Chicago White Sox: Breakout Night For Todd Frazier
By Joe Perri
Todd Frazier had his first monster game for the Chicago White Sox, highlighted with a game-winning grand slam in the 12th. If this truly was the turning point for Frazier, the rest of the league should be on notice.
Todd Frazier finally had his signature moment with his new ball club on Monday night. While he hasn’t hit for average just yet, the power numbers and production are alive and well. Frazier had nine home runs and 21 RBIs going into last night, but he showed off all three facets of his game against the Texas Rangers.
With the bases loaded in the top of the 12thinning and the score all knotted up at four, the “Todd Father” rang the bell. He took a 1-0, hanging breaking ball deep over the left field fence for a game-winning grand slam.
Frazier finished up the night 4-for-6 with six RBIs and two home runs including the game-winner. Todd bailed out the White Sox bullpen, more specifically David Robertson, who tried to earn a four-out save but gave up the game-tying run in the ninth.
“It seems like every time we got a little bit of a lead, they’d come right back and score,” Sox manager Robin Ventura said after the victory. “It’s a good game, and one you like to be on the right side of.”
Frazier entered Monday night under the Mendoza line with a .194 batting average. After his breakout performance, the New Jersey legend bumped his average up to .215. Todd has admittedly been pressing at times this season, but last night could have been just what the doctor ordered for the White Sox slugger.
"“With experience, you understand it’s going to come around, and I’m just glad it came today and in extra innings,” Frazier said. “It just clicked, man. You’re here for a reason, and when you try and play too much and try and look too far ahead of things, sometimes it gets in the way and you don’t do your job. For me, I’m just trying to back up Jose, and when he doesn’t do his job, it’s my turn and vice versa.”"
The White Sox have gotten off to a blazing start with the second-best record in baseball at 23-10, only to find themselves behind their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs. The Sox’s hot start looks more impressive when you see that Todd Frazier hasn’t even hit his stride yet.
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If last night was truly a turning point for Frazier, then the rest of the league better be on notice because this team could be dangerous when firing on all cylinders.