The Chicago White Sox secured a 7-3 victory against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series, overcoming a slim lead to win the series 2-0.
Early in the fifth inning, the Sox lead, which had been four runs, was cut down to one. Anthony Kay was called to pitch with two Astros on base and one out. Kay successfully retired Yordan Alvarez with a line out to left field, but a walk to Isaac Paredes loaded the bases for Jose Altuve. Altuve, who had already hit a home run that game, lined out to right field, keeping the score in favor of the White Sox.
Chase Meidroth provided crucial insurance runs with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, shifting momentum decisively to the Sox and sealing the win. This win, in front of 36,015 fans at Daikin Park, advances the Sox to face the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series. The series starts Saturday at Progressive Field.
The White Sox started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning. Sam Antonacci hit a leadoff double and scored on Kyle Teel’s single. A fielding error allowed Miguel Vargas to reach base, followed by Andrew Benintendi’s RBI single, which scored two more runs. Benintendi soon crossed home on Tristan Peters’ single, giving the Sox a 4-0 lead and prompting the Astros to pull pitcher Hunter Brown, who conceded four runs in just two-thirds of an inning.
The Astros responded with solo home runs from Jeremy Peña in the first and Cam Smith in the second, reducing the deficit to 4-2. Altuve’s home run in the fourth brought them within one run. Sox starter Sean Burke allowed these three runs on four hits over four innings, striking out five without walking a batter.
In the fifth inning, the Sox navigated out of danger thanks to Kay’s pitching. Afterward, the Sox offense reignited in the sixth. Andrew Benintendi and Tristan Peters both drew walks, setting the stage for Meidroth’s home run off Bryan Abreu.
This triumph marks the White Sox’s first postseason series win since their 2005 World Series championship, demonstrating resilience and timely offense throughout the series.