Chris Flexen was cruising through five innings. The 30-year-old right-hander, who owns one of the lowest strikeout rates in the MLB had already punched out five Angels hitters and needed 74 just pitches to record 15 outs. However, with the score tied at zero, it was still unclear if he could last long enough to earn a bonus in his contract.
Flexen signed a one-year, $1,750,000 deal with the White Sox this offseason. Per CHGO’s Sean Anderson, the contract included a clause of receiving a $250,000 bonus for passing 75 innings, 100 innings 125 innings, and 160 innings. Entering Thursday’s start against the Angels, Fexlen sat at 153.2 innings pitched, just 6.1 shy of earning another $250,000 bonus.
Roughly 500 miles away in Pittsburgh, Rowdy Tellez faced a similar situation earlier in the week. The 29-year-old, who will hit free agency at the end of the season, was set to receive a $200,000 bonus. All he needed was four more plate appearances and with five games left in the Pirates season, it seemed almost certain he would unlock his bonus. But the Pirates decided to release him on September 25.
The White Sox have proven they are not above the Pirates’ pathetic display of cost-saving measures. But on Thursday they decided to do right by their player. Chris Getz allowed Flexen to finish the season with the team and Grady Sizemore gave him a long enough leash to go deep into the game. Doing right by players is one of the perks of having two former players calling the shots. It’s a small gesture. But nickel and diming players is a great way to scare off potential free agents.
Flexen still needed to perform. Entering Thursday’s start, he only had two starts in which he pitched into the seventh inning. Both times he went exactly 6.1 innings. But he also needed a little help from his teammates, which he received when the offense erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth, giving him enough cushion to get the job done.
After throwing a 1-2-3 sixth inning, Flexen unlocked his bonus by striking out Brandon Dury with a 79 mph slider in the seventh. It marked his seventh strikeout of the day, the highest single-game mark he has recorded all season. Flexen was lifted from the game a batter later after allowing his second hit of the inning but walked off the field to a standing ovation. His final line was 6.1 scoreless innings with five hits and one walk. It was a well-deserved victory for Flexen, who only has three on the season. After setting a franchise record for 23 consecutive winless starts Flexen finished the season with a 4.95 ERA and $200,000 richer.
