There was only one man who could take the mound for the Chicago White Sox after Lucas Giolito and the rest of the staff were roughed up Monday against the Boston Red Sox.
That man is the “Yerminator.”
Yermin Mercedes added to his growing legend by making his first career pitching appearance with the South Siders facing a 10-4 deficit in the seventh inning.
Yermin Mercedes is now pitching for #WhiteSox, who trail the Red Sox 10-4 in 7th. We've already heard Steve Stone's story linking him to the first cell phone in 1982, so in final two innings can only hope Stoney shares his memories of being there when the internet was invented.
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) April 19, 2021
Yermin Mercedes rocking the Fernando Rodney style hat in his first pitching appearance. YERMINATER pic.twitter.com/VwwikFQiq2
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) April 19, 2021
Mercedes gave up one run on three hits and a pair of walks.
Mercedes allowed one run on three hits with two walks in the seventh.
Going to the eighth: Red Sox 11, White Sox 4.— LaMond Pope (@lamondpope) April 19, 2021
The White Sox were already mailing this one in after their starter, Giolito, gave up eight hits and seven runs in just one inning of work. But at least fans got to see Mercedes take the bump.
Mercedes has been an absolute godsend for the White Sox following Eloy Jimenez's torn pectoral injury at the end of spring training.
The 28-year-old spent the better part of a decade in the minor leagues before Jimenez's injury forced Chicago to take drastic measures. But Mercedes has seized the most of his opportunity.
Mercedes hit safely in each of his first eight plate appearances of the season. He entered Monday's game slashing .415/.456/.717 with four homers and 12 RBI, giving the White Sox much-needed production with boppers such as Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada off to slow starts.
It remains to be seen whether Mercedes can continue producing at a high level. His average exit velocity (87.7 mph) and hard-hit rate (33.3 percent) seem to point to regression. But he ranks in the 94th percentile in max exit velocity and whiff rate, both encouraging metrics in projecting future success.
Mercedes has done it all for the White Sox thus far, with his latest exploits including a trip to the mound.
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