). Things happen, and I’ve been just working very hard to get to my best physical condition, and I still know I need to keep working harder now.”
He experienced quad discomfort, limiting his playing time in late May.
“Trying to find your rhythm and keep your rhythm is very complicated,” Moncada said. “Because you’re trying to do your best but trying to be cautious with your effort. You don’t want the injury to get worse.”
He returned to the lineup in early June. Moncada said Saturday he’s “feeling good.”
“No soreness or anything,” Moncada said. “Nothing is bothering me right now.”
Burger has been the top option at third base when Moncada’s not in the lineup. Burger has shifted to designated hitter in recent games and has continued to be a productive player. He hit a two-run homer Saturday.
“That’s the kind of challenge that’s good for us, right?” La Russa said before Saturday’s game of working both players into the mix. “Moncada’s got the talent to be a difference-maker. I think he’s going to be. I think he’s feeling good physically. There are ways to get Burger into the lineup. DH him is one way. But I hope we continue to have that problem. We’ll figure out the playing time.”
The Sox have only two scheduled days off before the start of the All-Star break on July 18, so contributions will be needed across the board.
“First and foremost, we just have to keep our focus on what we want to accomplish and win every single game every day,” Moncada said. “If we take care of that and have that mindset, we’ll be able to pass that stretch and hopefully play better baseball for the second half.
“That’s the key for us. We don’t have to get a (break). Just try to play and win every day.”