Reds Beat White Sox in Extra Innings Thriller

Sam Antonacci faced an intense at-bat as the Chicago White Sox attempted a 10th-inning comeback against the Cincinnati Reds. The team was a run behind with an automatic runner starting on second. Antonacci battled to a full count, fouling off multiple pitches before Emilio Pagán struck him out on the 14th pitch. This stall eventually led to the White Sox falling 5-4, with the game played before a full house of 38,113 at Rate Field.

The White Sox initially seized the momentum with three home runs, establishing a substantial four-run lead. Strong performances were overshadowed, particularly Sean Burke’s standout pitching. Burke, who allowed only one run and three hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts, noted, “I’d trade that performance for a win.” Despite his singular lapse, a solo home run by Eugenio Suárez in the fifth, Burke kept the Reds at bay until later innings.

Antonacci contributed earlier in the game, driving in a run with a double in the fourth inning, extending the lead. Burke didn’t allow further hits until the fifth. He conceded a sixth-inning single and a seventh-inning double, maintaining his dominance otherwise.

Manager Will Venable praised Burke’s performance, “He was awesome, really outdid himself again with those seven innings. His slider was excellent tonight.”

The Sox had built a solid 3-0 foundation with solo home runs by Brenton Doyle, Edgar Quero, and Miguel Vargas in the first four innings. Each home run celebrated the promotional night, featuring a pope hat theme for returning players.

The Reds sparked offense against the Sox bullpen in the eighth. Matt McLain reached on an infield single, followed by Michael Toglia’s bloop hit. Elly De La Cruz’s single added an RBI, narrowing the lead to 4-2. Ties came through Tyler Stephenson’s right-field single, leveling the score 4-4. Manager Venable commented on the unfortunate progression, “Infield single, then a bloop… part of baseball.”

Sox opportunities dwindled in later innings. Munetaka Murakami hit a double stranded in the eighth, and Quero’s ninth-inning fly out fell short at the warning track. “I thought it had a chance,” Quero reflected, noting its exit velocity.

In the 10th inning, Reds executed efficiently. McLain advanced to third on a flyout, scoring via a sacrifice fly by De La Cruz. The White Sox lineup failed to respond in their final opportunity; Antonacci’s strikeout was followed by two pop outs, concluding the game.

Reds’ relievers notably excelled, retiring 18 of 19 batters. Venable remarked, “The offense was strong at first against Lodolo; we had our swings, but momentum faded.”