White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. (AP)
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SEATTLE — White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson hasn’t been much of a spark in his customary leadoff spot, so Pedro Grifol made a change Saturday, dropping him to second in the lineup and moving Andrew Benintendi to leadoff.
Benintendi reached base in all six plate appearances but the experiment lasted all of three and a half innings as Anderson left the Sox’ 4-3 win in 11 innings with right shoulder soreness.
Zach Remillard, playing his first major league game after entering for Anderson in the fourth, took over in Anderson’s spot in the lineup at second base with Elvis Andrus moving to second base, and reached base all four times up, driving in the tying and winning runs in the ninth and 10th innings. So it all worked out.
And Anderson, who was in good spirits like everyone else in the visitors clubhouse at T-Mobile Park but declined to talk to media after what Grifol called “our best win of the year,” seemed relatively fine and could be well enough to play in the rubber game of the series Sunday.
“Tim, his shoulder got a little sore,” said Grifol, who along with trainer James Kruk talked to Anderson in the dugout after the shortstop was doubled off first base on a foul pop fly ending the third inning. “I think he did it pregame out there stretching, throwing, and he toughed it out for three innings. It’s cold out here. He toughed it out and the evaluations were good. He’s day to day and we’ll see how he wakes up [Sunday].”’
It marked the first time since Sept. 29, 2019 that Anderson, a former batting champion who was batting .251/.289/.295 with a .584 OPS going into Saturday’s game against the Mariners, did not lead off, breaking a streak of 299 spots in the top spot.
“I think it helps our club,” Grifol said. “Benny has a high on base [team-high .347], TA uses that side of the field really, really well. The idea is for Benny to be on base, TA to use that side, us go first to third and to get the big boys up with men in scoring position and them on the bases.”
The Sox had six solo home runs in their last two games, both one-run losses. Eloy Jimenez’ homer Saturday was also a solo shot.
“We want some traffic when those homers are hit,” Grifol said.
Anderson has not homered this season and his 65.7 percent ground ball rate leads qualified hitters in the major leagues. He hit into a double play in the first after Benintendi reached on an error.
Grifol believes Anderson’s numbers are due in part to the knee sprain he suffered in April.
“I just think the injury in Minnesota has really affected him,” Grifol said. “It sent him into mechanical changes without him even knowing. When you’re wearing a brace and you’ve never worn a brace, your body’s doing something different because you’re wearing it. You take it off and your body continues to do those things. You try to find yourself.”
Grifol said he discussed the move with Anderson and that it was well received.
“It’s not a dictatorship,” Grifol said. “I want guys comfortable playing the game. Doesn’t mean we wont do things when they’re a little bit uncomfortable but these guys want to win. Whatever it takes to win baseball games, they’re on board.”
The Sox are 170-129 since 2020 when Anderson is in the starting lineup, and 69-87 when he does not start. But he is 2-for-22 with two walks in his last six games. His last home run was July 15 at Minnesota.
“The cool thing about baseball is we’ve got 92 games left, he hits at the top of the order, he has about 350-400 plate appearances left,” Grifol said. “I’m completely confident he’s going to turn this thing around and have a really good year.”
Benintendi has batted in all nine spots during his career, mostly second (340 games).
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Romy Gonzalez, who entered as a pinch runner, is limited with a sore right shoulder and will be evaluated when the Sox return to Chicago Monday.
