CHICAGO -- The date was Sept. 3, 1995.
Bill Clinton was president of the United States. Seinfeld was the top-rated television show. Mortal Kombat was the No. 1 grossing movie, and the White Sox had just completed a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays in Chicago.
It took the South Siders over 30 years to accomplish that same feat once again. By virtue of their 3-0 victory Sunday at Rate Field before 22,326 fans, the White Sox won for a third straight time this weekend against the defending American League champions and improved to 4-5 overall.
Make that 1-5 on the road and 3-0 at home, marking the first time the White Sox have started 3-0 in Chicago since 2004. That ‘04 campaign was Ozzie Guillen’s first year as manager, with Guillen now set to get his No. 13 jersey retired on Aug. 8 of this season.
Davis Martin earned the victory working six scoreless innings, which is a season high to date for a White Sox starter. The right-hander struck out six, walked two and allowed four hits.
His biggest point of trouble came in the top of the third with the bases loaded and two outs. Addison Barger grounded one up the middle, with the ball claimed by shortstop Tanner Murray near the outfield grass, almost where the second baseman plays. Murray threw to Munetaka Murakami after making a full spin, with Murakami stretching to grab the ball out of the dirt and make the play before Barger hit first base.
Murray finished his Major League debut with this tremendous defensive play and an 0-for-2 showing at the plate. He arrived Saturday night in Chicago from Nashville, where Triple-A Charlotte was playing, replacing outfielder Everson Pereira, who hit the 10-day injured list with a right ankle sprain.
“I called my mom,” said Murray, about who he talked with after news of the promotion. “She was with my grandma, and she started crying, and I started tearing up as well. And then I called my dad and then my girlfriend.”
Austin Hays, Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa delivered run-scoring hits to round out the White Sox offense leading into a three-game home set with Baltimore. Vargas’ 7th RBI this season came via a first-inning triple.