The White Sox fall to the Mariners 8-6 on Aug. 7 despite Andrew Vaughn's HR. See how Julio Rodríguez's key hit doomed Chicago's bullpen once again.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a script White Sox fans have come to know all too well in 2025. Glimmers of hope from the young core, a powerful swing from a veteran leader, and then, the slow, painful unraveling of the bullpen. Thursday night in Seattle was another chapter in that frustrating book, as the Sox built a lead only to see it evaporate in a decisive 8-6 defeat at the hands of the Mariners.
'We value Luis as a core piece for our future.'
Andrew Vaughn did his part, launching a three-run shot for his 19th home run of the season, and rookie Colson Montgomery continued to look like he belongs, collecting two hits and scoring twice. But it wasn't enough. Starter Shane Smith battled but was tagged for five runs (four earned) in just 4.2 innings. The real damage came late, as the bullpen once again failed to lock it down. Reliever Bryan Shaw surrendered a back-breaking, two-run double to Mariners star Julio Rodríguez in the 7th inning, which proved to be the decisive blow. The loss drops the Sox to a painful 42-72 on the season.
The front office is clearly still tinkering, looking for a spark. Prior to the game, the team optioned a struggling Oscar Colás (.211 BA) to Triple-A Charlotte, recalling infielder Lenyn Sosa in his place. Sosa earned the promotion by hitting a robust .298 with 12 homers in the minors and will get a look at second and third. In more encouraging news, a major piece of the offense could be back soon. Outfielder Eloy Jiménez, out since July with a hamstring strain, is slated to begin a rehab assignment this weekend in Charlotte. His bat would be a welcome addition to the lineup.
While the big-league club struggles, the future continues to develop. MLB Pipeline's latest rankings reaffirmed LHP Noah Schultz as the organization's top prospect. The towering lefty is dominating at Double-A Birmingham with a 2.98 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 91 innings. He's not alone. Colson Montgomery is already making an impact in Chicago, while recent draftees Braden Montgomery and Caleb Bonemer are trending up. Bonemer, just 19, is hitting .312 with 14 homers at Low-A Kannapolis, where he recently had another strong showing alongside speedy middle infielder Jordan Sprinkle.
The loss serves as another reminder of the team's position, but it also reinforces the front office's strategy at the trade deadline. Despite rampant speculation, GM Chris Getz held firm and did not trade superstar Luis Robert Jr., whose diving catch was a rare defensive highlight on Thursday. Getz's statement that the team views Robert Jr. as 'a core piece for our future' was a clear declaration. The quiet deadline signaled a commitment to building around the established star, rather than tearing everything down to the studs.
One tough loss in August doesn't define a season, especially not a rebuilding one. The frustration from another bullpen meltdown is real, but so is the promise shown by Montgomery, the power from Vaughn, and the impending return of Jiménez. As the losses mount, the real wins for the White Sox in 2025 will be measured by the development of players like Schultz and Bonemer and the continued excellence of their cornerstone, Luis Robert Jr. We keep grinding, as Montgomery said. On to the next one.
