MINNEAPOLIS — Running straight at an infielder poised to launch a throw inches from his face?
That’s just White Sox grinder Sam Antonacci, who put his provocative base-running style on display yet again in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Rangers.
The Springfield native was at first when Braden Montgomery swatted a grounder that was relayed to Texas second baseman Justin Foscue. Antonacci rounded second like he was advancing on an extra-base hit rather than getting forced out, not so subtly putting himself in harm’s way as well as Foscue’s way to turn a double play.
The speedy Montgomery might have beaten the throw either way, but Antonacci’s antics kept the line moving for Brenton Doyle, who promptly smashed a three-run homer that helped put the game out of reach.
Antonacci knew what he was doing from the jump.
“Right when the ball was hit, I started my turn, because if you don’t start your turn [in] the first three steps, they call you out automatically,” he said before the Sox’ series opener in Minneapolis. “I’ve been able to beat the force out that way, rather than sliding in.
“It just kind of causes pandemonium. If I were to beat that out, then I’m stuck in a pickle between second and third. Maybe that allows something to happen with the runner on third crossing home,” Antonacci said.
Why take the risk of getting plunked on the basepaths in addition to his franchise-record 24 hit-by-pitches in the batter’s box?
“Because I can’t hit 40 home runs,” Antonacci said. “I’ve gotta do some stuff that’s a little unorthodox.”
Manager Will Venable’s grimace suggested he wasn’t enthused by his left fielder’s maneuver.
“Good for Sammy. No one gets hurt. It’s a clean play,” Venable said. “He’s really aggressive. He has a couple different ways in which he likes to mess with guys, make his presence felt out there, be a distraction. So whatever he wants to do out there is fine.
“The thing about Sammy that we all love is that he plays hard every single moment that he’s out there. However that takes shape is fine with me as long as he’s OK.”
Chasing a pennant, not an eclipse
A stunning partial lunar eclipse lit up the downtown Minneapolis sky Thursday night after the Sox arrived for a pivotal division showdown, but Venable didn’t catch it.
“I was asleep early last night,” he said, expressing mild disappointment at missing out on the astronomical show.
Venable’s predecessor, Pedro Grifol, famously pooh-poohed the total solar eclipse that delayed the start of the Sox’ April 8, 2024, game in Cleveland, with the ex-skipper declaring at the time he’d have admired it in the offseason “but we’re in season and this is my job.”
Grifol later conceded he took a peek.
No glove lost
The Sox recalled reliever Tyler Gilbert from Triple-A Charlotte, where the left-hander has gone 5-2 with a 4.64 ERA in 20 appearances.
Gilbert revealed he was finally reunited earlier this summer with the mitt that was confiscated at Yankee Stadium late last season when umpires deemed it suspiciously sticky.
The veteran was cleared of any underhanded conduct, but he was still waiting for its return from MLB in spring training. Happily reunited, the controversial glove sits in a closet for now.
“I’ve got my new one broken in pretty well,” Gilbert said.
More roster moves
Designated hitter Andrew Benintendi (.244/.306/.419, 13 homers in 116 games) rejoined the team after three days of bereavement leave, while rookie reliever Tyler Schweitzer (1-0, 3.64 ERA in 14 appearances) went on paternity leave.