Aug 12, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech (34) delivers against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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Michael Kopech had a no-hitter going for the White Sox through six innings but then Tony La Russa pulled him and fans were absolutely enraged.
One day after the Chicago White Sox saw another gem from AL Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease, it seemed as if another young pitcher in Michael Kopech was trying to outdo his teammate on Friday night in his start against the Detroit Tigers.
Kopech, who has dealt with a number of injuries along with various ups and downs, was absolutely shoving on the bump against the Tigers as he struck out 11 batters through six innings while having a no-hitter working through 85 pitches. It looked as if he was on the verge of doing something super, super special.
White Sox manager Tony La Russa didn’t care. Instead, he yanked Kopech after his six innings of work and made the call to the bullpen. And to make that worse, the first batter up after Kopech was pulled from the game singled to ruin even a chance at a combined no-no.
White Sox fans ready for Tony La Russa to go (again) after pulling Michael Kopech from no-hitter
As is often the case with La Russa and fans on the Southside, they were ready to see him fired immediately after the decision to pull Kopech from the no-hit bid.
Good thing they’re saving Kopech for all the playoff games they aren’t gonna play
— Jmann (@justinkosmc) August 13, 2022
La Russa knows the White Sox will not score any runs so.a Kopech no hitter would still be a loss.
4-D chess from a guy with 2 DUIs.
— Maker Bayfield (@Jozefowski) August 13, 2022
Yeah, I’m not sure why the White Sox pulled Kopech.
Fire Tony chants starting up.
— Josh Nelson (@soxmachine_josh) August 13, 2022
Lmao TLR pulled Kopech on 85 pitches
Man I’m so done with him 😂
— 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓴 ✨ (@Sox_Nick) August 13, 2022
LaRussa pulls Kopech after 6 no hit innings.
Baez immediately breaks up the no hitter and the Fire Tony chants rain down.
Miggy was on deck laughing.
Lance Lynn was on the rail of the dugout damn near chanting with the crowd.
Its ugly on the southside 🤦🏾♂️.
— – Savage Randy – (@Almadrio45) August 13, 2022
Going to the bullpen makes it feel like they think Kopech can only be the pitcher of record one way, and he deserves better.
— Jim Margalus 🥌 (@SoxMachine) August 13, 2022
We can argue all we want about saving Kopech’s arm, I get it. But big picture, a no hitter can fire up a team and this team is going nowhere because they have zero fight
— Dara Duratinsky (@daradura) August 13, 2022
Leury Garcia has to finish a game with one working leg but Michael Kopech isn’t allowed to pitch the 7th inning with 85 pitches and a no-hitter.
Tony La Russa, everybody.
— Patrick Nolan (@SoxMach_pnoles) August 13, 2022
There have been calls for La Russa’s job on numerous occasions throughout this season in Chicago as the team as a whole has largely underachieved this season. But seeing him take away a chance at history only for the bullpen to give up a hit immediately is just laughably bad optics.
If there’s a silver lining, the White Sox took a lead late and the Tigers were still held scoreless. Even still, fans would’ve much rather seen Kopech keep chasing a special moment and night.
