WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Chicago White Sox showcased their offensive prowess in a commanding 10-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Michael A. Taylor led the charge with three doubles and three RBIs, while Luis Robert Jr. contributed a solo home run, marking a significant rebound for the White Sox after a rough stretch of losing 10 of their last 12 games.
Chicago wasted no time in asserting their dominance, scoring four runs in the first inning against Athletics' pitcher Jeffrey Springs, who struggled significantly, allowing seven runs -- five earned -- over six innings. The White Sox continued their offensive onslaught with two additional runs in the second inning, quickly building a 6-0 lead.
“The guys came out swinging,” said White Sox manager Will Venable. “Really felt like we picked up where we left off the night before. Got good pitches to hit and didn’t miss them.”
Robert, batting second, launched a changeup from Springs 352 feet for a solo home run, setting the tone for the game. Following Robert's blast, rookie catcher Edgar Quero walked, and then the White Sox rattled off three consecutive doubles from Lenyn Sosa, Taylor, and Brooks Baldwin, effectively putting the game out of reach early.
In just the second inning, Quero's sharp RBI single brought in Miguel Vargas, who has been on a hitting spree with seven hits in his last four games. Andrew Vaughn added a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 6-0.
On the mound, Jonathan Cannon delivered a stellar performance, pitching 7 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, with five strikeouts and two walks. His outing was marked by effective use of his changeup, which he threw more than any other pitch, accounting for 10 of his 14 strikeouts.
“I liked it,” said Quero regarding the team’s performance. “We hit a lot. We did a really good job pitching too. Jonathan was phenomenal. Really good.”
Cannon's performance was the longest relief appearance for a White Sox pitcher since Mélido Pérez in 1991, and it showcased a new strategy the team has implemented, utilizing Tyler Gilbert as an opener for the second consecutive game. Gilbert pitched a scoreless first inning, allowing Cannon to take over and control the game.
Despite a leadoff home run by Luis Urías in the seventh inning, which traveled 369 feet, Cannon remained composed and retired the next five batters, demonstrating his resilience on the mound.
The White Sox continued to pile on the runs in the seventh inning, beginning with three consecutive walks. Taylor's third double drove in two runs, and Bobby Dalbec capped off the scoring with a single that brought in Vaughn, pushing the lead to double digits.
With this victory, the White Sox recorded their second-highest scoring game of the season. Notably, they have already achieved four blowout wins this year, putting them on pace for 24, a significant improvement from last year when they only had 11.
“It was a well-rounded day as seven players recorded at least one hit, and eight drove in at least one run,” noted a team spokesperson. “This kind of performance is exactly what we needed.”
As the White Sox look ahead, they will face the Athletics again on Sunday, April 27, 2025, with right-handed pitchers Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.85 ERA) for the Athletics and Davis Martin (1-3, 3.95 ERA) for the White Sox set to start. The White Sox improved to 7-20 with this win, a much-needed boost as they continue to navigate the early part of the season.
The White Sox entered Saturday tied for 25th in MLB in runs scored, but this offensive explosion may signal a turning point for the team. As they strive for consistency, fans are hopeful that this performance will set the tone for upcoming games.
With the win, the White Sox have not only improved their standing but also provided a glimpse of the potential that has been hinted at throughout the season. The excitement around the team is palpable, and as they prepare for the series finale, the players will look to build on this momentum.
In the aftermath of the game, the White Sox made headlines off the field as well, with news breaking that they acquired Gage Workman from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations, further indicating their commitment to improving the roster. This transaction comes after a tough start to the season and reflects the team's desire to bolster their lineup as they aim for a competitive standing in the league.
As the series against the Athletics wraps up, the White Sox will be eager to carry this offensive momentum into their next matchups, looking to turn the tide on their season and make a push for better results in the weeks to come.
