The Chicago White Sox emerged victorious in a wild, rain-interrupted game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night, snapping a four-game losing streak with a 6-5 win in 10 innings. The game featured a go-ahead single by Tommy Pham in the top of the 10th, a three-hour rain delay with two outs in the bottom of the inning, and a dramatic finish as Tanner Banks struck out pinch-hitter Iván Herrera to secure the save.
Pham Delivers Clutch Hit in Extra Innings
With the game tied at 5-5 in the top of the 10th inning, Tommy Pham stepped up to the plate and delivered a crucial single to left field off Cardinals reliever Ryan Fernandez. The hit drove in automatic runner Rafael Ortega, giving the White Sox a 6-5 lead and setting the stage for a tense finish.
Pham’s timely hit was a welcome sight for the White Sox, who had been struggling offensively during their four-game losing streak. The veteran outfielder, known for his competitive nature and ability to come through in clutch situations, provided the spark the team needed to break out of their slump.
“I was just looking for a pitch I could drive,” Pham said after the game. “I knew we needed to score that run, and I was determined to make it happen. It feels great to contribute to a big win like this.”
Rain Delay Adds to the Drama
With the White Sox clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th inning, the game took a bizarre turn when a heavy downpour forced a delay of over three hours. The interruption came with two outs and the bases loaded, as Cardinals batter Masyn Winn was at the plate facing White Sox reliever John Brebbia.
The sudden onset of the rain created a surreal scene at Busch Stadium, with players, coaches, and fans scrambling for cover. As the delay dragged on, speculation mounted about whether the game would be suspended or resumed, adding to the tension and uncertainty.
“I’ve never been part of anything like that before,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “But I’m happy to have been a part of it. I’m happy to have been on the right end of that one because that would have been a tough one to lose.”
Banks Seals the Victory
When play finally resumed after the lengthy delay, the White Sox turned to reliever Tanner Banks to close out the game. Banks, who had not recorded a save in his major league career, was tasked with facing pinch-hitter Iván Herrera with the bases loaded and two outs.
In a high-pressure situation, Banks rose to the challenge. He needed just four pitches to strike out Herrera, sealing the victory for the White Sox and earning his first career save. The dramatic finish capped off a wild and unpredictable game that tested the resolve of both teams.
“I came into the game not really thinking about the bases loaded, two outs situation,” Banks said. “When they called strike three, it was a big sigh of relief because, one, we’d been waiting for forever, but also because we’d won, and that’s the goal. Just to see a plan come together and finish.”
Offensive Highlights and Pitching Performances
While Pham’s go-ahead single and Banks’ save grabbed the headlines, several other players made significant contributions to the White Sox victory. Korey Lee tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth inning with a two-run single off Cardinals reliever Andrew Kittredge, while Michael Kopech pitched a scoreless ninth inning to keep the White Sox in the game.
On the Cardinals’ side, Nolan Arenado continued his strong start to the season with his second home run, a solo shot in the fifth inning that gave St. Louis a temporary 5-3 lead. Brendan Donovan also had a strong game, snapping an 0-for-11 skid with a two-run double earlier in the fifth.
Neither starting pitcher had their best stuff on the night, with the White Sox’s Erick Fedde allowing five runs on four hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings, while the Cardinals’ Lance Lynn surrendered five runs, three earned, on four hits and three walks in five-plus innings.
Looking Ahead
The win was a much-needed boost for the White Sox, who had been struggling coming into the game. With the victory, they improved to 11-23 on the season and will look to build on this momentum as they continue their series against the Cardinals.
For the Cardinals, the loss was a tough one to swallow, especially given the dramatic circumstances. However, they remain in a strong position in the NL Central with a 16-16 record and will aim to bounce back in the series finale on Sunday.
Both teams will send left-handers to the mound in the rubber match, with Garrett Crochet (1-4, 5.97 ERA) starting for the White Sox and Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 2.76 ERA) making his first start of the season for the Cardinals in what is shaping up to be a bullpen game for St. Louis.
Key Takeaways
- The Chicago White Sox snapped a four-game losing streak with a dramatic 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings.
- Tommy Pham delivered the go-ahead single in the top of the 10th inning, driving in automatic runner Rafael Ortega.
- The game was interrupted by a three-hour rain delay with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning.
- Tanner Banks earned his first career save by striking out Iván Herrera with the bases loaded to end the game.
- Nolan Arenado homered for the Cardinals, while Korey Lee tied the game with a two-run single for the White Sox in the sixth inning.
