Sean Newcomb saves bullpen as White Sox beat Guardians to retake first place in AL Central

Sean Newcomb saves bullpen as White Sox beat Guardians to retake first place in AL Central

Left-hander Sean Newcomb had gotten the White Sox out of a jam in the seventh inning and kept the Guardians off the board in the eighth, maintaining a one-run lead. Having thrown 42 pitches in his three-inning start Saturday in Detroit, Newcomb assured manager Will Venable and pitching coach Zach Bove that he could close out the game Tuesday.“I got through the second [inning] there, and I came in and kind of had a feeling they would appreciate me to say I was good for the next one,” Newcomb said. “I could see it in their eyes. I told them I was good. I look forward to those opportunities.”He delivered, retiring the side in order in the ninth to give the Sox a 2-1 victory and sole possession of first place in the American League Central by one game over the Guardians. Three days after opening a game with three perfect innings, Newcomb pitched near-perfect ball for the last 2 ⅔ innings, allowing only a walk among his 45 pitches.“That was special,” Venable said. “He’s been around this league a long time and has an understanding of his body and where he’s at. I think that definitely pushed him to the limit there, specifically with the previous workload that he’s had. But he wanted the ball and obviously did a great job.”Newcomb spared the Sox from having to tap into a drained bullpen. High-leverage relievers Seranthony Dominguez, Bryan Hudson and Grant Taylor were unavailable, the former and latter having pitched…

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