Andrew Benintendi and Lenyn Sosa each hit solo home runs, and the Chicago White Sox fended off multiple late threats to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 6-3 on Friday night.
Benintendi had a double and a homer, while Sosa added a solo blast and an RBI single as part of a two-hit game. The duo helped the White Sox build an early lead, launching back-to-back solo shots in the second inning off Angels starter Tyler Anderson (2-7).
Chicago tacked on another run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly from Luis Robert Jr., scoring Miguel Vargas to make it 3-0.
The Angels clawed back in the fifth when Gustavo Campero smashed a two-run homer — his second season — cutting the deficit to one. But the momentum was short-lived, as Colson Montgomery responded at the top of the sixth with a solo shot to restore the White Sox’s two-run cushion.
Logan O’Hoppe came home on a Zach Neto sacrifice fly in the seventh to make it 4-3. Moments later, Nolan Schanuel appeared to tie the game with a single that would have scored Travis d’Arnaud — but Campero was thrown out at third before d’Arnaud could cross the plate, ending the inning and the Angels’ rally.
Sosa added an insurance run with an RBI single in the eighth, and Josh Rojas launched a solo homer in the ninth to seal the win. Steven Wilson earned his second season save by recording the final six outs.
Chicago starter Shane Smith pitched 4 1/3 innings in his return from the injured list, giving up two runs on two hits with four strikeouts. Jordan Leasure (4-6) picked up the win in relief, striking out four over 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Key Moment:
Gustavo Campero’s baserunning miscue in the seventh proved costly, as his out at third base erased what would have been the tying run from Travis d’Arnaud.
Key Stat:
Colson Montgomery continued his red-hot second half, driving in his 18th RBI since the All-Star break — tying Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the most in that span.
Up Next:
The series continues Saturday as White Sox right-hander Aaron Civale (2-6, 4.38 ERA) faces off against Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks (6-7, 4.73 ERA).
