Mike Tauchman emphatically walks away from the White Sox with a monster home run originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the White Sox sent out Michael Kopech to try to push the Crosstown Classic into extra innings as the game was tied at Wrigley Field, 6-6.
All Cubs’ Mike Tauchman needed was one pitch. He sent it into the left field stands of Wrigley Field.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever hit a walk-off homer. 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 man. … Just a whole team win.
Kopech, who throws his fastball 78.3% of his pitches according to Baseball Savant, said Tauchman knew what was coming.
“I threw two pitches, they were both fastballs. Most of the league knows I’m going to be predominantly fastball, he was ready for it, put a good swing on it. It’s a shame with the run we’re on These moments are put under a microscope.”
Funnily enough, 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 consecutive 7-6 wins against the White Sox.
The White Sox are now losers of thirteen straight games, tying a century-old franchise record for most consecutive losses in a single season in White Sox history.
The White Sox will host the Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field from August 9-10 for the final two games of the Crosstown Classic series. For now, it’s all Cubs’ turn, 2-0 in the series.
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