Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (left) and pitcher Mike Vasil (right) celebrate another rare White Sox win over the San Francisco Giants at Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-39) lost another series, this one to the Chicago White Sox (27-56) 5-2. This was their second series loss in a row. The Giants continue to underperform at the plate. They finished the game with only five hits, the White Sox with 11.

Justin Verlander has not won a game this season although he did pitch a good game in this one. HIs ERA improved from 4.52 to 4.26 in this game. Relief pitching allowed four runs in this game which sealed the deal for Chicago.

Game recap: The White Sox got to work early in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Andrew Benintendi sacrificed to left field and base runner Mike Tauchman scored getting up on the scoreboard for a nice Chicago start.

San Francisco tied up this game in the second inning when Patrick Bailey doubled with a bullet hit to right field and base runner Christian Koss scored. This game was all knotted up 1-1. The White Sox threatened twice in the second inning with a runner on base. Chicago hit two deep balls that were corralled by Mike Yastrzemski in right field and a second caught by Jung Hoo Lee in centerfield robbing the White Sox of at least a couple of doubles as well as a run and the lead in this game.

The tie persisted going into the fifth inning. Work on the mound collapsed for the White Sox when Jordan Leasure relieved relief pitcher Brandon Eisert. Leasure walk Devers after striking out Ramos and went on to walk WIlmer Flores and Willie Adames for three walks in the inning. He loaded the bases and the Adames walk allowed Devers to score breaking the tie for a 2-1 San Francisco lead. The Giants still had the bases loaded. San Francisco would not score agains in the inning leaving runners stranded.

Justin Verlander finshed the game going six innings . He was relieved in the seventh inning by Erik Miller. Verlander had a great showing on the mound in his six innings of pitching.

The White Sox started off the seventh inning still trailing 1-2 but threatened putting two runners on base with Mike Tauchman and Chase Meidroth both hitting singles with only one out.

Andrew Benintendi grounded out advancing the runners to second and third with two outs. Chicago cashed in taking the lead 3-2. Miguel Vargas walked loading the bases. Kyle Teel doubled driving Slater (who ran for Taushman) and Meidroth home for their first lead since the first inning.

The White Sox were not finished in a horrible inning for San Francisco. Miguel Vargas extended the Chicago lead when he scored on a balk 4-2. Lenyn Sosa came to the plate and singled Kyle Teel home and the White Sox had a 5-2 lead going into the eighth inning.

San Francisco had some work to do with only two innings left to do it in. Scattered rain drips had hampered both teams throughout the game but they were able to play on.

The Giants got two runners on base to start the eighth inning. Jung Hoo Lee was hit by a pitch and Christian Koss singled to right. Patrick Bailey struck out for the first out but Wisely walked loading the bases with only one out.

It was time for a pitching change for Chicago as Tyler Gilbert took over on the mound. When it was looking so good for San Francisco Heliot Ramos hit into a double play and the Giants had squandered a great opportunity.

The White Sox threatened again the eighth inning with runners on first and third but the Giants got out of the inning and this game went into the top of the ninth inning. San Francisco was down to their final three outs.

Rafael Devers, Wilmer Flores and Mike Yastrzemski were the last hope for the Giants in this game. Devers struck out but Flores walked and San Francisco had a runner on base with one out. The Giants again hit into a double play and that was the ball game with Chicago winning the game and the series 5-2.

This was another tough series loss for the Giants. This was a series that they should have won but the White Sox finished the game with 11 hits and the Giants only five. They continue to operate very poorly offensively. They have fallen into second place tied with the San Diego Padres who with the Dodger win today trail 7.5 games behind Los Angeles.

Game notes: After a disappointing game Saturday losing to the Chicago White Sox 1-0 the Giants came in hoping to win the series but only dropped it as the Sox won it two games to one. The Giant’s offense were sluggish Saturday with only four hits and once again lacked production at the plate Sunday.

The weather was looking inclement as first pitch got closer. Rain threatened the start of the game and that was coupled with a very humid 89 degrees. San Francisco starter Justin Verlander will have to wait another start for his first win of the season. Verlander pitched six innings, five hits, one earned run, two walks, and three strike outs. For Chicago starter Jonathan Cannon pitched three innings, three hits, one earned run, three walks, four strikeouts.

San Francisco will now travel to Arizona for a four-game series with the Diamondbacks. First pitch for that game Monday is scheduled for 6:40 PM. San Francisco will start Robbie Ray who has a 8-3 win/loss record and a 2.75 ERA. The Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound with a 8-5 win/loss record and a 5.38 ERA.