Benintendi’s Pinch-Hit Grand Slam Powers White Sox to Victory, Ending Nine-Game Losing Streak

NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Benintendi hit a grand slam while coming off the bench in the eighth inning, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 5-1 victory over the New York Yankees and snapping a nine-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. Benintendi replaced Randal Grichuk as the third pinch hitter in the inning and broke a 1-1 deadlock by sending Camilo Doval’s first pitch, a 100 mph sinker, soaring into the right-center field stands.

This marked the fourth career grand slam for Benintendi, who previously played 33 games for the Yankees in 2022, and it was also his second pinch-hit home run. His timely hit followed a double from Sam Antonacci, who had stepped in as a pinch hitter as well. The inning saw Tim Hill hit Jacob Gonzalez and Tristan Peters with pitches before finally recording an out.

The White Sox celebrated their first win at Yankee Stadium since June 8, 2023, overcoming a challenging series in which they had been outscored 22-7 in the first two games and 58-18 during their recent struggles in the Bronx. Colson Montgomery contributed to the win by homering and making a pivotal defensive play in the seventh inning, where he tagged out Anthony Volpe attempting to extend a double.

Ryan McMahon had initially tied the game for the Yankees with a home run in the third inning off bulk reliever Sean Burke. New York’s four-game winning streak was halted, and they dropped to 9-5 since losing team captain Aaron Judge to a fractured right rib. The Yankees also faced another setback when Jazz Chisholm Jr. exited the game in the fourth after fouling a pitch off his groin area.

Yankees starter Ryan Weathers had a strong outing, allowing only one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight and walking one. Burke, who followed opener Bryan Hudson, gave up one run and five hits in 7 1/3 innings. The White Sox improved to five wins in their last 17 road games and concluded a challenging 11-game stretch against top teams.

In their next matchup, the White Sox will send RHP Erick Fedde (2-5, 4.50 ERA) to the mound against LHP Tarik Skubal (3-3, 2.81) as they face the Detroit Tigers in the first of a three-game series. Meanwhile, the Yankees will have RHP Cam Schlittler (7-3, 1.82 ERA) pitching against RHP Rhett Lowder (3-3, 4.60) in their series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.