After earning a rare save for the Chicago White Sox in a 6-4 win Wednesday, relief pitcher Keynan Middleton had some choices words for Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, who he struck out to end the game.
“I knew I was going to face Correa, and I don’t like him. So it was kind of cool,” Middleton told reporters. “I like that. I enjoyed that a lot. … I mean, he’s a cheater.”
Middleton has not earned a save since his days as a Seattle Mariner in 2021, but has maintained a lengthy career in the major leagues dating back to 2017. Like many MLB players, he clearly still holds ill will toward members of the 2017 Houston Astros, who won the World Series before getting exposed for a sign-stealing scandal which allegedly improved their performance at home games dramatically.
Correa was never identified as a key member of the sign stealing scheme, as all Astros players were granted immunity as part of MLB’s investigation. Nevertheless, he was a very prominent player on the team who benefitted from advance knowledge of the pitches being thrown. Opponents in subsequent seasons have found numerous ways to retaliate against 2017 Astros players, but Middleton’s approach was more direct and resulted in a run for the White Sox.
After losing 10 straight games between April 19 and April 29, the team has now won three straight in games against the Rays and Twins. Middleton pitched in back-to-back games on May 2 and 3, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings combined and helping the team win close games against Minnesota.
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said that he didn’t hesitate to give Middleton the save opportunity on no days’ rest. The reliever has gotten more chances late in games recently as Liam Hendriks completes his cancer recovery while Reynaldo Lopez recovers from a minor setback.
“This guy is a gamer,” Grifol said after the game. “He’s been through it before and I felt comfortable with him in that situation.”
