TAMPA -- There have been numerous times over the past three years when the White Sox have been asked postgame to describe their previous contest.
Unfortunately for the rebuilding South Siders, that question usually came after a tough loss or some weird finish not going in their favor. This road trip to start the second half of the 2025 season, in Pittsburgh and Tampa, changed that line of questioning.
In fact, their thrilling 11-9 victory over the Rays on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field not only completed a 5-1 stretch away from Chicago but also could be a rebuild-defining moment.
“I would describe it as a lot of fun,” said rookie catcher Kyle Teel, who launched his first career home run among a career-high four hits. “That's the best way to describe it."
“It's just guys kind of finding their comfortability in the big leagues,” said starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon. “We've got a lot of young guys, and it takes time to acclimate, like feel like you belong and kind of to get that talent level, and you just are seeing a lot of young guys start to put it together and figure out what it takes.”
Cannon, who struck out a career-high nine, allowed a pair of two-run home runs to Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero in the first, putting the White Sox (37-66) in a 4-0 hole. As recently as the first half of this 2025 season, that lead might have grown to 7-0 or 8-0 before the White Sox made a move, but currently this is a decidedly different White Sox team.
Their offense has been the biggest difference, with the 49 second-half runs ranking No. 1 in MLB. White Sox No. 4 prospect Colson Montgomery tied the game during a four-run second off Taj Bradley with a three-run homer and then put the White Sox ahead during a six-run eighth with a two-run double off reliever Kevin Kelly.
Montgomery was sent to Arizona for an off-field reset after struggling severely at Triple-A Charlotte earlier this season, which might ultimately show what Minor League numbers mean for a primetime player such as this shortstop/third baseman.
“Yeah, I mean it means a lot,” Montgomery said. “But also I think it’s just the team having success. Some of the guys say hitting is contagious, and I feel like since coming out of the break and a little before the break, you could tell we kind of got things going, and I felt like nobody could stop us. … Hitting is contagious, and hitting is fun.”
“That’s a tough year and a grind and some adversity he had to really power through,” said manager Will Venable. “Credit to him to go into Arizona and make the adjustments he needed to and then committing to them in Arizona. It’s nice to see him get the results here in the big leagues.”
Luis Robert Jr. extended his hitting streak to nine games with a run-scoring single, while Montgomery has homered in two straight games. Chase Meidroth, another of the rookie core, singled home a run on his 24th birthday.
Wednesday’s victory went deeper than offense. With the Rays having claimed a 6-4 lead in the fifth, reliever Brandon Eisert struck out Danny Jansen for the inning’s second out, but the ball got away from Teel, sending Caminero darting home from third. Teel pounced on the wild pitch and fired to Eisert, who made a no-look tag for the third out confirmed by video review.
“[Eisert] is putting his body on the line, going to make that tag,” Teel said. “That wasn't an easy play.”
“Great play,” Venable said. “[Josh] Rojas' great defensive play, some challenges and interesting plays that we were able to make. A credit to the guys for continuing to fight.”
Fight, they did. Fight, they have. After Dan Altavilla, the White Sox seventh pitcher of the night, retired Chandler Simpson on a line drive to Robert with runners on first and third, they also began another postgame victory celebration.
Next up this weekend at home are the Cubs, who swept them in three at Wrigley Field in May. But again, this is a different White Sox team -- just ask them.
“We have good veterans,” Montgomery said. “We also played with each other for a long time in Triple-A and things like that. We kind of went through the grind with each other, and when we come up and play in the big leagues together, it’s icing on the cake.”
“An incredible effort by the guys,” Venable said. “One of the best wins of the year by far, to come back twice, answer twice, was incredible. One of those games that really encompass what this group has built together and their willingness to continue to fight. Today was just a great example.”