The Chicago White Sox continued their recent surge with a 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night. Rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami hit his 14th home run of the season, while right-hander Davis Martin delivered seven scoreless innings in one of his strongest outings of the year.
Chicago controlled the game from the opening inning and never allowed Los Angeles to recover. The White Sox combined efficient pitching with steady offense, extending their winning run to six victories in their last seven games. The Angels, meanwhile, continued a difficult stretch that has seen them lose 13 of their past 15 contests.
Martin Sets Tone On Mound
Davis Martin led the performance with a composed outing on the mound. He allowed five hits over seven innings, struck out 10 batters and did not issue a walk. The right-hander improved to 5-1 and lowered his earned run average to 1.64.
Martin established control early with a consistent fastball and sharp secondary pitches. He limited hard contact and forced the Angels into difficult counts throughout the game.
His only significant challenge came in the seventh inning when Los Angeles placed runners on first and third with one out. Martin responded by retiring Josh Lowe on a deep fly ball to center field, ending the threat without allowing a run.
The outing continued a strong start to the season for Martin, who has become one of the most reliable pitchers in Chicago’s rotation.
White Sox Strike Early
Chicago applied pressure from the opening inning against Angels starter José Soriano. The right-hander struggled with command early, throwing nine of his first 11 pitches for balls and issuing two walks.
The White Sox capitalized quickly. RBI singles from Chase Meidroth and Andrew Benintendi gave Chicago a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Soriano escaped additional trouble in the second and third innings despite allowing more traffic on the bases. He could not maintain that escape pattern in the fourth, when Chicago extended the lead decisively.
Murakami Continues Power Surge
Munetaka Murakami delivered the key hit of the game in the fourth inning. After Sam Antonacci singled, Murakami drove a high fastball deep to center field for a two-run home run.
The blast traveled an estimated 429 feet and marked Murakami’s 14th home run of the season. The rookie remained tied with New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the major league lead.
Murakami continued to impact the game beyond the home run. He doubled for the first time this season in the sixth inning, added a single later in the game, and scored three runs overall. He finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs in another productive performance.
Miguel Vargas followed Murakami’s home run with a solo shot to right-center field, pushing the White Sox’s lead to 5-0 and ending Soriano’s night shortly afterward.
Soriano Struggles For Angels
José Soriano entered the game in strong form after an impressive opening stretch to the season. However, he looked out of rhythm from the start and delivered his weakest outing of the year.
The Angels’ right-hander allowed five runs on eight hits across four innings. He struck out five but also walked three and needed 88 pitches to complete 12 outs.
Soriano had entered the game with one of the lowest earned run averages in the league and recently earned American League Pitcher of the Month honors. On Monday, though, his command and mechanics appeared inconsistent.
The Angels had monitored Soriano after neck stiffness affected his previous start. While he remained in the rotation, he struggled to locate pitches and failed to limit damage during key moments.
Benintendi And White Sox Offense Stay Active
Andrew Benintendi added four hits, all singles, and drove in a run. His consistent contact helped sustain pressure throughout the game.
Chicago’s lineup produced offense across multiple innings and avoided long stretches without baserunners. The team moved runners effectively and forced Los Angeles pitchers into extended at-bats.
The White Sox also received steady contributions from Meidroth, Vargas, and Antonacci. Their ability to produce throughout the lineup created a balanced attack that kept the Angels under pressure.
Angels Continue Difficult Stretch
Los Angeles showed limited offensive rhythm despite collecting several hits. Nolan Schanuel and Travis d’Arnaud each recorded two hits, but the Angels struggled to produce timely offense against Martin and the Chicago bullpen.
The loss added to a difficult run for the Angels, who continue to search for consistency on both sides of the game. Defensive lapses and ineffective pitching have contributed to their recent slide.
Chicago, in contrast, continues to gain momentum. Strong starting pitching and improved offensive balance have helped the White Sox climb through a productive stretch of games.
The series continues Tuesday night, with Erick Fedde expected to start for Chicago against Angels left-hander Sam Aldegheri.
