Right-hander Davis Martin earned the first victory for the Chicago White Sox in their turnaround season, part of a run that saw him collect nine wins in his first 11 decisions.
But Martin hasn’t won since June 10 entering Thursday afternoon’s outing against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.
With the stretch run approaching, a turnaround would go a long way for the American League Central-leading White Sox, who hold a 3 1/2-game edge over the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers.
Martin (9-6, 4.17 ERA) allowed two runs in the first inning of Sunday’s home start against Cleveland but did not return after a rain delay of 2 hours, 23 minutes in a game Chicago won 5-3.
He surrendered nine runs and 10 hits in five innings of a 14-2 loss at Boston on Aug. 4.
A victory Thursday would give the White Sox a 4-2 homestand ahead of a weekend series in Detroit. Chicago regrouped from a 5-4, 10-inning loss to Cincinnati in Tuesday’s series opener with a 5-0 victory on Wednesday.
Luis Castillo struck out 10 and allowed one hit in seven shutout innings while Drew Romo and Chase Meidroth homered.
“It always feels nice hitting homers, but it feels even better getting a (shutout),” Romo said. “So I’m really glad that we could put up a zero on the scoreboard.”
Sal Stewart collected both of Cincinnati’s hits on Wednesday. The Reds managed just one run through the first seven innings on Tuesday before rallying.
Cincinnati has won five of its first seven series since the All-Star break, flirting with the .500 mark but still five games under.
The Reds will try to make that figure six out of eight on Thursday behind left-hander Andrew Abbott, who pitched Cincinnati to its first home sweep of the season in his most recent start last Thursday.
Abbott (6-7, 3.92 ERA) earned his first victory since June 20 with 6 2/3 strong innings as the Reds beat the visiting Athletics 6-5. He scattered three runs and seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said he thought Abbott “pitched really well,” especially on four days’ rest.
To Abbott, going deep into the contest was simply his duty on a getaway day matinee, the same kind of game the club will play Thursday.
“I really just wanted to give the bullpen as much of a break as possible because it’s tough throwing a night game at 6:40 and turning around and throwing … the next day,” Abbott said.
Abbott is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two career starts against the White Sox, with 10 strikeouts in 13 innings.
Martin defeated the host Reds in his lone start against them, on May 14, 2025. He surrendered a solo home run to Spencer Steer, now out with a sprained right wrist, but was otherwise solid, allowing one run and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings in a 4-2 win.
Sam Antonacci had three hits on Wednesday for Chicago, while Romo and Meidroth added two apiece. Meidroth was back in the lineup for the first time since Saturday as he worked through a sore left wrist.
–Field Level Media
–Field Level Media
