Sam Antonacci Doubles Down After White Sox-Pirates Altercation

After a dormant night offensively, the Chicago White Sox needed a spark in the lineup as they squared off against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Every game matters for the White Sox. Each one could be the difference between a division title, a postseason berth, a first-round bye or even going home early after choking away a lead they’ve held for more than two months.

As the White Sox looked to stage a comeback on Wednesday, rookie Sam Antonacci did his part to provide that spark, even if it meant ruffling a few feathers.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Antonacci recorded an RBI infield single with the bases loaded. That made it a 4-1 ballgame and brought Miguel Vargas to the plate with only one out, giving Chicago a chance to get back into the game with one swing.

Vargas hit a ground ball to third base for a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. As the relay was made at second, Antonacci did his best to break up the play.

As he slid into the bag, Antonacci’s left elbow darted out and made contact with Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe. Lowe still made a good throw, but he took exception to Antonacci’s slide. That led to a confrontation as both benches and bullpens emptied.

After the game, Antonacci doubled down on the play.

“Bases were loaded, and I just went into the base pretty hard, trying to make a hard throw for him to have to make,” Antonacci said. “It’s a completely legal play if you look at the rulebook and look at what happened. You can slide as late as you want as long as you keep contact with the bag, and that’s exactly what happened.

“Nowadays, in this game and this age, people are used to letting up on that play. They say, ‘Oh, we play 162 games. I’ll just let up early. I don’t want to make contact with him.’

“Here, we’re trying to get a run any way we can. That’s a close ballgame. These are playoff games, and all I’m trying to do is scratch a run there.”

Antonacci acknowledged that it was nothing personal against Lowe, who had some choice words for him as he exited the field following the inning.

That’s simply how Antonacci plays. It’s an edge that’s easy for White Sox fans to love, especially as they watch a team that desperately needs a spark. Chicago is 3-7 over its last 10 games and has fallen to 75-70, with the walls beginning to close in as the regular season winds down and the AL Central standings tighten.

Pittsburgh ultimately got the last laugh. While Antonacci’s actions may have rubbed the Pirates or outside onlookers the wrong way, he’s exactly the type of catalyst the White Sox need right now.

There’s a reason Antonacci is the White Sox’s recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award. If the rest of the roster embraces his fiery spirit on the field, the White Sox should be more than capable of bouncing back from a couple of rough games.