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White Sox at Blue Jays — Series recap (Chicago takes it, 2-1)

The White Sox didn’t just survive a trip to Rogers Centre — they controlled it, taking two of three from Toronto and walking out with a 13-5 record that keeps the early-season momentum roaring. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, were left to settle for damage control at 10-9 after Chicago won the series by outscoring Toronto 16-9 and out-hitting them 23-16.

And if this set had a theme, it was this: Chicago’s young bats landed the loud punches early, and the pitching finished the job late — even on the night it got complicated.

Game 1 (Apr. 21): White Sox 10, Blue Jays 2

Chicago set the tone like a team playing with the remote in its hand.

The Sox struck fast against Toronto lefty Ricky Tiedemann, and the inning that broke the night wide open came in the second, when Miguel Vargas launched a 3-run homer as part of a 10-hit, 10-run assault. Vargas finished as the spark plug and sledgehammer, while Luis Robert Jr. added his own thunder with a solo HR and a 2-hit, 2-RBI line as Chicago kept stacking stress on Toronto’s pitching staff.

Chicago’s patience was just as punishing: the Sox drew 8 walks, constantly forcing Toronto into long counts and traffic.

On the mound, Grant Taylor gave Chicago exactly what it needed: 6 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, and he kept the game from ever drifting into danger. From there, Jarold Rosado handled the rest with 3 scoreless innings for the save, allowing no hits.

Toronto’s night got worse in the “notable” column — Tiedemann was injured while pitching, and the Blue Jays ended up burning through the bullpen trying to put out a fire that kept spreading.

Game 2 (Apr. 22): Blue Jays 6, White Sox 4

For six innings, it looked like Chicago was about to make it a quick series.

The Sox pieced together a lead and got key production from Kyle Teel, who delivered 2 hits and 2 RBIs, keeping the offense moving even without the same fireworks from the opener.

But the game — and the mood of the series — flipped in the bottom of the 7th. Toronto exploded for four runs in the inning, capped by Jonatan Clase’s 3-run homer, and suddenly a Chicago advantage turned into a late scramble.

Chicago starter Jack Flaherty worked 5 innings, allowing 2 runs, but the bullpen inning that followed became the hinge point, and Toronto didn’t waste the opportunity. The Blue Jays finished with 7 hits, but they made the biggest ones count when the pressure peaked.

Still, even in the loss, the bigger takeaway was clear: Chicago wasn’t getting bullied in Toronto — it just took one inning of Toronto’s best swing to steal a game.

Transaction note: That same day, the White Sox made a roster move, optioning SP Victor Mendez to AAA Charlotte (Apr. 22) — a move that reads like an early-season churn to keep the staff fresh and the roles clean.

Game 3 (Apr. 23): White Sox 2, Blue Jays 1

After the bullpen gut-punch the night before, Chicago answered with a win that looked like a contender’s win: tight, efficient, and pitching-driven.

The offense wasn’t loud — it was timely. Eguy Rosario supplied the first run with a solo home run, and later Edgar Quero delivered the backbreaker with an RBI triple that pushed Chicago ahead. That was the entire scoring résumé… and it was enough.

Because Shane Smith was dealing.

Smith spun 7 scoreless innings, scattering 3 hits and striking out 6, giving Chicago the kind of start that calms a dugout and squeezes the opponent inning by inning. Toronto didn’t score until the 9th, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. cut the lead with a solo shot, but Chicago’s bullpen still finished the job. Edwin Díaz ultimately locked down save No. 7, preserving the win and the series.

And even in a low-scoring game, Chicago found ways to apply pressure — Luis Robert Jr. reached base twice and collected two hits, while also wreaking havoc on the bases to keep Toronto’s defense checking its mirrors all night.

Series by the numbers

Record impact: White Sox to 13-5, Blue Jays to 10-9

Series score: White Sox 2, Blue Jays 1

Runs: Chicago 16, Toronto 9

Hits: Chicago 23, Toronto 16

Statement performances:

Miguel Vargas powered the opener (including a 3-run HR)

Kyle Teel drove in 2 runs in the middle game

Shane Smith: 7 IP, 0 R, 6 K in the finale

Grant Taylor + Rosado: combined to close out Game 1 cleanly