MILWAUKEE — Third baseman Yoan Moncada missed home plate, left-hander Carlos Rodon misfired with two home-run pitches and catcher Zack Collins missed the mark on two throws, one of them costing the Sox two runs in a 6-1 loss Saturday to the Brewers.
The Sox had six hits and too many misses, falling to the Brewers in a matchup of division leaders for the second consecutive night before the first sellout of the season at American Family Field. That crowd was boosted considerably by many thousands of Sox fans, who were heard but had little to cheer about.
The Sox’ chance to dent a 4-0 deficit in the fifth inning was hurt when Moncada was called out, after a review, for missing home plate by several inches while going in standing up on second baseman Leury Garcia’s tapper to Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes with the bases loaded and no outs.
It killed what would have been a bases-loaded, no-out situation, and the Sox had to settle for one run on a bases-loaded walk to Collins.
On the wacky play involving Moncada, Burnes’ flip home caromed off Moncada’s foot and then umpire Dan Iassogna, but Moncada didn’t bother to go back and touch the plate.
”I missed home plate,” Moncada said through a translator. ”I thought I touched it but realized it after seeing the replay. It was my fault.”
Brewers manager Craig Counsell challenged with the next batter, Collins, standing in the box. After the ruling and a dispute from Sox manager Tony La Russa, the umpires went to the headset to verify that an appeal could be made following a mound visit. In the case of a mound visit, a manager must exercise his challenge before the start of the next play, unless the visit results in a pitching change.
”When you have that much time, which includes a trip to the mound by the pitching coach, it’s very unusual,” La Russa said.
Rodon gave up a homer to Kolten Wong on a 90 mph fastball on his first pitch and another to Tyrone Taylor on a 93 mph fastball leading off the second. Rowdy Tellez homered against relievers Jose Ruiz and Reynaldo Lopez.
Collins committed two throwing errors, the first on a sacrifice bunt by Luis Urias with no outs in the fourth that paved the way for two runs.
Rodon was lifted for pinch hitter Jake Burger in the fifth after throwing 79 pitches, striking out five and walking two. Two of the four runs he allowed were earned.
”Wasn’t one of my best days, for sure,” Rodon said. ”The fastball showed up kind of late, just too late. I haven’t had a day like this in a while. Bound to come, I guess. I’ll be OK.”
Burger, batting after the walk bases-loaded walk to Collins, struck out, and shortstop Tim Anderson flied out to end the threat.
Anderson: Umps should be accountable
Anderson talked about getting thrown out of the Sox’ 7-1 loss Friday. He and La Russa were ejected — Anderson from the dugout — on a night in which the Sox questioned umpire John Libka’s strike zone.
”It was a frustrating night,” Anderson said. ”I feel like he made some bad calls on certain pitches. I had to let him know. I had the best seat in the house. I was at short all night.”
