Moose Alert: White Sox Drop the Ball for First 5 Inning Bettors

The Highlights

• The White Sox (+165 first 5 innings) led 5-2 in the fifth inning.
• After an error to lead off the bottom, Cleveland loaded the bases with one out.
• Reliever Luis Avilan came in and got a pop-up for the second out of the inning. New reliever Chris Volstad induced a pop-up as well, but it didn't result in an out — only a moose.

Someone out there had the White Sox first 5 innings +165, and that someone now has no appetite.

The White Sox held a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. As long as the Indians didn't score three or more runs, Chicago first 5 bettors had a winner.

The inning didn't start off well, as Yan Gomes reached on a Tim Anderson throwing error. Not a good sign, but far from fatal. Dylan Covey then got Gregory Allen to ground out, which erased the lead runner. One down.

Covey would not record another out, as White Sox manager Rick Renteria pulled his starter after Francisco Lindor and Michael Brantley reached on a single and walk, respectively. Time to really sweat now. One pitch over the wall and it was lights out for the White Sox first 5 innings.

Renteria went to lefty specialist Luis Avilan — in order to turn around switch-hitter Jose Ramirez. That plan worked to perfection, as Ramirez popped out on the first pitch. Avilan did his job, but his day was finished after one pitch.

The Sox then brought in reliever Chris Volstad to face Edwin Encarnacion. The Indians DH hit a towering fly ball to shallow right field. Inning over and bet cashed, right?

Wrong. Right fielder Daniel Palka just barely got to the ball, but it popped out of his glove on the sliding catch attempt. All three runs scored. All three unearned. Remember the Indians started off the inning by reaching on an error.

Brutal, but still at least a push — for now. The White Sox then went to a new reliever in Jace Frye, who hadn't allowed an earned run all season. All he had to do was get Yonder Alonso out to preserve the push. He wouldn't. Alonso doubled to center, binging in Encarnacion to give the Tribe a 6-5 lead.

Absolute torture for White Sox first 5 bettors. So many things had to go wrong for that not to hit. That moose calls for an extra beer or three tonight to drink away the pain.