Leury García’s 1st career walk-off home run gives the Chicago White Sox a 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox: ‘This is one of the best moments for me so far’

Leury García knew Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock has a good fastball.

Whitlock began the ninth inning of Sunday’s tied game by striking out Eloy Jiménez and Yasmani Grandal, the No. 4 and 5 hitters in the Chicago White Sox lineup.

García was up next, and the shortstop quickly fell behind in the count.

“When I was 0-2, my mind was still looking for a fastball because that’s one of the best pitches,” García said.

García got a fastball and hit it over the center-field wall for a home run, giving the White Sox a 2-1 victory in front of 36,178 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“I knew I hit it good, but it was (to) center field,” García said. “So I’m like, ‘You better go.’ ”

García tossed his helmet to the sky shortly after touching third base and was splashed with water by his teammates as he made his way home. It was the first walk-off home run of his career.

“Felt great, man, felt great,” García said. “Especially playing at home, this is one of the best moments for me so far.”

García’s home run allowed the White Sox to take two of three in the series. Their magic number for clinching the American League Central is nine.

“Right now it’s everything, all hands on deck until we clinch, and then we know where we’re going and that’s the playoffs,” White Sox starter Lance Lynn said. “You know that (the Red Sox) are fighting for a wild-card spot and they’re in the thick of things. But we haven’t clinched yet either, even though we have a lead (in the division). We’ve still got to do our thing.”

Lynn pitched five strong innings in his return from the injured list, allowing two hits and striking out nine. He went on the IL on Aug. 29 with right knee inflammation.

“Physically feel great,” Lynn said. “Outing went great. We won the game, so everything’s great. Like I said when I went on the IL, we’re trying to make sure we catch up to it so we can stay along with it. And I think we’re in a good spot.

“It’s something that’s not going to go away. We’ve just got to make sure we stay on course with it, make sure we do our day to day and things I need to do to make sure I’m ready to pitch the next time out. And I think we’ve got a good grasp on what that’s going to be.”

Lynn threw 70 pitches Sunday.

“He was sharp,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “Very sharp early. I thought right there toward the fifth he labored a little bit and that was a good time to get him. Pitch count is just one variable that you look at. You look at other stuff. He had given us what he (had). His pitch count was fairly low, but he started laboring in the fifth. He never labors competitively, but it was time to get him.”

Lynn left with the game scoreless. Luis Robert gave the White Sox the lead with an RBI single in the sixth.

The Red Sox tied it in the ninth. Kiké Hernández lined a double over Robert’s head in center against Craig Kimbrel, who was pitching for the third straight day.

After a strikeout, Kimbrel issued two walks. Alex Verdugo tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left.

“The way I look at that, you are going to have tough situations, but it’s really tough when you give up the run and all of a sudden they have two or three on the board,” La Russa said. “All they got was one. That run scored and he got the next guy out and we had a chance to win it.”

García came through with his fifth home run of the season.

Versatility on defense has always been one of García’s strengths, with his ability to play all three outfield positions as well as second, short and third.

“He’s really grounded,” La Russa said. “He doesn’t have big ups and downs. He doesn’t hide when he’s had a tough out or tough day. He doesn’t go crazy. He’s really one of the most popular teammates in the clubhouse because he’s got a sense of humor. He’s really solid. You look at his arm, switch hitting and playing every position.”

Recently he has filled in for injured shortstop Tim Anderson. Before the game, La Russa indicated Anderson is nearing a return from a left hamstring strain. He has been out since Aug. 29.

“Expectation, unless something develops between now and Tuesday, is that he will play Tuesday,” La Russa said.

García is excited to see Anderson back. And he looks forward to continuing to contribute in any fashion.

“We all miss Tim. Tim is one of the guys that keeps the dugout, clubhouse happy,” García said. “I try to do the best, man. I play outfield, infield. I’m still taking ground balls at short, second, third, and sometimes I’m taking fly balls. Just be ready.”

He was ready at the plate Sunday.

“What timing,” La Russa said. “We had the last hero.”

• White Sox playoff tracker: Magic number down to nine

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