Beckham hits game-winning single with pink bat
White Sox use pink equipment to raise awareness for breast cancer
CHICAGO -- The pink bat used by Gordon Beckham during Sunday's contest against the Reds at U.S. Cellular Field, in support of breast cancer awareness on Mother's Day, didn't bring him much luck through four at-bats.
There was a fly ball to center, a line drive to second, another fly out to right and a ground ball to second.
"Mom was very fortunate today," said Beckham with a smile after the White Sox 4-3 walk-off victory over the Reds. "I was about to throw that bat through a window somewhere. But it came through."
Beckham used that bat to face five fastballs of 100 mph or greater from Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning with runners on first and second and two outs. That fifth fastball, at 100 mph, was lined into center for the game-winning hit.
"So I guess she'll get a present now from that bat," Beckham said.
Emilio Bonifacio, Tyler Flowers and J.B. Shuck also used the pink bats for the White Sox. Bonifacio had two hits, two RBIs and was on base twice. Shuck had one hit and was on base twice, and Flowers snapped a 0-for-13 hitless funk with two hits and two walks.