Photo: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Orioles Power Past White Sox as Missed Chances Pile Up

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Besnik Zekiri | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 3:01 AM ET

Jackson Holliday and Jorge Mateo homered off Davis Martin in the Baltimore Orioles 4–2 win Friday night, a start that, if you believe the trade deadline whisper network, should have playoff contenders foaming at the mouth. Because when October-bound teams look to load up for a deep run, they typically prioritize four-run outings from back-end arms.

Martin, who has been floated in early speculation as a potential deadline piece, allowed four runs on five hits, one walk, and struck out three over six innings. It was a serviceable start, but the Chicago White Sox offense once again left it out to dry.

Missed Chances Pile Up

Despite collecting eight hits and drawing six walks, the White Sox didn’t get the leadoff man aboard until the seventh inning, doing so again in the eighth and ninth. Mike Tauchman delivered three hits, his third multi-hit game this week, and doubled with one out in the fifth before scoring on Andrew Benintendi’s two-out RBI single.

Benintendi with an RBI to put the Sox on the board pic.twitter.com/E0tIUS2gtx
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) May 31, 2025

In the seventh, Tauchman plated Vinny Capra, who had led off with a double down the left field line, to cut the lead to 4–2.

Tauchman's 3rd hit of the day pic.twitter.com/gZghMyJeuV
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) May 31, 2025

But the offense sputtered again when it mattered most. The Pale Hose came up empty in the eighth after Austin Slater drew a leadoff walk, then failed to cash in with two on and one out in the ninth following walks from Tauchman and Benintendi.

The South Siders went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners, something that occurs more regularly than a Sox fan asking, “Why is this guy hitting cleanup?”

Tempers Flare After Mayo–Sosa Dustup

Martin didn’t allow another hit after Holliday’s leadoff homer in the first until Ryan O’Hearn doubled with one out in the fourth. O’Hearn scored on a single from Coby Mayo, who got caught in a rundown after tripping over himself trying to draw contact with Lenyn Sosa at second base.

Sosa took exception to Mayo’s flop attempt, and Mayo responded with a push, prompting the benches and bullpens to empty. After some shoving and shouting, order was restored, but the Orioles never looked back.

News and Notes

The White Sox finished May with an 11–17 record.

Luis Robert Jr. .182/.269/.294 (17-for-87) in May with four doubles, one homer, eight runs, 11 RBIs, six walks, nine stolen bases, and 31 strikeouts.

What’s On Tap Next?

Adrian Houser will take the mound in the series finale Sunday, looking to stop the bleeding and avoid a sweep. Charlie Morton, owner of a 7.04 ERA, opposes him for Baltimore.

First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. CT on CHSN.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: