Chicago White Sox Explode For A Six-Run Eighth Inning, Defeat The Colorado Rockies 15-3

Apr 8, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers (21) is greeted by shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Franklin Morales got off to a rough start Tuesday night in the second game of the series. He would serve up a 0-2 hanging curveball to Avisail Garcia who would make him pay, hitting a solo-shot to left field for the early 1-0 lead. After an Alexei Ramirez single, Tyler Flowers would hit a two-run home run to left, extending Chicago’s lead to three in the second inning.

The story of the night would have to be Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu. He would go 2-for-5 from the plate, hitting his first MLB home run in the seventh inning, a three-run shot. He would hit another home run in the eighth inning, this time a two-run shot. If you remember correctly, the Rockies made a bid for the first baseman in free agency, but Chicago pulled away with a slightly bigger offer. Could you imagine if Abreu signed with the Rockies, how many towering home runs he would have hit at Coors?

As for Wilton Lopez in a Colorado Rockies uniform, it might be over soon. Not saying he could make it back with the club but his outing tonight should take the righty off of the roster. He was responsible for the blow-up in the eighth inning, pitching just 2/3 of an inning. He would give up eight hits, three home runs, and six earned runs. Chad Bettis was shaky as well, pitching 2/3 of an inning, giving up a solo home run.

Avisail Garcia, like Jose Abreu, would hit two home runs, both off of lefty Franklin Morales. He in a sense has the same body type as Miguel Cabrera and almost identical batting stance. He is just 22-years-old but Chicago is hoping he can turn into that type of player. He would finish the night going 4-for-5 from the plate with three RBI’s and two runs scored.

Jose Quintana picked up the win for the White Sox, keeping the Rockies hitters off-balance. He would throw seven strong innings, giving up five hits, two earned runs, two walks, and struck out four.

Rockies Pitchers:

• Franklin Morales: 6.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO.
• Chad Bettis: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO.
• Wilton Lopez: 0.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 HR.
• Tommy Kahnle: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 SO.

Notable Rockies Hitters:

• Troy Tulowitzki: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI.
• Michael Cuddyer: 2-for-4, 2B, HR. 9-game hitting streak.
• Justin Morneau: 2-for-3.

The Colorado Rockies (4-5) look to take the series tomorrow afternoon as a pair of right-handers go at it. Chicago’s Erik Johnson will go against Colorado’s Juan Nicasio. First-pitch is scheduled for 3:10 PM ET, 1:10 PM MT.