White Sox Manager Forgets Key Rule, Costing Team in Loss

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable had a challenging moment in his first season with the team during their 8-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Venable overlooked an important rule, which led to significant consequences for his team.

The game started poorly for the White Sox, as pitcher Noah Schultz loaded the bases just four batters in, prompting a mound visit from pitching coach Zach Bove. Subsequently, left fielder Angel Martinez hit a two-run single. Shortly after, Venable approached the mound to discuss an appeal play, forgetting that he wasn’t permitted to make a second visit.

Under official rule 5.10(l), a manager or coach is allowed only one visit to the mound per pitcher in a single inning without penalty. If the same coach or manager makes a second visit to the same pitcher in the same inning, the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position.

Venable’s visit required the removal of Schultz from the game after just five batters. This decision was particularly costly, as the team’s bullpen had been heavily used the previous night when the game extended to 13 innings.

The bullpen had to cover 8 2/3 innings as a result. David Sandlin was called to replace Schultz but hadn’t started preparing in the bullpen. He quickly warmed up, stretching hastily before entering the game.

After the game, Venable admitted to his mistake, acknowledging the urgency to execute an appeal play led to his overlooking the rule. “Just an inexcusable mistake by me,” Venable said to MLB.com. He expressed taking full responsibility for the error.

Despite the circumstances, Sandlin impressed with his performance, pitching 5 1/3 innings on 96 pitches. He attributed his readiness to the extra time he had to warm up, stating, “Can’t make any excuses, just have to get going. Felt good enough and started off great.”

This defeat marked the White Sox’s fourth consecutive loss, their longest losing streak of the season. Before Friday, they had not lost more than three consecutive games.

The White Sox, holding a 59-56 record, aim to recover in their next game of the three-game series against the 58-59 Guardians on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET.