SEATTLE — The White Sox’ bats woke up just in time to grind out a 2-1 win in Seattle with a ninth-inning rally Tuesday night that salvaged a one-hit performance from starter Anthony Kay and a stout bullpen.
After being no-hit for five innings by Mariners’ starter Bryce Miller, the Sox didn’t muster a threat until Munetaka Murakami walked to open the ninth off Luis Castillo, and Miguel Vargas took a painful pitch off the hand to put two runners on with no outs.
Following a double-steal with pinch runner Derek Hill, Chase Meidroth plated one with a single to right field off M’s closer Andrés Muñoz, and Andrew Benintendi followed up with an infield hit to put the Sox ahead.
"Never out of it," Benintendi said. "We kind of got dominated all night... To come out with a win, it kind of feels like we stole one."
WHITE SOX TAKE THE LEAD IN THE 9TH! pic.twitter.com/0v4uGQgSgB
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 20, 2026
Kay bent but didn’t completely break in a 35-pitch first inning, surrendering a single to Julio Rodriguez, hitting Randy Arozarena with a pitch and walking Josh Naylor. The Sox' left-hander got out of the bases-loaded jam with only one run on the board after Patrick Wisdom grounded into an RBI force out.
Kay settled in for 5 ⅓ strong innings with the lone hit, three walks and two hit batters to go with five strikeouts. Relievers Tyler Davis, Bryan Hudson and Grant Taylor did the rest on a dominant night for the pitching staff.
"Bullpen was awesome tonight," Kay said. "They've been doing a really good job all year, and it's fun to have those guys behind you knowing that... when your job's done, that they're gonna pick you up and keep it going."
The Sox' eighth win in their last 10 games felt special for manager Will Venable "just because everyone contributes — guys coming off the bench, pitchers coming in from the bullpen, doing their job," he said.
"It makes all the difference, to be able to continue to compete, have good energy, just have the belief that you have a chance," Venable said. "The pitchers have that mindset and feel that from our position players, and they just feed off each other's energy and you just have a competitive club that just doesn't quit."
Vargas stayed in the game getting hit near his right wrist and palm. He underwent X-rays and was set to be evaluated before Wednesday's rubber match at T-Mobile Park.
