The Chicago White Sox continued their impressive run atop the American League Central on Monday night, using timely hitting and a dominant late offensive surge to overpower the Texas Rangers 10-3 at Globe Life Field.
Veteran outfielder Andrew Benintendi delivered the game’s biggest hit with a clutch bases-clearing double, while Miguel Vargas enjoyed another outstanding performance at the plate as the White Sox pulled away from the Rangers and strengthened their position in the division race.
With the victory, Chicago remained one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central standings, while Texas was left searching for answers after another disappointing loss.
Benintendi’s Big Swing Changes the Game
The contest remained close through the early innings before Benintendi broke it open in the fifth.
After the White Sox loaded the bases against Rangers ace Jacob deGrom, rookie Colson Montgomery struck out, giving Texas a chance to escape the inning.
Instead, Benintendi came through in one of the biggest moments of the game.
He ripped a 2-2 pitch down the right-field line for a bases-clearing double, instantly turning a tight contest into a comfortable White Sox lead and shifting all momentum toward Chicago.
It proved to be the decisive blow against one of baseball’s premier pitchers.
Miguel Vargas Continues Hot Streak
While Benintendi delivered the game’s biggest hit, Miguel Vargas was the White Sox’s most consistent offensive force throughout the night.
The infielder collected three hits, drove in two runs, and scored another, continuing his productive stretch in the middle of Chicago’s lineup.
Vargas first got the White Sox on the scoreboard with an RBI double in the third inning before later adding an infield RBI single that helped set up Benintendi’s decisive bases-loaded opportunity.
He wasn’t finished.
During Chicago’s explosive ninth inning, Vargas added another RBI double to help cap one of the club’s best offensive performances of the season.
White Sox Finish Strong With Five-Run Ninth
Any hopes of a Rangers comeback disappeared in the final inning.
Leading by just two runs entering the ninth, Chicago erupted for five insurance runs, turning a competitive game into a convincing victory.
Vargas started the rally with another run-scoring double before Luisangel Acuña followed with a two-run single.
Randal Grichuk added an RBI triple, and Braden Montgomery finished the scoring with an RBI double as the White Sox piled on late.
The offensive outburst highlighted Chicago’s lineup depth and its ability to capitalize once opportunities presented themselves.
Rangers Strike Early but Can’t Maintain Momentum
Texas actually grabbed the early advantage.
Veteran slugger Joc Pederson launched a leadoff home run to open the game, immediately energizing the home crowd.
An inning later, Evan Carter drove in another run with an RBI single to extend the Rangers’ lead.
However, after those early runs, the Rangers’ offense went quiet.
Chicago pitchers retired 13 consecutive hitters following Carter’s RBI, completely shutting down Texas until Josh Jung worked a walk in the sixth inning.
Jake Burger later added a solo home run in the seventh, briefly cutting the deficit, but the Rangers never seriously threatened after Benintendi’s fifth-inning heroics.
deGrom Takes the Loss
It was another frustrating outing for Jacob deGrom, who fell to 7-6 on the season.
Although the veteran right-hander showed flashes of dominance by retiring the side in order during both the second and fourth innings, he struggled to escape trouble throughout the evening.
DeGrom surrendered five runs on seven hits over 4⅔ innings, striking out six while walking two before exiting with the White Sox firmly in control.
Chicago starter Erick Fedde allowed two runs over four innings while striking out six before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Reliever Chris Murphy earned the victory after tossing 1⅓ perfect innings, improving to 3-0.
Injury Concerns for Both Clubs
The game wasn’t without injury scares.
White Sox catcher Kyle Teel exited early after suffering a non-contact left ankle injury while attempting to tag Ezequiel Durán at the plate.
Later in the game, rookie infielder Colson Montgomery also departed after sustaining a right shin contusion, adding another concern for Chicago despite the lopsided victory.
White Sox Keep Rolling
The convincing win reinforced why Chicago has become one of the hottest teams in the American League.
Strong pitching, timely hitting, and a relentless offense allowed the White Sox to comfortably handle one of the league’s toughest opponents while maintaining their slim lead in the AL Central.
For the Rangers, meanwhile, the loss marked another missed opportunity as they continue searching for consistency against playoff-caliber competition.
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