White Sox manager Will Venable admits 'inexcusable mistake' after rule violation forces pitching change
Manager Will Venable took full responsibility after an appeal play triggered an automatic pitching change under MLB regulations, handing the game to the Cleveland Guardians.
Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable has been forced to acknowledge an administrative error that directly impacted the outcome of Friday night’s match against the Cleveland Guardians. The White Sox were defeated 8-2, a result compounded by a procedural violation in the first inning that mandated the removal of starting pitcher Noah Schultz.
The incident occurred after Schultz had already been visited by pitching coach Zach Bove. Under Major League Baseball regulations, a pitcher is permitted only one mound visit per inning. Venable crossed the foul line to argue an appeal play regarding a runner missing third base on an RBI single. This action was classified as a second mound visit, triggering an automatic pitching change regardless of the manager’s intent to dispute a call rather than confer with the pitcher.
Reliever David Sandlin entered the game to replace Schultz. Although Sandlin was able to escape the first inning, he ultimately allowed six runs over 5 ⅓ innings. The Guardians extended their lead significantly in the fifth inning when Angel Martínez hit a grand slam off Sandlin, effectively closing the contest.
Venable, in his second year as White Sox manager, described the error as an "inexcusable mistake" and stated he took full responsibility. He explained that the team had planned a short start for Schultz to manage his workload, with Sandlin intended to provide bulk innings later in the game. The premature change disrupted this strategic plan, though Venable noted the overall impact on the game plan was not as severe as the score suggested.
The loss marks the fourth consecutive defeat for the White Sox, who sit atop the AL Central with a 59-56 record. The Guardians, at 58-59, remain two games behind Chicago but tied for second place with the Minnesota Twins. Venable, who previously served as an associate manager with the Texas Rangers and held front-office roles with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, emphasised that the team must move forward from the error.
