Chicago’s lead evaporates in frustrating 4-2 defeat

Once again, Chase Meidroth tried to carry the team, but couldn’t handle the weight. | (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images) A strange pitching matchup and a late-inning collapse killed the White Sox after leading for most of the game.

Shane Smith tied his strikeout record and kept contact to a minimum, but the bullpen and cold bats couldn’t provide enough support to save the game. The Orioles took control late and never looked back. To start the contest, Smith gave up back-to-back walks flanked by well-thrown strikeouts.

He forced the Orioles to strand their runners after Dylan Beavers went down on swinging strikes, looking more like his 2025 self. The White Sox were putting the ball in the air, but also right into the gloves of their opponent, for a quick bottom of the frame. After two quick strikeouts in the second, Smith surrendered a walk, hit Blaze Alexander, and worked up a full count, turning it into a walk to load the bases.

Gunnar Henderson battled, fouling off seven pitches, working a full count, and striking out after 12 pitches, stranding all three runners. Smith collected his sixth strikeout in two innings, but had to throw 58 pitches to get there. The South Siders faced the same issue as they did in the first: routine fly balls that were gloved right away for another quick half-inning.