Tim Elko gave his mom one heck of a Mother’s Day present Sunday.
The freshly promoted White Sox first baseman collected his first major league hit in a big way, belting a tie-breaking, three-run home run off Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara to deliver a 4-2 win over the Marlins.
After the game, he gifted his mom, Cheryl, the home-run ball and the special pink bat he used to send it over the fence.
Elko, 26, has given his mom a quarter-century’s worth of Mother’s Day gifts, but this one has to be the best, right?
“It’ll probably be up there,” he said after the game. “It’s not worth any money, which helps the wallet. But it’s a cool moment, for sure.”
Elko’s dinger was a gift for Sox fans, too, who had spent weeks clamoring for his call-up from Triple-A Charlotte amid his hot start to the season. He finally arrived in the big leagues Saturday.
Drafted in the 10th round in 2022, he perhaps wasn’t expected to have a big role to play in the Sox’ long-term future. But he hit every step of the way in the minor leagues and has started his major league career with a bang.
“I don’t expect anything less from him,” starting pitcher Sean Burke said. “He’s that kind of guy. He’s done that every step of the way. It’s really cool to see. I’m happy to be a part of his journey and see him come up through the minors and be here and continue being who he is.”
Manager Will Venable’s forecast of a first-base timeshare between Elko and Andrew Vaughn played out as advertised in Elko’s first two games with the Sox. Elko played first base Saturday and was the DH on Sunday. Vaughn, meanwhile, has an RBI knock in every game since news of Elko’s promotion hit, including solo homers in each of the first two games of the Sox’ series with the Marlins.
But as Vaughn, slated for free agency after next season, looks less and less likely to be part of the long-term plans on the South Side, Elko has a shot to slug his way into them.
“I want to come here and help us win games and do whatever I can to do that,” Elko said. “I was able to contribute today and check a few other boxes, too, which felt great.”
The old heave-ho
Venable and hitting coach Marcus Thames were ejected for arguing balls and strikes Sunday.
Home-plate umpire Bill Miller’s strike zone frustrated the Sox throughout the afternoon, with multiple players grumbling in his direction. Thames did more than grumble, shouting from the dugout to earn his ejection during Chase Meidroth’s fifth-inning at-bat.
Thames strode to the plate alongside Venable, who was also tossed after a few words with Miller.
“It was just one of those things where the frustration was building for some of the guys,” Venable said. “It was an emotional moment for a second.
“It kind of all happened fast. Everyone was under control. And Marcus is just fighting for the guys there, too. It’s one of those things.”
It was the first ejection as a manager for Venable, who’s in his first season as a big league skipper. Thames has been ejected six times during his coaching career.
Robert, Vargas rest up
Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. was out of the lineup for the second straight game with a sore right knee, and infielder Miguel Vargas missed his second straight game with an issue in his right calf area.
Both players’ injuries were described as minor by bench coach Walker McKinven, the Sox using Monday’s off day to get the duo an extended bit of rest.
