The White Sox are having a miserable season, but Tuesday night showed they still possess some magic in the later innings. Thanks to a three-run homer by Miguel Vargas in the 10th inning, the White Sox beat the Cincinnati Reds 5–1 at Great American Ball Park in a thrilling finish.
This electrifying extra-inning victory did not only end a losing streak for the White Sox — it sent a message that they’re not counting them out yet.
Rain Delays, Fireworks Later
After a nearly two-hour rain delay, fans were finally treated to a tense, tactical battle between two very different teams. Nine innings of silence from the bats told the story of pitching dominance. Chicago’s Jonathan Cannon was outstanding, tossing six innings of one-hit baseball with six strikeouts. On the other side, Cincinnati’s Andrew Abbott delivered a strong performance of his own, keeping the Sox scoreless through five.
De La Cruz Delivers, But Vargas Takes the Spotlight
The Reds were behind 1–0 in the ninth inning and Cincinnati up-and-comer Elly De La Cruz stepped up big with a 435-foot solo home run to center to tie the game and ignite the home fans.
But things quickly fizzled.
In the top of the 10th, rookie sensation Chase Meidroth broke the deadlock with a clutch RBI single, giving Chicago a 2–1 lead. Only seconds later, Miguel Vargas launched a three-run homer into left field, his second of the year, essentially quieting the Reds faithful and securing a badly needed victory for the Sox.
Game Highlights at a Glance
White Sox Prevail 5–1 Over Reds in 10-Inning Showdown
WP: Michael Kopech (CWS)
LP: Alexis DÃaz (CIN)
HR: Miguel Vargas (CWS), Elly De La Cruz (CIN)
Top Rookie Moment: Chase Meidroth’s game-tying RBI single in the 10th
Reds Remain Winless in Extras
In this loss, the Reds fell to 0–5 in extra-inning games during the current season, a figure that is ever more troubling for manager David Bell. Cincinnati currently stands at 20–22, with inconsistency haunting what had been an encouraging April.
The White Sox, who sit at 13–29, might be in rebuild mode, but games like this indicate their young core is starting to find rhythm — and swagger.
SportSnip Analysis: Turning Point?
This win could spark a much-needed turnaround for the White Sox. Miguel Vargas, who has fought for playing time, seized the moment and proved he has the bat to be a game-changer. Meanwhile, Jonathan Cannon’s start proved just how good the Sox’s pitching can be when the bullpen stands firm.
For the Reds, losing a ninth-inning comeback at home is a hard pill to swallow. Their bullpen is still a weak spot, and extra-inning struggles indicate something more sinister than mere bad luck.
What’s Next?
The Reds and White Sox meet again today, Wednesday, May 14, for the series finale. The first pitch is at 4:14 PM PDT.
Can the Reds rebound and tie the series? Or will the Sox use this momentum to pull off a series road sweep?
Tune in to SportSnip.com for live updates, post-game analysis, and more expert commentary from the baseball world.
