A scuffling Chicago White Sox team fought back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game, only to watch St. Louis Cardinals catcher Leo Bernal hit a solo home run off Grant Taylor. After yet another gut punch delivered in the eighth inning, the White Sox were staring at their fifth straight loss.
Then, in a season full of surprises, a truly shocking moment was delivered by Randal Grichuk.
Grichuk’s two-run homer in the ninth inning just barely cleared the right-field wall gave the White Sox a much-needed 6-5 victory over the Cardinals. Paired with losses by Cleveland and Houston, the White Sox go back to being 1.5 games ahead.
RANDAL GRICHUK GIVES US THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/wqtUvpvy58
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 13, 2026
Before Grichuk’s heroic blast, Brenton Doyle flirted with danger on the basepaths with Munetaka Murakami batting. He was almost picked off at first base, but after a second attempt, Doyle tried to steal second base. The throw was on target, and Doyle was initially called out -- but Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn dropped the ball for a bit of good luck going the White Sox way.
Offensively, the White Sox did a good job of taking their walks and pitches off the body. A total of seven walks, twice with the bases loaded, and three HBPs gave the Sox 10 free base runners. Add six hits, and the White Sox had plenty of scoring opportunities.
In the fifth inning, Grichuk didn’t take full advantage of the bases loaded with no outs. He grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. While it did score a run, it put Tristan Peters in a tough spot with two outs. But on a lower sinker, Peters lined a base hit to center field, tying the game at 4. The White Sox finished 3-for-11 with RISP, a massive improvement compared to recent games.
On the pitching side, the southpaws looked good. Sean Newcomb was strong as the opener, striking out four batters over 1.1 innings. Hagen Smith continues to impress as he posted two more scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Bryan Hudson pitched a clean ninth inning for his eighth save.
Taylor had a rough eighth inning, and then there’s Luis Castillo. At this point, it’s hard to tell what situation is best for Castillo. Manager Will Venable went to Castillo after Newcomb allowed his one base hit. That was a mistake, as Castillo quickly made a mess of things, allowing three straight hits. St. Louis had a 3-0 lead, and things appeared dour.
But for a night, White Sox fans can ignore the problems and enjoy replays of a home run that might be this 2026’s version of Joe Crede in 2005.
Game Notes
- Sam Antonacci went 2-for-4 with a HBP
- Kyle Teel went hitless batting second, but did walk twice
- Colson Montgomery batted eighth taking a bases loaded walk and HBP. He was pinch ran for by Luisangel Acuna, who stole his 17th base but got stranded
- Hagen Smith has a 0.45 ERA this season.
