HOUSTON — The Chicago White Sox faced a crucial moment in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros. With Tristan Peters on third and Drew Romo on first, there were no outs in what remained a scoreless game. The Astros brought their infield in as Sam Antonacci hit a grounder to shortstop Jeremy Peña, leading to Peters being thrown out at home.
On the first and third there with Tristan, you go right there and maybe you try and get into a rundown there but trying to stay out of the double play, which really hurts you,manager Will Venable remarked.
The Sox still had a chance with runners on first and second and just one out. Munetaka Murakami hit a single to right, but Romo hesitated and stopped at third. This strategic play emphasized caution and prevented potential mistakes.
Facing loaded bases, Miguel Vargas grounded into a double play, ending the inning. The Astros capitalized in the bottom of the eighth with Nelson Velázquez delivering a decisive two-out, two-run single. The final score stood at 2-0, with the Astros edging the Sox at Daikin Park in front of 24,025 attendees.
Despite the loss, the first-place Sox (73-66) maintained their lead in the American League Central by three games over the Cleveland Guardians (70-69), who lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 11-0 that day.
Sox starter Davis Martin showcased a strong performance, allowing only five hits, striking out three, and walking one over 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Martin, returning from injury, focused on a pitch-by-pitch approach, demonstrating control despite earlier challenges with a blister issue.
Earlier in the game, the Sox missed an opportunity when Chase Meidroth hit a soft line drive that second baseman Jose Altuve dropped. Although Altuve managed a force out, Andrew Benintendi, the runner on second, got into a rundown and was tagged out.
Astros starter Hayden Wesneski proved formidable, permitting just one hit over seven innings with five strikeouts and two walks. The Sox had their chances in the eighth against reliever AJ Blubaugh but failed to capitalize.
The decision of whether to pinch-run for Romo was considered. Venable expressed trust in Romo’s abilities, despite the missed scoring opportunities. In the bottom of the eighth, the Astros loaded the bases. After a controversial hit-by-pitch call, the Sox’s challenge did not change the ruling. Yet, a sharp single from Velázquez brought home the game’s only runs.
Reliever Josh Hader then closed out the ninth inning for the Astros, sealing the win for the home team. Despite the loss, Romo noted the team’s several missed scoring chances throughout the game, citing the collective effort required to convert opportunities.