White Sox Even Series Behind Houser’s Strong Start, Benintendi Blast

Usually Costly

The Sox tried to tack on an insurance run and somehow made it weirder than usual. Michael A. Taylor narrowly missed a home run, settling for a double off the wall. Josh Rojas followed with a single to left.

Taylor came flying around third and slid head-first into home plate without touching it. Andrew Knizner applied the tag, and Taylor was called out. Of course.

White Sox opponents typically make them pay for their creative way of keeping runs off the board. But that one swing, believe it or not, was enough.

Houser Throws a Gem

Adrian Houser, the pick-up from the Texas Rangers Triple-A scrapheap, continued his unexpected “actually good” tour by shoving for seven shutout innings. He allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out five on 88 pitches.

The only real trouble came in the fifth, when back-to-back singles and a two-strike balk put two runners in scoring position for Rafael Devers. But Houser struck him out, and Quero caught the lead runner at third trying to get cute. Heliot Ramos lined out to center to end the threat.

Bullpen Gets It Done

Rookie righty Grant Taylor handled the eighth and ninth innings, tossing two clean frames for the save: six up, six down, two punchouts, and no nonsense. Taylor has been outstanding since his surprise promotion to the big leagues, giving the White Sox a rare source of stability in a bullpen that’s mostly been chaos and crossed fingers.

News and Notes

Jonathan Cannon is back with the team after making a rehab start. He’s still technically on the IL with a back strain, but will reportedly start Sunday.

Right fielder Austin Slater made an outstanding catch at the wall, robbing Jung Hoo Lee of extra bases.

Despite tying the series at one apiece, the White Sox have been outscored 3–2 across the first two games. They’re 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position, and that one hit didn’t score a run—because, again, the runner missed home plate. This team is performance art.

What’s On Tap Next?

The Sox and Giants play the rubber match Sunday afternoon. Old nemesis Justin Verlander takes the mound for San Francisco. Cannon is unofficially the White Sox starter.

First pitch is 1:10 PM CT on CHSN.