White Sox unravel in the Lone Star State as Astros halt Chicago’s momentum in a 10-2 rout

It was a brutal outing for Sean Burke, with Houston handing the South Siders a lopsided loss

The Houston Astros abruptly halted the White Sox’s momentum tonight, handing Chicago a 10-2 defeat that felt like a complete unraveling. Astros slugger Christian Walker led the charge, driving in four runs and falling a triple shy of the cycle. Houston’s pitching also utterly dominated Sox hitters, with their three hurlers combining for 12 strikeouts

Pale Hose starter Sean Burke endured a brutal outing, surrendering seven runs in just 3 2⁄3 innings. Houston wasted no time, erupting for three runs in the bottom of the first thanks to back-to-back doubles from Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve, followed by a two-run blast from Walker.

While Burke navigated a clean second inning, the Astros continued their assault in the third. Walker doubled to center, plating two more runs, and it was clear Burke was struggling to find his rhythm. He allowed two additional tallies before skipper Will Venable pulled him with two outs in the fourth. Owen White entered to staunch the bleeding, securing the final out.

The Good Guys briefly showed signs of life in the top of the fifth. Josh Rojas singled, followed by Vinny Capra’s ground-rule double. Mike Tauchman grounded out, plating Rojas, and Miguel Vargas singled to drive in Capra, narrowing the deficit to 7-2.

However, any hope was fleeting. Houston immediately regained a run in the bottom of the fifth off White on singles by Yainer Díaz and Walker, punctuated by a double-play ground out by Victor Caratini. White, making his first appearance of 2025, largely held the Astros in check until the eighth inning rolled around. A walk, a passed ball, and three more singles piled on two additional runs for Houston, leaving the 25-year-old to shoulder the brunt of the late-inning damage.

Amidst the lopsided score, third baseman Miguel Vargas was flashing the leather. He made a spectacular, Juan Uribe-esque catch in the third base camera well in the bottom of the third.

He followed that up with a superb play on a screaming line drive to third in the very next frame.

Tonight’s loss serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing a young, rebuilding White Sox squad, suggesting that many more difficult nights will lie ahead as the team continues to grow and develop.