It’s challenging to find positives from the Chicago White Sox’s first 70 games this season. They’ve won only 18 games, giving them Major League Baseball’s worst record in 2024. The Miami Marlins, the second-worst team, is five games ahead of them.
But in a season full of misery, pitcher Garrett Crochet provided some spark during their June 13 game against the Seattle Mariners. He threw 102 pitches through seven innings, resulting in two hits, one run, and two walks. Likewise, Crochet established a career-high 13 strikeouts.
As CBS Sports social media manager Danny Vietti pointed out, he only threw one off-speed pitch out of 102 attempts. His only off-speed pitch, a changeup, led to a Tyler Locklear home run.
Garrett Crochet just did something I haven't seen in years.
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) June 14, 2024
7 IP, 13 strikeouts, two hits, 1 ER
HE ONLY THREW 1 OFFSPEED PITCH THE ENTIRE GAME (102 PITCHES)!!
(71 4-seam FB, 30 cutters, 1 changeup) pic.twitter.com/wImA4cWeqM
But as impressive as his performance was, he still did not earn the victory because the White Sox couldn't generate enough runs. The score was 2-1 White Sox when Crochet left the mound, and Julio Rodriguez sent the game to extra innings with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth.
However, White Sox catcher Korey Lee saved the day by scoring off a ground out by Andrew Vaughn. Chicago won by one run, 3-2, and Michael Kopech was credited with the victory despite pitching only one inning.
While Crochet did not earn what could have been his seventh win this season, his performance has put the league on notice. His strikeouts against Seattle increased his tally to 116, which tied him with Tyler Glasnow for first place among pitchers.
Crochet also has a 0.90 WHIP, allowing opposing batters to hit .182 after 82.2 innings pitched. Since May, he allowed only six earned runs and struck out 69 batters in 48 innings.
-Lance Fernandez