White Sox complete 7-3 sweep of Astros in postseason series
Chicago defeated Houston 7-3 to close out the series, with Chase Meidroth delivering a three-run homer that sealed the win.
Chicago White Sox outlasted the Houston Astros 7-3 on Tuesday, clinching a series sweep in Houston's ballpark. The Sox jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning after a four-run burst, and despite three solo home runs by the Astros that narrowed the gap to one run, a three-run blast by Chase Meidroth in the sixth restored a comfortable margin.
Meidroth's homer came after a sequence that saw the White Sox load the bases and a double steal that caught the Astros off guard. The White Sox bullpen delivered five consecutive scoreless innings, with Jordan Hicks and Erick Fedde each retiring all batters they faced.
Houston starter Hunter Brown, who entered the game with a 6-0 record against Chicago, was removed after recording only two outs in the first inning. The Astros managed solo home runs from Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith and José Altuve, but could not overcome the early deficit.
The win marks the White Sox's second postseason series victory without a World Series title since the league adopted the current playoff format 57 years ago. Chicago's pitching staff combined for nine innings, five hits, three runs, one walk and 15 strikeouts.