Korey Lee became the third White Sox player to both catch and pitch in the same game, joining Frank Isbell and Sam Mertes from 1902. The White Sox lost 12-1 to the Kansas City Royals, a loss that eliminated Chicago from American League Central contention. Lee entered as a defensive replacement in the seventh, flew out in his only plate appearance, then pitched the eighth and ninth to spare the bullpen. Over two innings he allowed one run on four hits and two walks across 31 pitches, threw an 89.5 mph fastball and a 42.8 mph floater, and borrowed teammates' gloves to make the appearances.
Lee initially entered the game in the seventh inning as a defensive replacement behind the plate for rookie Kyle Teel. He made a quick trip to the batter's box, flying out to center field to end the frame. By the eighth, however, manager Will Venable handed him the ball to preserve the bullpen. Over two innings, Lee gave up one run on four hits and two walks across 31 pitches.
mixing in a Statcast-recorded 89.5 mph fastball with a comical 42.8 mph floater that drew laughs after crossing the plate. The 25-year-old had to borrow gear to make it work, first using shortstop Colson Montgomery's glove in the eighth before switching to one from All-Star pitcher Shane Smith in the ninth. "He was proud. Obviously, I thanked him for using his glove," Lee said of Smith. "As a catcher, you throw a lot, so I think my arm is in shape for that"
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