White Sox 6, Twins 5: Pinch-Running Pays Off, But Missed Opportunities Still Sink Twins

[Nate Palmer]

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Bailey Ober 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (69 pitches, 46 strikes (66.7%)
Home Runs: Royce Lewis (10)
Bottom 3 WPA: Justin Topa (-0.449), Bailey Ober (-0.209), James Outman (-0.106)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) 

The last time the Minnesota Twins faced the Chicago White Sox, the result was a series loss that felt a lot like rock bottom. Coming off a series win against the likely playoff-bound San Diego Padres, the Twins will look to handle the South Siders better this week at home. To do so, they'll need to keep some of the White Sox's young bats at bay. 

White Sox Jump On Ober 
So much for that. Colson Montgomery has been a problem for much of Major League Baseball, but a downright terror to the Twins. Montgomery only hits home runs when he faces the Twins, and he did so again in the second inning of Monday’s Labor Day matchup. Bailey Ober’s slider for the third pitch of the at-bat turned into Montgomery’s 16th home run, and fourth in his four games against Minnesota so far.

After a Curtis Mead single and an Andrew Benintendi strikeout, Chase Meidroth would also hit a home run, to left-center field. Meidroth also jumped on an offspeed pitch, this time a curveball, and put the White Sox up 3-0 quickly. 

Twins Score, But Leave Runners Hanging
It should have been good news for Twins batters that the White Sox would be throwing a bullpen game Monday afternoon. Early on, the Twins were unable to capitalize as they had hoped. In the bottom of the second inning, however, they put together a two-out rally. The trouble began with an error by Curtis Mead on a Royce Lewis groundball and was followed by walks to both Edouard Julien and James Outman to bring Byron Buxton to the plate. 

Buxton was certainly looking to tear the game open, but with newly inserted Wikelman Gonzalez on the mound, he was patient. He walked, to score the Twins' first run and narrow the deficit to 3-1. Ryan Jeffers was next up, but would leave the bases full by striking out to end the inning. 

In the third inning, both Luke Keaschall and Trevor Larnach would reach base on singles with one out. Neither Brooks Lee nor Lewis were able to create any more offense, and the Twins instead walked away with two more men left on base and the score still 3-1, when so much more seemed possible. 

Buxton continued to be the offensive engine in the fourth inning. He hit his 17th double of 2025, and while on second base, the White Sox did traditional White Sox things, and the Twins outfielder took advantage. Reliever Cam Booser threw a wild pitch, and as Buxton was sprinting toward third base, White Sox catcher Kyle Teel fired off-target. As the ball zipped past third and into left field, it allowed Buxton to trot home and cut into the White Sox lead, bringing the score to 3-2. 

 

Power and Speed in the Sixth
After a strange series of rare defensive misplays by Buxton that put the White Sox up 4-2, the Twins found some more offense in the sixth inning. It started with Royce Lewis hitting a solo home run, his 10th, to bring the Twins within one. Next up, Julien hit a double off the left-field wall. Recently recalled DaShawn Kiersey Jr. would pinch-run for Julien, steal third base, and then score on a sac fly off by, you guessed it, Buxton. 

 

Pinch-Running Pays Off Again
Into the 7th inning, Matt Wallner started things with a hustle double. To get more speed in his spot, manager Rocco Baldelli opted to bring Austin Martin into the game to pinch-run. The Twins would reach two outs and were at risk of once again leaving a runner in scoring position. Instead of walking away empty-handed, though, Brooks Lee came up with a big single to score the go-ahead run, putting the Twins up 5-4. 

With two runs being scored by pinch-runners, it's safe to say that on this first day of September, Baldelli was able to use his expanded roster to impact the game significantly. 

White Sox Not Done Yet
With Justin Topa on the mound, the White Sox would not settle for the Twins taking the lead from them. After a single by Curtis Mead and a Michael A. Taylor (pinch-running) sighting, the previous innings' hero would make a throwing error. As Lee was unable to complete a would-be 3-6-1 double play, he also fired wide, and Meidroth wound up on second base with two outs. The White Sox did, with two outs, what the Twins were unable to do in the second inning. 

Brooks Baldwin doubled to tie the ball game. Mike Tauchman hit his own double to replace Baldwin at second and give his team the advantage. The White Sox, after seven, would hold on to a one-run, 6-5 lead.  

Those two runs would be the deciding factor. While the Twins' moves seem to push some of the right buttons, the missed opportunities early in the game and Topa's bad inning were insurmountable.

What’s Next?
After his recent return, Simeon Woods Richardson will make his second start for the Twins since recovering from his recent ordeal with a parasite. Woods Richardson will hope to rebound after giving up five runs against the Blue Jays. Davis Martin will bring his 4.03 ERA to make the start for the White Sox.  

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TOT
Funderburk	0	23	0	0	31	54
Cabrera	0	0	31	0	20	51
Kriske	0	0	44	0	0	44
Topa	0	24	0	0	17	41
Tonkin	0	0	0	37	0	37
Sands	0	17	0	0	0	17
Adams	0	0	0	0	6	6
Hatch	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

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[thelanges5]

1 for 7 w/RISP; 8 LOB. The more the lineup changes the more the PAs stay the same.
Wonder if they will let Ober limp through to the end of the season or shut him down when Pablo comes back?

[Peter]

Another crushing loss!!! Need to win these games!!! Don’t matter if we are bad or not!!! It’s all about winning!!!  

[Schmoeman5]

32 minutes ago, Peter said:

Another crushing loss!!! Need to win these games!!! Don’t matter if we are bad or not!!! It’s all about winning!!!  

Yeah but Chicago's a bigger city. But then again, so is San Diego 🙄 

[Glorybound]

At least Cole Sands should be fresh for tomorrow. Maybe we will have a bigger lead to protect then. I just don’t see Topa as a high leverage reliever going into next season. Too much contact for the late innings.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, Nate Palmer said:

After a strange series of rare defensive misplays by Buxton that put the White Sox up 4-2 ...

       

[CRF]

Should've dumped Topa off on some team at the deadline. 

[DJL44]

18 minutes ago, CRF said:

Should've dumped Topa off on some team at the deadline. 

Deadline buyers are usually looking for good pitchers. The Twins added Trevor Richards last summer but that isn’t typical.

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, Glorybound said:

At least Cole Sands should be fresh for tomorrow. Maybe we will have a bigger lead to protect then. I just don’t see Topa as a high leverage reliever going into next season. Too much contact for the late innings.

I'm curious why Hatch hasn't played all weekend. Eh.. potential start this week in Abels spot?

[Doc Lenz]

Ober needs to go. Trade him or cut him. Some here think he’s injured if he was he wouldn’t be pitching period. Can’t win with him next year. 

[Parfigliano]

3 hours ago, Peter said:

Another crushing loss!!! Need to win these games!!! Don’t matter if we are bad or not!!! It’s all about winning!!!  

Bad teams rarely win.  TC really really bad.

[Vanimal46]

26 minutes ago, Doc Lenz said:

Ober needs to go. Trade him or cut him. Some here think he’s injured if he was he wouldn’t be pitching period. Can’t win with him next year. 

If there isn’t a surgery or recovery available to gain his lost velocity then yes, let him go. He can’t survive as an 89 MPH pitcher in the majors making nearly $7 million 

[Parfigliano]

27 minutes ago, Doc Lenz said:

Ober needs to go. Trade him or cut him. Some here think he’s injured if he was he wouldn’t be pitching period. Can’t win with him next year. 

He's a shell of his former self.  No velocity and little command or control.

[karcherd]

1 hour ago, Patzky said:

I'm curious why Hatch hasn't played all weekend. Eh.. potential start this week in Abels spot?

They already have 5 starters and it will be six when Lopez comes back, no room for Abel.  I would think Hatch will be used in long relief.

[mikelink45]

I am really disappointed in Ober.  I would shut him down and start over next year.  I guess we only play well against good competition.  Losing 4 straight to Chisox really stinks.  I hope we are not thinking Topa will be a stud for the 2026 BP. 

The article says pinch runners paid off, somehow PR are the least of my hopes for quality BB.  Outman and Keirsey should not be on the roster - neither should Clemens or Gaspar.  Call up some real prospects.  

On the pitching side there is a long list that does not belong.

Come on Twins - sell some hope, sell the future!

 

[RpR]

13 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

 Call up some real prospects.  

As compared to artificial ones like Julien, Miranda, Lee, Lewis, Wallner and the vast majority of newbie rookies.

Brilliant!

[terrydactyls]

With the roster expansion today, I truly believe the Twins front office is making very strong effort to move past the Pirates and improve their odds for a #1 pick.

P	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	Chicago White Sox	50	88	0.362	-
2	Pittsburgh Pirates	61	77	0.442	11.0
3	Baltimore Orioles	62	76	0.449	12.0
4	Atlanta Braves	62	76	0.449	12.0
5	Minnesota Twins	62	75	0.453	12.5
6	Whatever Athletics	64	75	0.460	13.5
8	Los Angeles Angels	64	73	0.467	14.5
7	Miami Marlins	65	73	0.471	15.0
11	St. Louis Cardinals	68	71	0.489	17.5
10	Arizona Diamondbacks	68	71	0.489	17.5
9	Tampa Bay Rays	68	69	0.496	18.5
13	San Francisco Giants	69	69	0.500	19.0
12	Cleveland Guardians	68	68	0.500	19.0
14	Texas Rangers	72	67	0.518	21.5

[knothole61]

Poor Colorado, 39-99 right now and no chance for a #1 pick! They have been awful for a long time but have drawn over 2 million fans already this season...go figure.

[Patzky]

4 hours ago, karcherd said:

They already have 5 starters and it will be six when Lopez comes back, no room for Abel.  I would think Hatch will be used in long relief.

Right, which is why he would have been a good candidate to come in the game after Bailey left.

[jmlease1]

11 hours ago, Doc Lenz said:

Ober needs to go. Trade him or cut him. Some here think he’s injured if he was he wouldn’t be pitching period. Can’t win with him next year. 

Ober was good in limited action in 2022, very good in full seasons in 2023 & 2024. He's having a poor season in 2025 and already we have people around here suggesting he be dumped. Selling low on him seems foolish, and almost guaranteed to have the same people complaining about giving him away for nothing when he comes back and torches us. Cutting him is even dumber. Shut him down for the season when Pablo gets back, give him a full re-set to get right and see what you have in 2026. He's clearly still not right, either through injury or mechanics. But cutting him is reactionary stupidity.

Offense did ok, 5 runs should be enough to beat the CWS, but Topa coughed up the late lead. Not great. Hate losing to this franchise.

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, Glorybound said:

At least Cole Sands should be fresh for tomorrow. Maybe we will have a bigger lead to protect then. I just don’t see Topa as a high leverage reliever going into next season. Too much contact for the late innings.

Don’t think it’s anyone’s intent for Topa to be high leverage………Funderburk came in the other day for the Save in the 9th. Those two guys are #7 & #8 in the PEN up until the deadline. They belong in the #7&#8 slots going forward, at best. The PEN needs to be reconstructed for sure between now & March 1st.

Topa can be a 3.75 ERA guy for 5th-7th inning situations for around $1.3M - OK value when considering his experience.

[JD-TWINS]

13 hours ago, Patzky said:

I'm curious why Hatch hasn't played all weekend. Eh.. potential start this week in Abels spot?

Ryan - Matthews - SWR - Bradley - Ober are the starters for now………assuming they’ll sit Ober by the end of the week with some injury, “tired arm” ……….Lopez will probably start Friday or Saturday?

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

Ober was good in limited action in 2022, very good in full seasons in 2023 & 2024. He's having a poor season in 2025 and already we have people around here suggesting he be dumped. Selling low on him seems foolish, and almost guaranteed to have the same people complaining about giving him away for nothing when he comes back and torches us. Cutting him is even dumber. Shut him down for the season when Pablo gets back, give him a full re-set to get right and see what you have in 2026. He's clearly still not right, either through injury or mechanics. But cutting him is reactionary stupidity.

Offense did ok, 5 runs should be enough to beat the CWS, but Topa coughed up the late lead. Not great. Hate losing to this franchise.

Completely agree on Ober - he’s got some, or had an injury along the way that has affected his delivery/mechanics. The inability to throw at 91Mph, which distinguishes his change-up as a very good pitch, is an issue going forward. His relatively thin margin for error gets magnified. He has to get a real shot in ‘26 as he’s potentially a superior #5 starter in the rotation v. other #5’s around baseball.

I didn’t see the game yesterday but with what I read, it seems Topa got a ground ball to first to get out of the inning and Lee butchered the return throw to 1B to complete a double play. Inning’s over and zero runs…….right?

[Patzky]

2 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Completely agree on Ober - he’s got some, or had an injury along the way that has affected his delivery/mechanics. The inability to throw at 91Mph, which distinguishes his change-up as a very good pitch, is an issue going forward. His relatively thin margin for error gets magnified. He has to get a real shot in ‘26 as he’s potentially a superior #5 starter in the rotation v. other #5’s around baseball.

I didn’t see the game yesterday but with what I read, it seems Topa got a ground ball to first to get out of the inning and Lee butchered the return throw to 1B to complete a double play. Inning’s over and zero runs…….right?

Yes but. It's easier to blame the pitcher. He 'did' give up successive doubles. Extra outs are not the pitchers best friend. Our defense was spotty yesterday to say the best, despite some stellar exceptions.

[Doc Lenz]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Ober was good in limited action in 2022, very good in full seasons in 2023 & 2024. He's having a poor season in 2025 and already we have people around here suggesting he be dumped. Selling low on him seems foolish, and almost guaranteed to have the same people complaining about giving him away for nothing when he comes back and torches us. Cutting him is even dumber. Shut him down for the season when Pablo gets back, give him a full re-set to get right and see what you have in 2026. He's clearly still not right, either through injury or mechanics. But cutting him is reactionary stupidity.

Offense did ok, 5 runs should be enough to beat the CWS, but Topa coughed up the late lead. Not great. Hate losing to this franchise.

He is what he is and won’t be any better next year.

[jmlease1]

55 minutes ago, Doc Lenz said:

He is what he is and won’t be any better next year.

Which is he? the guy from 2023 & 2024 or the guy from 2025? And how is it exactly that you "know"?

Really good and really consistent for 2 straight year before having a bad one. 30 years old, so still in his prime.

I'm guessing you would have cut Sonny Gray after 2018, too.

[thelanges5]

14-22 in one run games 

[jmlease1]

5 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

14-22 in one run games 

A sign of bad luck, a bad bullpen, and a lineup with real holes. But an average season only adds about 4-5 wins to the total. Notably, the much-maligned Epic Collapse Twins of 2024 were 22-20 in 1-run games.

[Parfigliano]

13 hours ago, knothole61 said:

Poor Colorado, 39-99 right now and no chance for a #1 pick! They have been awful for a long time but have drawn over 2 million fans already this season...go figure.

Very few go to a Rockies game for the Rockies.  It's fans of the opponent and it's a party atmosphere.  I highly recommend.

[David Maro]

Smart GM's don't blow up their BP's when the SP has injuries and is in flux. As long as this organization won't make the changes needed this will remain the clown show it is.