White Sox Bats Stay Silent in Queens as Mets Walk It Off in Series Opener

The Pale Hose went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, which, paired with their distinct lack of power, has become their go-to recipe for losing. And lose they did, wasting a strong start from Adrian Houser in the series opener, his second straight outing without meaningful run support.

Houser gave them everything they could ask for and more. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings and pitched into the seventh before a base hit and walk ended his day. He allowed just three hits, walked three, and struck out six.

Since joining the Sox after being cut loose by Texas, Houser has thrown 12 shutout innings, surrendering just five hits and four walks while striking out eight.

The Bullpen Roulette Wheel Spins Again

But in the White Sox universe, run prevention and run production never seem to sync up, especially when the bullpen is involved.

Brandon Eisert entered the game to clean up Houser’s seventh-inning mess and managed to do just that, after a fielder’s choice, a ground out, a walk to load the bases, and a strikeout of Jeff McNeil.

The game predictably unraveled in the eighth.

Francisco Alvarez led off the inning with a single off Cam Booser. After a strikeout of Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo’s single put runners at the corners with one out. Juan Soto then lifted a sac fly to score Alvarez and tie the game.

Steven Wilson entered and intentionally walked Pete Alonso. He then hit Starling Marte to load the bases (because, of course, he did) but managed to escape by inducing a lineout from Brett Baty.

The Ninth Inning Script Writes Itself

Wilson stayed in for the ninth and this time didn’t even bother with the drama—he just went full chaos.

A leadoff double, another intentional walk, and a single loaded the bases with nobody out. Lindor then hit a sac fly to center to bring in the winning run. Ballgame. Mets win 2–1. Sox lose. Again.

News and Notes

• Chase Meidroth went 0-for-3 with two walks, ending his 12-game hitting streak.

• Luis Robert Jr. stole his 21st base of the season and has now swiped a bag in four straight games.

What’s On Tap Next?

The Sox will try to even things up Tuesday night in Queens. Rookie Shane Smith gets the start, and while he’s still looking for a result to match his effort, the club is 1–9 in his starts, so fingers crossed. Tyler Megill takes the ball for the Mets.

First pitch is at 6:10 PM CT and will air on CHSN.