Problems with pop-ups pop up for Chicago White Sox in a 10-3 loss to San Francisco Giants
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman hit a pop-up in Miguel Vargas’ direction with two outs in the fifth inning Saturday at Oracle Park. But the Chicago White Sox third baseman lost the ball in the sun, and it fell in shallow left field for what was ruled a double. Two walks followed, loading the bases for Harrison Bader.
Reliever Jordan Leasure replaced bulk pitcher Erick Fedde, and Bader popped up Leasure’s second pitch into foul territory. Vargas again lost the ball in the sun, and it fell for what was ruled a no play. “The first one I was trying to follow it, I didn’t see it at any point,” Vargas said.
“The second one was even harder. ” The at-bat continued, and Bader made the Sox pay three pitches later with a grand slam. The Sox allowed six runs in the inning, losing 10-3 in front of a sellout crowd of 40,172.
“That inning for me was very tough to see the ball,” Vargas said, “and I think I could do better and put the team in a better spot. ” Fedde allowed eight runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 3 1/3 innings after entering with one out in the second following opener Bryan Hudson. “(Hudson) did a great job of getting us going and (I was) able to come in the second inning and get a couple of quick outs,” Fedde said.
“Just didn’t do a good job after that. “I felt fine, just didn’t execute a few pitches. The boys did great to battle back to get it back to 3-3.