URGENT UPDATE: Chicago White Sox starter Martín Pérez showcased his skills in a remarkable performance despite a 1-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park earlier today. Pérez pitched into the sixth inning, allowing just one unearned run on three hits in front of 30,054 fans.
In a stark contrast to the previous two games, where a total of 43 runs were scored, Wednesday’s matchup was dominated by pitching. Pérez struck out five batters and did not issue a single walk in his 74-pitch outing. “I was in my rhythm again and attacking from the first pitch,” Pérez stated after the game.
The Braves’ starter, Hurston Waldrep, was equally impressive, tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing only four hits. “Waldrep, really good (splitter),” White Sox manager Will Venable acknowledged. “It was extremely effective tonight.” The Braves secured two of three wins in the tightly contested series.
The only run of the game came in the fourth inning when Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna scored following an error by White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery. The error allowed Ozuna to cross home plate, marking the game’s decisive moment. “It is what it is, man,” Pérez reflected. “We played a good series and we’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
This was Pérez’s first start since returning from the 60-day injured list on August 13. He previously made a relief appearance against the Detroit Tigers, where he also performed well. “I’m just trying to enjoy it,” Pérez said, expressing gratitude for his return to the mound. “I feel great. Hopefully, we can continue to do the job.”
The White Sox struggled offensively, with all four hits coming from singles by Mike Tauchman, Brooks Baldwin, Luis Robert Jr., and Curtis Mead. Venable pointed out the stark difference in the game’s pace compared to the high-scoring previous matches. “That game in general was really the opposite of what we saw in the first two games,” he noted.
Despite finishing the road trip with a disappointing 1-5 record, Venable sees potential for improvement. “We came into this series not playing very good baseball, and I thought we got back to being where we were at coming out of the break,” he said.
As the White Sox look to rebound, Pérez remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of finishing the season strong. “We’ve got five more weeks left, and I think we have to finish strong,” he declared. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as the White Sox aim to harness this momentum into future games.
This thrilling yet challenging game reminds baseball fans of the unpredictable nature of the sport. With Pérez regaining form, the White Sox are poised to make a statement as they head into the final stretch of the season.
