The Chicago White Sox couldn’t quite make history against the Atlanta Braves, thanks to a crucial hit by Andrew Benintendi in the seventh inning. Benintendi’s single prevented a no-hitter against Braves starter Grant Holmes, though the team still fell 2-0 before an audience of 17,052 at Rate Field.
White Sox manager Will Venable praised Holmes, stating, “Everyone that we saw was solid, especially Holmes. He controlled the zone well and pitched in challenging areas.” Despite early hard swings, the Sox couldn’t generate enough offense, gaining just a single hit throughout the game.
Holmes, along with three relievers, limited Chicago to one hit. Holmes pitched six-plus innings, allowing three walks and striking out three batters. “The slider was trouble for us,” recounted Sox catcher Drew Romo.
This game was a makeup for an earlier June 11th game postponed due to storms. Venable commended the fans for their support during this midweek outing.
Braves starter Grant Holmes reflected, “How the day was going, I felt like I could throw it anywhere and they’d hit it to someone. My focus was on filling up the zone and getting quick outs.”
Holmes initially retired the first five Sox, with Colson Montgomery breaking the streak with a walk in the second inning. Despite hard hits from Miguel Vargas and Braden Montgomery, the Sox couldn’t manage another base runner until the sixth inning, when Romo walked.
In the seventh, the Sox, trailing 2-0, had their best opportunity. Vargas drew a walk and Benintendi secured a single on a 3-1 slider, prompting Holmes’ exit after 94 pitches. Yet reliever Didier Fuentes stymied the Sox rally by striking out three consecutive batters.
Despite the loss, the first-place White Sox maintain a 3½ game lead over the Minnesota Twins. White Sox designated hitter Andrew Benintendi struck out to end the game, reflecting the hard-fought nature of the match.
Anthony Kay started for the Sox, allowing two runs and five hits over six-plus innings, netting six strikeouts and one walk. “Our game plan was solid,” Kay said, “with me and Drew executing well.” Venable highlighted Kay’s effective sweeper, a pitch Kay worked on between starts.
Austin Riley drove both Braves runs, first via an RBI double off Kay in the third inning, and then an RBI single off reliever Huascar Brazobán in the seventh, scoring Michael Harris II, who had doubled off Kay.
The Braves, despite being 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, did enough to secure a win against the Sox. Kay acknowledged the challenge, stating, “Facing top teams like them demands being on your A-game.”