IN A SUPERB GAME, THE WHITE SOX FEND OFF THE M’s TO PREVAIL FOR THE THRILLING ROUND ROBIN PLAYOFF VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS

THE DEFENSE RESTS > With two outs and the game tied 1-1, White Sox third baseman Kingsley (1) has tagged out Jude (3) of the Mariners at third base after taking receipt of a throw from catcher Solly (14) to record a 2-5 putout in the bottom of the first inning at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
Beneath a layer of warm skies, the White Sox prevailed 5-3 over the Mariners in four riveting innings of Mosquito Division round robin playoff action this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
The proceeding was a tight and highly entertaining affair that was contested by two talented and well coached teams right from the first pitch to the final out. In a taut game where strong pitching (both bullpens combined for fourteen strikeouts) and stellar defense dominated, any runs that were scored came at a huge premium.
The White Sox jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. After a lead off single, Cooper (3) advanced to third on a stolen base and an error. With two outs, Solly (14) delivered a clutch RBI single to bring Cooper home with the first run of the game.
Mariners starter Liam P. (7) would strike out three in the top of the first to subdue the White Sox insurgency.
In the bottom of the first, the Mariners answered back with a run to knot it at 1-1. After Max (14) drew a two out walk, Jude (3) stroked a single that allowed Max to advance to third. Subsequently, the White Sox would uncork a wild pitch that allowed Jude to move to third and Max to blaze home with the tying run.
White Sox starter Cooper (3) would strike out two in the bottom of the first to quell the Mariners insurrection.
The White Sox would reply with a run in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead. After Eli R. (7) muscled a lead off double, Thomas (2) drew a walk to put two runners on base. Eli D. (4) followed with a RBI single to bring Eli R. home with the go ahead score.
Mariners reliever Eshetu (15) would strike out two in the top of the second to extinguish the White Sox rebellion.
White Sox reliever Solly (14) would strike out three in the bottom of the second to keep the Mariners off the scoresheet and moored to the dock.
The White Sox threatened by loading the bases on three walks in the top of the third. However, Mariners reliever Max (14) found the groove and struck out two to leave the bases stranded.
In the bottom of the third, the Mariners led off the inning with two singles to put the potential tying and go ahead runs on the basepaths. However, White Sox reliever Rafi (9) would strike out one to escape the inning unscathed and preserve their slender ever so slender one run lead.
Rafi was also helped out immeasurably by a Gold Glove defensive double play gem from his teammates. With one out and Mariners base runners at third and second, Eshetu stroked a screaming hot tamale line drive down the third baseline. However, White Sox third baseman Cooper flashed the leather and caught the sizzling and hickory smoked line drive in the shoestring webbing of his glove to rob Eshetu of a sure hit and record the second out. Noticing that the Mariners base runner had strayed too far from second base, Cooper made a laser throw to second baseman Thomas to complete the force out and chalk up a nifty 5-4 double play.
Taking advantage of five walks and a hit, the White Sox tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the fourth to widen their lead to 5-1. With the bases loaded, Eli R. would blaze home on a Mariners error.
After Justin (11) drew a walk to reload the bases, Rafi would draw a RBI walk to plate Thomas. Sebastian (15) followed with a RBI single to bring home Eli D.
In a determined effort, Mariners reliever Liam M. (9) had a spirited foray on the mound in the fourth.
However, the Mariners refused to surrender as they donned their rally caps in the bottom of the fourth and made a bold comeback bid. After Joaquin (6) led off the frame with a walk, Max stroked a RBI double to bring Joaquin home.
Jude followed with a sacrifice hit that allowed Max to come home from third and slice the M’s deficit to two.
After Reid (1) drew a one out walk, it brought the Mariners potential tying run up to the plate.
At this juncture, the White Sox’s stellar defense rose once again to the occasion to address the M’s threat. As Reid made a bid to steal second, Sox catcher Cooper made a rocket throw to second baseman Eli R., who quickly applied the tag on a sliding Reid to chalk up the 2-4 putout and record the second out of the inning.
Shaken, but not stirred, White Sox closer Solly would strike out the next batter to seal the deal on a hard fought victory over the pesky M’s.