Full Breakdown
Yankees Rally Past White Sox 9-5 Behind Sanchez’s First Career Homer
7/28/2026, 11:34:27 PM
Core Event
The New York Yankees defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-5 in the series opener at Rate Field. Ali Sánchez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the eighth inning—the first of his major-league career—giving New York a 9-4 lead. Ben Rice’s two-out single in the seventh provided the decisive go-ahead run, and David Bednar recorded his 21st save by striking out Chase Meidroth with two on in the ninth.
Background & Context
Both clubs entered as playoff contenders. The Yankees improved to 60-46, within 2½ games of the AL East lead. The White Sox, at 55-50, kept a two-game cushion atop the AL Central despite the loss. The game followed a rain-delayed start and a 20-minute postponement of the Guardians-Reds game.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Yankees 9, White Sox 5.
- Sánchez’s first career home run (three-run, two-out).
- Bednar’s 21st save.
- Noah Schultz (White Sox) allowed three runs on two hits in 3 1/3 innings (5 K, 2 BB).
- Colson Montgomery (White Sox) recorded three hits and an RBI single.
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. added two hits, two RBI and two stolen bases for New York.
Official Statements & Responses
White Sox second-baseman Colson Montgomery praised the Yankees’ veteran depth and said the Sox “won’t go away.” Pitcher Noah Schultz credited catcher Edgar Quero for a “great game” but felt “gassed out in the fourth.” Yankees manager Aaron Boone called for cleaner defensive play while commending the team’s grit.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There were two outs, we all know (Justin Jirschele), I think he’s one of the best third-base coaches — he gets really good reads,” — Colson Montgomery
- “I thought about it in my mind a lot,” — Ali Sánchez
- “We’ve got to play cleaner than that, but it was a really gritty effort by a lot of different people in that room,” — Aaron Boone
On-the-Ground Reports
The White Sox took an early 3-0 lead, highlighted by a leadoff double from Randal Grichuk and a two-out triple by Braden Montgomery. New York answered with a four-run fourth inning, sparked by consecutive walks and a two-run double from Jazz Chisholm Jr. Defensive miscues—three errors, including a dropped pop-up by shortstop Anthony Volpe in the ninth—allowed the Yankees to extend their lead.
What’s Next
The Yankees will start Gerrit Cole (3-5, 3.92 ERA) on Tuesday night, while the White Sox will give the ball to left-hander Anthony Kay (7-4, 4.21 ERA). The next game at Rate Field is scheduled for a 6:40 p.m. start.
