3 takeaways as the Chicago White Sox rally for a 2-1 win to take 2 of 3 vs. the Seattle Mariners

The Chicago White Sox scored twice in the eighth inning Sunday to rally for a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners in front of 19,247 at Rate Field.

Designated hitter Randal Grichuk hit a game-tying home run leading off the eighth. Catcher Drew Romo doubled, advanced to third on a bunt and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to left by third baseman Miguel Vargas.

“A good overall day to just keep playing offensively,” manager Will Venable said.

Here are three takeaways as the Sox (19-21) fought back to win two of three in the series.

Photos: Chicago White Sox beat Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Mother’s Day

1. The offense clicked at the right time.

Fireworks went off when Vargas’ first-inning liner to left landed. The only issue was the ball didn’t go over the wall but instead hit the bottom of the wall.

While Vargas was close to his third home run of the series, he had to settle for a two-out double.

Mariners starter Logan Gilbert didn’t allow another baserunner, retiring the final 16 batters he faced. Gilbert allowed one hit and struck out nine in six scoreless innings.

“Gilbert's really tough,” Venable said. “He's as good as they get. I honestly don't know how anyone scores against him, he's got such good stuff.”

The Sox threatened against reliever José A. Ferrer in the seventh but came up empty. Munetaka Murakami began the inning with a single. The Sox eventually loaded the bases with two outs, but second baseman Cole Young made a nice play on a grounder by Tristan Peters and narrowly threw out the Sox center fielder at first.

The Sox finally broke through in the eighth against Eduard Bazardo, with Grichuk’s leadoff home run tying the score at 1.

“A big swing by Grich, put himself in a really good position there to get a hanging breaking ball,” Venable said.

Romo doubled and advanced to third on Sam Antonacci’s bunt. The Mariners intentionally walked Murakami, and Vargas followed with a sacrifice fly to shallow left. Randy Arozarena’s throw sailed over the catcher’s head, and Romo scored what turned out to be the winning run.

The Sox received solid pitching from starter Davis Martin, who allowed one run on three hits with nine strikeouts and two walks in six innings. Relievers Sean Newcomb, Bryan Hudson and Seranthony Domínguez each pitched one scoreless inning.

Hudson picked up the victory, working around a two-out hit in the eighth. Domínguez collected his ninth save, getting out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth.

“Everybody knows that we have a really good group, a lot of talent here, and we’re just putting the pieces together and growing up as a team,” Domínguez said.

2. An aggressive send made the difference.

Romo had a “yes, yes, yes, no” mentality as he stood on third base representing the go-ahead run in the eighth.

“That was a shallow fly ball and I'm a catcher, I'm not the fastest guy,” Romo said. “So it's, yes, I'm going until he stops me. And (third-base coach Justin Jirschele) just told me to keep on going.”

Romo took off and scored when Arozarena’s throw sailed high.

“So ball goes up, obviously yelling tag right away to get him back to the bag, get his foot on the bag,” Jirschele said. “It's just a read after that. Thought it was a decent read with Randy coming in, coming in full speed. And then a little bit of the hesitation getting it out of his glove and taking a chance there with two outs to take the lead.”

The plan worked.

“A good throw, maybe he's out and you look like a fool sometimes, but you have to live with both sides,” Jirschele said.

3. Kyle Teel is preparing to take his next step.

The injured catcher is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, the Sox announced Sunday.

It’s a big step in the process for Teel, who has been sidelined since suffering a right hamstring strain in a March 10 World Baseball Classic game with Italy.

“I feel excited,” Teel said. “I’m ready to get playing.”

Teel slashed .273/.375/.411 with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 78 games with the Sox in 2025.

“I would argue Kyle Teel is as good a player as we have,” Venable said Saturday. “You saw him last year, obviously at the plate the things he can do offensively, defensively, on the bases. He's a really good player we'll be excited to get back in the lineup.”

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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM.