White Sox rally past Twins 6-5 on Labor Day as Montgomery and Meidroth pace win at Target Field
Colson Montgomery kept his late-season surge going, opening September with a bang after a historic August. The Chicago rookie launched a 395-foot solo homer to start the second inning against Minnesota, his 16th on the year, while fellow freshman Chase Meidroth followed with a two-run shot to left in the same frame. That sequence sparked a three-run inning and gave the White Sox a quick lead.
“Colson set the tone,” Meidroth said after the game. “We’re just trying to string at-bats together and stay aggressive.”
The Twins fought back, aided by a pair of Sox defensive misplays that helped narrow the gap. But Chicago answered in the eighth, when Baldwin and Tauchman delivered back-to-back RBI doubles off reliever Justin Topa to swing a 4-4 game into a 6-4 lead, and the bullpen closed it out.
Montgomery also described the momentum shift: every at-bat felt like a new opportunity, and he credited the preparation and scouting for helping the team stay in the fight through a tense contest.
The bullpen, used extensively in the opener of this four-game series, logged seven pitchers. Fraser Ellard got the start as the opener, with the left-hander recalled from Triple-A Charlotte along with infielder Bryan Ramos before Monday’s game. Jordan Leasure earned the save, helping the Sox persevere through a game that nearly slipped away.
Curtis Mead contributed three hits for Chicago, including his own continued hot stretch at the plate, and Meidroth’s early blast was a key spark in the rally. The Twins briefly grabbed the lead with a seventh-inning RBI by Brooks Lee, but the Sox answered quickly in the eighth and held on for the 6-5 victory.
Key notes:
– Montgomery: 395-foot homer in the second, his 10th of August carried into a sharp September start; now tied to 16 homers on the season.
– Meidroth: Two-run homer in the second; four long balls on the year for him.
– Curtis Mead: Three hits, providing additional punch atop the lineup.
– Baldwin and Tauchman: Late-inning back-to-back RBI doubles to reclaim the lead.
– Cubs? No, Twins: a late push but Chicago clinches the win.
– Record lines: Sox improve to 50-88; they’re 11-30 in one-run games, highlighting how tight contests have been this season.
– Bullpen: Broadened usage with seven pitchers; Ellard’s opener and Leasure’s save were notable for endurance and versatility.
Additional value and context:
– This win showcases the White Sox’ ongoing development of their young core, with Montgomery and Meidroth delivering in big moments and Mead contributing key multi-hit performances.
– The late-inning rally demonstrates the team’s resilience and ability to manufacture offense in clutch spots, a favorable sign as veterans and rookies alike gain experience in tight games.
– While the season record remains challenging, these kinds of performances can build confidence and cohesion for the remainder of the schedule.
Summary:
A Labor Day romp for a White Sox offense powered by Montgomery’s early homer and Meidroth’s follow-up blast, followed by a decisive eighth-inning rally capped by Baldwin and Tauchman, sealed a 6-5 win over the Twins as the bullpen held strong. The evening underscored the value of timely hitting and bullpen depth in close games, and gave fans a hopeful glimpse of Chicago’s growing youth movement.