Mike Tauchman emphatically leaves White Sox with monster home run originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the white sock sent out Michael Kopech to try to take the Crosstown Classic to extra innings, as the game at Wrigley Field was tied 6-6.
Everything that was needed to Puppies‘Mike Tauchman was a pitch. He sent it into the left field stands at Wrigley Field.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever hit a walk-off home run. I didn’t really know what to do. I’ve seen a few,” Tauchman joked. “But I love this group. And that was a win that took every single guy… Just a complete team win.
Kopech, who throws his fastball 78.3% of his pitches, according to Baseball Savant, said Tauchman knew what was coming and took advantage of it.
“I threw two pitches, both were fastballs,” Kopech said. “Most of the league knows I’m going to be predominantly fastball, he was ready for it, he put a good swing on it. He’s unfortunate with the streak we’re in. These moments are put under a microscope.”
Curiously, the first pitch of the game was sent into the stands by Corey Julks, giving the White Sox the earliest possible 1-0 lead. And Tauchman threw the final pitch of the game, giving the Cubs back-to-back 7-6 victories against the White Sox.
The White Sox have now lost 13 consecutive games, tying a 100-year franchise record for the most consecutive losses in a single season in White Sox history.
The White Sox will host the Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 9-10 for the final two games of the Crosstown Classic series. For now, it all depends on the Cubs, 2-0 in the series.