White Sox Surge to First Place with Win Over Braves

Davis Martin recently celebrated the Chicago White Sox’s remarkable rise to the top of the American League Central division. This achievement comes after the team lost over 100 games in each of the previous three seasons. For the first time since 2021, the White Sox find themselves leading their division this late in the season.

Martin, a right-handed pitcher, reflected on the transformation: “Being on the team in ’24 and ’25, reaching the ballpark with those teams was tough. Now, arriving at the field knowing we have a chance to win energizes you. It makes all the effort and the long road trips worthwhile. We have a group of entertainers who uplift each other. Every day at the park is eagerly anticipated.”

In front of 14,627 fans at Rate Field, the White Sox defeated the Atlanta Braves, who hold the best record in Major League Baseball, for the second night in a row with a 2-1 win. Martin (9-2) delivered six shutout innings, allowing six hits and striking out six. He outperformed former White Sox star and 2024 Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (8-5), who conceded two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Martin took a moment to appreciate the contest: “I looked up at the scoreboard and compared our career stats. Mine showed 250 strikeouts while his was in the thousands. Competing against players like him is the reason you strive to be in the big leagues.”

The White Sox (36-31) edged ahead of the Cleveland Guardians by half a game, buoyed by rookie Braden Montgomery’s two doubles. Derek Hill and Luisangel Acuna drove in runs during the fourth inning. Montgomery had made a dramatic debut the previous night with a walk-off home run. In Wednesday’s game, he doubled twice, hitting once right-handed off Sale and once left-handed off James Karinchak.

Montgomery, 23, commented on facing Sale: “Playing against a legendary pitcher requires finding the balance between blocking out his reputation and remaining focused to put together quality at-bats.”

The game saw Braden Montgomery being congratulated by teammate Jacob Gonzalez after scoring in the fourth inning. Meanwhile, shortstop Colson Montgomery missed his second consecutive game due to back tightness but plans to return to action soon. “It’s nothing serious,” he assured, explaining they opted for precaution due to increased discomfort.

Colson Montgomery missed the dramatic 6-5, 10-inning victory where Braden clinched the win with a memorable home run. “I had FOMO last night,” Colson said. Despite the public’s comparison of the Montgomeries, Colson insists, “There’s no rivalry; we’re close like brothers.”

This series also highlighted interactions within the Acuña family. Ronald Jr., a Braves outfielder, and Luisangel, a White Sox infielder, faced each other on the field for only the second time. During the series opener, they participated in the pregame lineup card exchange.

In Tuesday’s game, Ronald Acuña was hit by a pitch and then tagged out at second by his younger brother Luisangel, who had stepped in as shortstop for the injured Colson. Luisangel playfully noted through an interpreter, “He accused me of tricking him by not tagging him initially. Playing against him fulfilled my childhood dream of being here either with him or against him.” Unfortunately, Ronald suffered a hamstring injury in the fifth inning and was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Luisangel performed impressively on Wednesday, securing two hits, an RBI, stealing third base, and stretching for the plate on a fielder’s choice. His capable performance contributed to the White Sox’s recent success.

Jeff Vorva reports on this triumph for the Chicago Tribune.