Garrett Crochet’s second inning Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins began with a walk, a scenario that typically leads to trouble. “Starting an inning with a leadoff walk, you’re expecting to get out of the inning having given up at least one (run),” the Chicago White Sox starter said. “So, that’s just never a good start.” Crochet’s concerns became reality as he allowed four runs in the inning, including a three-run home run by Willi Castro. The White Sox ultimately fell 6-3 in front of 12,546 at Target Field. Despite executing his plan for most of the game, Crochet acknowledged that the Twins executed theirs just as well. Crochet’s performance extended his struggles on the road, allowing five runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and two walks in four-plus innings. The Sox remain winless on their two-city trip, which concludes Thursday, and hold a dismal 1-12 record on the road this season, the worst start in franchise history. Their overall record stands at 3-21, marking their worst 24-game start in franchise history. Despite solo home runs from Kevin Pillar and Korey Lee in the third inning and a stolen home by Braden Shewmake in the fifth, the Sox managed only one base runner in the final four innings, when Paul DeJong was hit by a pitch in the seventh. Starter Joe Ryan and three Minnesota relievers combined to limit the Sox to four hits. The Twins, on the other hand, capitalized on Crochet’s early struggles. The left-hander has now allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts. Crochet identified the down-and-in slider that Castro hit for the three-run homer as a recurring issue. “That’s the fourth time that’s happened this year,” he said. Crochet acknowledged that he may need to adjust his approach, realizing that the down-and-in slider is a pitch that right-handed hitters can easily handle. “I think that I need to put some work in, in the bullpen on that,” he said. While Crochet enjoyed a 2.00 ERA in his first three starts, his last three outings have resulted in a concerning 13.11 ERA. “I had a lot of success with (the changeup) tonight so I hope to use it going forward, but I don’t think that’s going to be the overall difference maker,” Crochet said. “I think the difference maker is commanding my slider better, having a better plan of attack with the heater and changing from in and away and not really sticking with the glove-side fastball.” Manager Pedro Grifol expressed confidence in Crochet’s ability to make the necessary adjustments. “The league is going to make adjustments to you,” Grifol said. “It is what it is. You’re going to have to really watch carefully what’s happening, quickly in the game, and adapt. And he’s got the weapons to do that.” Grifol indicated that they would review the game closely and make any necessary adjustments to Crochet’s approach.
Crochet’s Woes Continue as Sox Suffer Another Road Loss
