Astros Rally Late to Defeat White Sox 9-5

Late Surge Defines Houston Win

The Houston Astros overcame an early deficit with a decisive offensive explosion in the sixth inning, defeating the Chicago White Sox 9-5 at Rate Field on Friday. The victory improved Houston’s record to 51-54, while the White Sox fell to 54-48.

Chicago took control early, building a 5-0 lead by the end of the fifth inning. The White Sox offense was active in the first inning, scoring three runs. C. Montgomery hit a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Antonacci to score.

B. Montgomery followed with a single to right field, driving in Murakami, while Vargas advanced to third. Meidroth was then hit by a pitch, allowing Vargas to score and advancing Peters to second.

The White Sox extended their advantage in the fifth inning. Benintendi scored on a wild pitch by Houston pitcher Kai-Wei Teng, with B. Montgomery also advancing to second on the same play. This sequence occurred twice, followed by Meidroth doubling to center field to score B. Montgomery, pushing the lead to 5-0.

Sixth Inning Turns Tide

Houston’s offense woke up in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring eight runs to take the lead. Wade Jr. singled to right field, bringing Alvarez home to make it 5-1. The rally continued as Walker doubled to left field, driving in Paredes, Wade Jr., and Altuve to give Houston a 6-5 advantage.

Smith added to the momentum with a home run to left field, measuring 383 feet, which scored Walker and extended the lead to 7-5. Altuve reached on an infield single to shortstop, allowing Peña to score, making it 8-5. Wade Jr. then walked, bringing Alvarez home for the final run of the inning, making the score 9-5.

Pitching and Final Outings

Kai-Wei Teng earned the win for Houston, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing two earned runs. He was supported by relief pitchers Bennett Sousa, Bryan Abreu, and Steven Okert, who combined to shut down the White Sox for the remainder of the game. Josh Hader closed the game with a scoreless inning, striking out two batters.

Davis Martin started for Chicago, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits. Bryan Hudson took the loss, pitching 0.7 innings and allowing four earned runs. Seranthony Dominguez and Trevor Richards pitched for the White Sox, with Richards striking out three batters in 2.0 innings. Chris Murphy pitched the final inning, allowing one earned run.

The game drew an attendance of 28,657 spectators. Houston’s Vázquez added a ground-rule double in the ninth inning, scoring Trammell, though the outcome was already determined.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816247