The Chicago White Sox advanced to the American League Division Series on Wednesday, beating the Houston Astros 7–3 to complete a two-game Wild Card sweep and win their first postseason series since 2005.
Chase Meidroth supplied the final three runs with a sixth-inning homer at Daikin Park. Chicago’s bullpen then completed five scoreless innings, sending the White Sox into a Division Series meeting with Cleveland.
Chicago’s previous series victory also came against Houston, when the club swept the 2005 World Series. The White Sox had not won a postseason round in the 21 years between those two sweeps.
The visitors scored four times in the first inning and removed Astros starter Hunter Brown before he could record a third out. Kyle Teel drove in Chase Antonacci, Andrew Benintendi added another run with a single, and a throwing error helped Chicago extend the early lead. DJ Peters also delivered an RBI.
Houston answered with solo homers from Jeremy Pena, Cam Smith and Jose Altuve. Those three swings accounted for every Astros run and reduced Chicago’s advantage to 4–3 before Meidroth’s drive restored some separation.
The sixth-inning rally began with a Benintendi walk. Pinch-runner Luisangel Acuna stole second, Peters walked, and Chicago completed a double steal before Meidroth hit a Bryan Abreu slider over the fence.
White Sox starter Sean Burke struck out eight without issuing a walk. He allowed four hits, including the three solo homers, during his four innings before handing the game to the bullpen.
Huascar Brazoban, Anthony Kay, Jordan Hicks and Erick Fedde combined to keep Houston off the scoreboard thereafter. Hicks and Fedde each recorded six outs as Chicago protected the lead through the final four innings.
The White Sox pitching staff finished with 15 strikeouts while allowing five hits and one walk. Chicago also played an error-free game, ending Houston’s postseason after two home defeats.
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