White Sox 3, Rockies 2: At least we have fireworks

Adrian Houser was untouchable as the Rockies fell on Independence Day

Multiple rookie hitters had fun moments, but it was Adrian Houser who stole the show as he propelled the Chicago White Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Independence Day.

Montgomery’s snag

Sorry, I know it’s not a Rockies highlight, but I love me some web gems, especially when it’s a rookie.

Colson Montgomery, in his first ever MLB game, showed why White Sox fans are so excited about his arrival when, in the bottom of the second inning, he robbed Ryan Ritter of a bloop base hit by running out into left field and diving backwards to make a spectacular catch.

Not bad at all, rook.

Welcome to the Show, Yanquiel!

Speaking of exciting moments for rookies, Yanquiel Fernández had one of his own when he faced down Adrian Houser to lead off the bottom of the third inning. With the count at 1-1, Fernández grounded a sinker-that-didn’t-sink into right field to record his first hit in Major League Baseball.

Hopefully this is just the first of a great many for Fernández, who Rockies fans hope will be a cornerstone of Colorado’s lineup in the future.

Chicago strikes

Antonio Senzatela and Adrian Houser were able to keep things squared at 0 for the first third of the game, but it would be Senza who faltered first.

In the top of the fourth inning, consecutive singles by Andrew Benintendi and Miguel Vargas put two on with nobody out for Chicago. After moving to third and second base, respectively, on Brooks Baldwin’s sacrifice bunt, Benintendi and Vargas were joined on the basepaths by Edgar Quero, who walked to load them up for Colson Montgomery.

Senzatela managed to coax a soft line out of the rookie shortstop for the second out, but Michael A Taylor singled to right field, placing the ball just in front of a charging Tyler Freeman to supply his team with a 2-0 lead.

Taking advantage

Sometimes all you need is a lucky break, and that’s what the Rockies got in the bottom of the fifth frame.

Michael Toglia’s one-out double set the Rockies up for their first scoring opportunity of the game. Ryan Ritter then grounded an easy out to third base, but Josh Rojas’ throw got by first baseman Miguel Vargas, who seemingly lost the ball in the sun. The error allowed Toglia to wheel around the bases and score Colorado’s first run of the contest while Ritter scrambled to second.

Tyler Freeman would tie the game at 2 two batters later when his ninth double of the season brought Ritter home.

The two runs (both unearned) evened things up as the game entered the later innings.

Quer-oh no…

Edgar Quero is another exciting rookie on Chicago’s roster. Like Montgomery, he’s viewed as an integral part of the team’s future plans, and he took one step closer to cementing his role when, in the top of the sixth, he hammered Senzatela’s low-and-in curveball out to right field for a go-ahead home run, the first round-tripper of his young career.

Quero has struggled batting from the left side this season, but that didn’t stop him from launching the ball 401 feet for the lead.

Senzatela’s night ended after 5 ²⁄₃ innings, during which he allowed three earned runs on seven hits, a walk, and four strikeouts.

House say can you see

Adrian Houser has been in MLB a while now, but Friday night’s outing stood against just about any other in his career. The veteran right-hander completely stifled Colorado’s offense, tossing eight excellent innings and allowing just two runs (none earned) against two hits, two walks, and six strikeouts.

Friday’s start was the second-longest in terms of innings in his MLB tenure, second only to a complete game shutout thrown back in 2021. He peppered the strike zone and allowed very little solid contact beyond that wacky fifth inning. Houser now owns a 1.60 ERA on the 2025 season… is that good?

The end of the line

Though Colorado’s bullpen kept things close, their efforts were for naught. Grant Taylor, the White Sox closer, entered in the bottom of the ninth and sent down Jordan Beck and Thairo Estrada before allowing a Mickey Moniak single, bringing Ryan McMahon to the plate as the winning run.

Unfortunately, McMahon wasn’t able to come up with the big, game-winning hit. He struck out swinging to end Colorado’s hopes of an epic comeback win. He’s now 2 for his last 24 at the plate.

Up next

These two teams will run it back tomorrow evening. In game two of the series, Chicago’s Jonathan Cannon (2-7, 4.59 ERA) will match up against Germán Márquez (3-9, 5.62 ERA).

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm MDT. See you then!

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