It took just one inning for the White Sox to take control in Friday’s series opener against the Giants.
After going hitless over the first three frames, the offense exploded in the fourth for the club’s highest scoring inning since May 7, 2023, when they hung 11 runs on the Reds. Back-to-back hit-by-pitches and a Colson Montgomery infield single loaded the bases for Chase Meidroth, who drew a walk to force in the game’s first run. Andrew Benintendi followed by splitting the gap for a two-run double to make it 3-0, and things turned into a revolving door from there. Edgar Quero brought home another on a fielder’s choice, while Derek Hill added an RBI single to push the lead to five.
With things unraveling, first-year Giants manager Tony Vitello turned to Ryan Borucki, who originally signed a minor league deal with the Sox during spring training before his release. The reliever promptly plunked the human ball magnet, Sam Antonacci, who reached base via hit-by-pitch for the second time in the inning … yes, you read that correctly.
That set the stage for Munetaka Murakami, who blew the game wide open with a bases-clearing, three-run double. Miguel Vargas capped the nine-run inning with an RBI single for good measure, putting the Sox up by a touchdown and safety.
On the bump, Davis Martin cruised through four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. A pair of walks and some timely Giants hitting led to three runs, but San Francisco never posed much of a threat after that. Martin allowed one more in the sixth to finish with a line of 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, and the bullpen handled the rest.
After Friday’s victory, the White Sox are back to two games above .500 at 26-24 overall. The Guardians pushed their win streak to seven, leaving the South Siders 3.5 games back of first in the AL Central as they maintain their solo second positioning in the AL Wild Card.
Box Score
Batting:
Pitching:
Scoring Summary
- Top 4th:
- With the bases loaded, Chase Meidroth draws a walk. White Sox lead 1-0.
- Andrew Benintendi doubles (8) on a line drive to center fielder Harrison Bader. Munetaka Murakami and Colson Motngomery score. White Sox lead 3-0.
- Edgar Quero reaches on a fielder’s choice, scoring Chase Meidroth. White Sox lead 4-0.
- Derek Hill singles on a ground ball to right fielder Drew Gilbert. Andrew Benintendi scores. White Sox lead 5-0.
- Munetaka Murakami clears the bases with a line drive double (3) to left field. Edgar Quero, Derek Hill, and Sam Antonacci all score. White Sox lead 8-0.
- Miguel Vargas singles on a ground ball to shortstop Willy Adames, who also committed a throwing error. Munetaka Murakami scores. White Sox lead 9-0.
- Bottom 5th:
- Willy Adames grounds into a force out, shortstop Colson Montgomery to second baseman Chase Meidroth. Jesus Rodriguez scores. Giants trail 9-1.
- Luis Arraez drives in Drew Gilbert on a single to left field. Giants trail 9-2.
- Casey Schmitt grounds out to shortstop as Willy Adames scores. Giants trail 9-3.
- Bottom 6th:
- Jesus Rodriguez grounds out to third baseman Miguel Vargas, allowing Matt Chapman to score. Giants trail 9-4.
Key Performers
Munetaka Murakami: 1-for-3, 2B (3), 3 RBI, BB, HBP, 2 R, 2 K
Mune’s bases-clearing double turned the game into a blowout and comfortably put it out of reach. He also started the inning with a hit-by-pitch, because the dude just gets on base.
Andrew Benintendi: 1-for-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI, R
Benny really opened the scoring with a two-run double in the fourth. The tape on his helmet, courtesy of Antonacci, has been doing wonders.
Davis Martin: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Martin was solid for the majority of his outing, looking like the form we’ve grown accustomed to thus far this season. Some command issues brought home four earned, but the righty still managed to pitch into the sixth.
Next Game
Erick Fedde (0-4, 4.30 ERA) gets the nod in Saturday’s matinee against an old friend in Adrian Houser (2-4, 5.25 ERA). First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m. CDT.
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Featured Photo: © John Hefti-Imagn Images
