ATLANTA — For the second consecutive night, the Chicago White Sox built a large lead against the Atlanta Braves.
They held on for a win Monday. But Tuesday was a different story.
The Sox squandered a six-run lead, falling 11-10 in front of 29,134 at Truist Park
Drake Baldwin’s sinking liner to right field landed just out of the reach of Mike Tauchman, who made a great diving attempt, for a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning.
The Sox led 10-4 after six innings. The Braves scored five runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth.
“The Braves found ways to get guys on base, to get hits, we weren’t able to get outs,” Sox manager Will Venable said. “And credit the guys on the other side. At the same time, it’s my job to put these guys in position to succeed and just haven’t been able to do it the last two nights. So that’s on me.
“Reflect on what we could have done better from my end. Our group of arms out there in the bullpen have done a great job all year. The Braves’ offense just continues to come at you. Makes it really hard on you. Two nights in a row, we were just not able to get outs late in the games.”
Monday, the Sox fought off Atlanta for a 13-9 victory. They led that contest 10-1 going into the bottom of the sixth. The Braves got within four and loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but the Sox escaped that jam on the way to picking up the win in the series opener.
Chicago White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa throws to first base after tagging out Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies in the seventh inning on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
The offensive production continued for the Sox on Tuesday. Kyle Teel homered for the second straight game as part of a night with two hits and four RBIs. Luis Robert Jr. had a three-run double during a five-run fifth.
Eight of the team’s nine players in the starting lineup had at least one hit for an 11-hit attack.
“Just making good swing decisions and hitting the ball hard,” Venable said. “It’s coming from everywhere. You look at the way our guys are running the bases, getting down the line, looking for bunt opportunities. All the things we’ve been talking about, they’re doing and just really proud of those guys for continuing to fight.
“Two nights in a row we’ve had really good offensive outputs, really collectively.”
Teel’s two-run home run in the sixth gave the Sox a 10-4 lead. Sox starter Shane Smith exited after the sixth, allowing four runs on seven hits.
“With how this start went and giving up two (in the first) and two in the fourth, to get through six, it kind of gives me that light at the end of the tunnel for today,” Smith said. “Obviously not what I wanted, but to go through six gives the bullpen an extra chance.”
The Braves took advantage of a fielding error by shortstop Chase Meidroth and two walks, one with the bases loaded, during the five-run seventh.
Tyler Gilbert allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits in one-third of an inning. Elvis Peguero allowed two runs on one hit with two walks in one-third of an inning.
“Yeah, walks, an error — although that was a tough play,” Venable said. “We’ve just got to make pitches. But again, I’ve got to put them in better spots and just find a way to find the right spots for the right guys and just haven’t been able to do that.”
The Braves had a chance for more runs in the inning, but catcher Edgar Quero picked off Vidal Bruján at first for the final out of the inning.
“(First baseman Miguel Vargas) gave me the sign,” Quero said. “I just threw him the ball, trying to get out of the inning. It was pretty good.”
The Braves went right back on the attack in the eighth, loading the bases via a walk, double and intentional walk with no outs. Michael Harris II attempted a bunt. Tyler Alexander pounced on the ball and the Sox got a force at the plate.
Facing Steven Wilson, Marcell Ozuna popped out to third baseman Curtis Mead in foul territory. But Baldwin’s liner landed just in front of Tauchman and two runs scored to give the Braves an 11-10 lead.
It was the first time the Sox lost a game that they once led by at least six runs since Sept. 5, 2023, when they saw a six-run lead slip away in a 7-6 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
“We did a lot of good things,” Teel said. “Hit the ball really well. And sometimes it just happens. I don’t think anyone is happy about this. This stinks.
“You just have to think what’s next. We have a game tomorrow and that’s what we are focused on.”
Originally Published: August 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM CDT