Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth smacked a line drive to the left field wall. With two outs in the seventh inning and down by a run, Colson Montgomery made a bold attempt to score from first base. New York Yankees left fielder Max Schuemann executed a precise one-hop throw to shortstop Anthony Volpe, who then threw Montgomery out at home plate.
Montgomery remarked on the play, saying, “With two outs, we all rely on Justin Jirschele, who is one of the top third-base coaches. He reads the game well.” Montgomery felt he had a good jump off the base, but acknowledged the solid relay from the Yankees. “They’re also great players,” he added.
The Yankees extended their lead with a four-run eighth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Ali Sánchez, securing a 9-5 victory in front of 22,357 fans at Rate Field on Monday. The Sox had initially taken a three-run lead, only to lose the opener of the four-game series.
Reflecting on the Yankees, Montgomery said, “They’re a strong veteran team. Even though we had a 3-0 lead, there wasn’t any complacency. We knew they’d keep the pressure on.”
Sox pitcher Noah Schultz started the game, delivering during the first inning against the Yankees. However, his night ended in the fourth inning after allowing three runs on two hits, coupled with five strikeouts and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. Manager Will Venable noted the challenges Schultz faced, saying, “Each of the strikeouts was on full counts, showing how hard they worked against him.” Venable still considered it a step forward for Schultz.
“It’s unfortunate,” Schultz commented, recognizing the obstacles in the fourth inning. He praised Catcher Edgar Quero for calling a great game, admitting to feeling exhausted toward the end.
In the fourth inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a double against reliever Chris Murphy, driving in two runs to tie the score. Chisholm later scored, pushing the Yankees ahead 4-3. Colson Montgomery’s RBI single in the fifth inning tied the game once more.
The Yankees took the lead again in the seventh after a two-out RBI single by Ben Rice against Bryan Hudson. The Sox had a chance in the bottom of the seventh, but Montgomery was thrown out at the plate.
“It was a good aggressive call with two outs,” Venable stated about Montgomery’s attempt. The Yankees extended their lead in the eighth, with Sean Newcomb yielding four runs, including Sánchez’s milestone home run.
Despite the Sox’s efforts, the game was riddled with defensive missteps, contributing to the defeat. An error in the ninth allowed another run, but Yankees pitcher David Bednar ended the game by striking out Meidroth, clinching the win. Venable expressed disappointment in the defensive play, highlighting its impact on the game.
Reflecting on the loss, Montgomery stated, “The Yankees are formidable and never give up. Games against accomplished teams serve as crucial learning experiences as we progress into the final months of the season.”