Three errors, two unearned runs, and one familiar loss as Sox fall 6-4 to Brewers

Jon Garland’s blast from the past can’t cover up our present pain

Despite a nostalgic start to the evening with White Sox legend and 2005 World Series champion Jon Garland throwing out the first pitch, the South Siders fell to the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 6-4, dropping their season record to 7-23. While Garland’s appearance brought back fond memories of the “good ol’ days,” the 2025 squad continued to struggle with the fundamentals, committing three costly errors that directly led to two critical unearned runs.

Starting pitcher Shane Smith battled throughout the outing, facing immediate trouble in the top of the first. A leadoff double by Isaac Collins was followed by a ground out and a strikeout, but William Contreras singled to plate the game’s first run. Sal Frelick then doubled, and what should have been an inning-ending grounder to Rhys Hoskins was mishandled by newly acquired third baseman Gage Workman (thanks, Cubs), allowing Contreras to score and giving the Brewers an early 2-0 lead.

The White Sox responded in the bottom of the second, evening up the score. Miguel Vargas singled, Matt Thaiss walked, and Lenyn Sosa drove in Vargas with a hit. Brooks Baldwin followed with a walk, and the Sox tied the game when Joshua Palacios was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. However, Luis Robert Jr. grounded into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play, squashing the rally.

Smith found himself in another jam in the top of the fourth, this time due to an error in left field by Andrew Benintendi. Joey Ortiz knocked a routine single to left, but was able to advance to second on the botched play by Benny. Caleb Durbin then singled, putting runners on the corners. Vinny Capra hit a sacrifice fly, giving the Brewers a 3-2 advantage. Fortunately, Thaiss helped his pitcher out by picking off Durbin, and Smith managed to strike out Chourio to end the inning.

The South Siders clawed back to tie the game again in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, La Pantera singled and quickly stole his league-leading 12th base of the season. Benintendi then reached first on catcher’s interference, ending Tobias Meyers’ night. Tyler Alexander entered in relief and promptly surrendered a single to Andrew Vaughn — shocking, I know — allowing Robert to score. However, Benny was thrown out at third, and the Sox ran themselves out of yet another potential big inning.

The Brewers ultimately put the game out of reach in the top of the eighth, scoring three runs against reliever Cam Booser. Despite a strong track record coming into the game, Booser labored, allowing three runs in just 1⁄3 of an inning.

Down 6-3 in the bottom of the eighth, the White Sox managed to scratch one run across when Vargas drove in Benintendi, who had singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Then, they made things interesting in the ninth against Milwaukee closer Trevor Megill. With two on and two outs, Andrew Vaughn did that thing he does — grounded out to end the game. Those unforced errors gifted the Brewers plenty of extra opportunities, and while the pitching staff battled, the defensive miscues proved too costly to overcome.