The Chicago White Sox came into Houston with plenty to prove, and they delivered in a big way Tuesday night, defeating the Houston Astros 6-3 in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.
Chicago jumped on Houston early, built a five-run advantage and then held off a late Astros push to take a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three matchup.
White Sox Strike Early
Chicago wasted little time putting pressure on Houston.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the White Sox added two more runs in the second. Sam Antonacci delivered a two-run single, helping Chicago establish a 3-0 advantage before Houston could settle into the game.
The White Sox never surrendered that early momentum.
Colson Montgomery Provides the Big Blow
One of the biggest moments came in the fourth inning when Colson Montgomery launched a towering solo home run that traveled an estimated 432 feet to center field.
The blast pushed Chicago’s advantage to 4-0 and gave the White Sox another jolt of momentum.
Montgomery entered the postseason after hitting 31 home runs during the regular season, and his long ball immediately became one of Chicago’s biggest highlights of the night.
Houston Tries to Rally
The Astros finally got on the board in the fifth inning.
Nelson Velázquez hit a two-run homer with two outs, cutting Chicago’s lead to 5-2 and briefly giving Houston some life.
But Chicago answered again.
A wild pitch in the seventh inning allowed the White Sox to add another run, restoring their four-run advantage.
White Sox Pitching Holds Firm
Chicago’s bullpen deserves significant credit for protecting the lead.
Both teams entered the game using bullpen-heavy approaches, with Chicago opening with rookie left-hander Hagen Smith. Smith worked three scoreless innings while allowing only two hits.
The White Sox pitching staff repeatedly made big pitches when Houston threatened.
The Astros did create another opportunity in the eighth inning, but an error allowed one run to score rather than producing the big rally Houston needed. Chicago’s bullpen then closed the door in the ninth.
Astros Face Elimination
The loss puts Houston in a difficult position.
The Astros, who won the AL West with an 81-81 record, now have to win Wednesday’s Game 2 to keep their season alive. Hunter Brown is scheduled to start for Houston.
For Chicago, the victory is especially significant because it is the franchise’s first postseason win since October 10, 2021, when the White Sox also defeated Houston in the AL Division Series.
Final Takeaway
The White Sox didn’t simply steal Game 1 — they controlled the game from the opening innings and forced Houston to play catch-up for most of the night.
Antonacci provided the early offensive spark, Montgomery supplied the signature home run and Chicago’s pitching did enough to prevent the Astros from completing a comeback.
Now the White Sox are one victory away from advancing.
Final: White Sox 6, Astros 3
Series: Chicago leads 1-0
Next: Game 2, Wednesday in Houston.
