San Francisco Giants pitcher Caleb Kilian (right) is congratulated by catcher Daniel Susac (left) after the Giants defeated the Chicago White Sox at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Chicago White Sox (26-26) dropped the “rubber” game 8-5. and lost the series (2-1) to the San Francisco Giants (22-31) Sunday afternoon inside a sold out Oracle Park.

Chicago actually got the party started early with a leadoff home run by second baseman Chase Meidroth. His fourth bomb of the season put the South-siders up 1-0 after the initial half inning.

That lead was very temporary, as the home team equaled that tally in their half of the first inning. First baseman Casey Schmitt doubled to right field, scoring Willy Adames. Designated hitter Rafael Devers also doubled to right field, plating Schmitt. The Giants ended the inning with a one run advantage, 2-1.

In the bottom frame of the third, Shmitt was at it again, with a two run homer, doubling the Giants’ run total, 4-1. Second baseman Luis Arrez also scored on the blast.

The White Sox did respond in the top of the fourth inning, when shortstop Luisangel Acuna’s sacrifice fly scored catcher Edgar Ouero, bringing the deficit to two runs. 4-2.

The very next stanza Chicago tied things up with a two-run performance. Third baseman Colson Montgomery grounded out to second base, subsequently scoring DH Munetaka Murakami. Next Quero knocked in first baseman Miguel Vargas on a single. After 4 1/2 innings it was all tied up at 4-4.

The bottom of the fifth started off horribly for the Pale Holes, as they put three consecutive batters on base with a double. walk and hit batsmen. A bases loaded situation, with no outs. Devers stepped up to the plate with the absolutely advantageous situation. He not only seized the moment, he blasted a Grand Slam HR to double the lead again, and possibly put the game out of reach, 8-4. Adames, Arrez and Schmitt all scored on his extra-base hit.

In the top of the seventh inning the Windy City sluggers did make one last attempt at the lead. Miguel Vargas launched a solo home run to left field, getting them as close as three runs, but it was not enough in the end, 8-5.

The next two innings were just a formality, as the Giants held on to their three run lead, pleasing the Oracle faithful. On Star Wars Day, The Force was with the team in the City by the Bay.

The White Sox will next be in action back in Chicago Monday, May 25, hosting the Minnesota Twins at 1:10 PM CT on TV CHSN at Rate Field. The Giants will host the Arizona Diamondbacks on the same date at 2:05 PM PT on KNBR Radio/KSFN Radio and NBC Sports Bay Area at Oracle Park in San Francisco.