White Sox Dominate
Luis Castillo's 10-strikeout gem leads White Sox to 5-0 shutout victory against the Reds
Key Points
Sam Antonacci went 3-for-5 with a double as part of Chicago's 11-hit attack, pacing the lineup in the win.
Chase Meidroth, returning from a left wrist issue, showcased his recent hot form by powering a two-run homer and entering a seven-game stretch hitting .385/.467/.769 with three homers.
Drew Romo homered in the third and later drove in another run, marking his first homer since May 25 and his sixth of the season, continuing a productive stretch for the catcher.
Luis Castillo totaled a season-high 10 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings, with 22 swings and misses—the most by a White Sox pitcher this season and the franchise's most since 2024.
Luis Castillo was nearly untouchable in his home debut for the Chicago White Sox, striking out 10 and allowing just one hit over seven scoreless innings in a 5-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds, according to CBS News. Castillo, acquired from Seattle in an Aug. 1 trade, generated 22 swings and misses — the most by a White Sox pitcher this season and the most in the franchise since 2024.
Chase Meidroth and Drew Romo each homered to back Castillo's effort. Chicago spread 11 hits across the lineup and never trailed, handing Cincinnati its latest offensive collapse, per WHAS11.
Castillo's 22 Swing-and-Misses Stifle Former Club
Castillo faced his former team and made them look helpless. He retired 11 straight batters at one point and walked just two, according to CBS News. The Reds finished with only two total hits on the night. His 10 strikeouts matched his season high and tied his longest outing of the year at seven innings.
The 22 swings and misses were the headline number. That figure leads all White Sox starters this season, per Clutch Points. It signals elite deception — hitters were not just missing, they were swinging at air. For a rotation that has struggled all year, Castillo looks like the anchor Chicago badly needed.
Meidroth's Hot Streak Powers Chicago's Offense
Chase Meidroth returned from a left wrist issue and looked like he never left. He went 2-for-4 and launched a two-run homer in the sixth inning to push the lead to 3-0. Over his last seven games, Meidroth is hitting .385 with a .467 on-base percentage, three homers, and a .769 slugging percentage, according to Head Top Topics.
Meidroth's return gave the lineup a needed boost. His power from the left side pairs well with Chicago's other options and reduces pressure on any single hitter to carry the team.
Romo Homer and Antonacci's Three Hits Round Out Attack
Drew Romo hit his sixth homer of the season in the third inning — his first since May 25. He also drove in another run later, giving him two RBIs on the night. Romo's production from the catcher position adds real depth to a lineup that has often been thin, per Red Leg Nation.
Sam Antonacci went 3-for-5 with a double to pace the lineup. Chicago's 11-hit attack was spread across multiple contributors, not just one hot bat. Rhett Lowder took the loss for Cincinnati after struggling to keep the White Sox off the bases.
Bullpen Slams Door on Any Reds Comeback
After Castillo exited, the White Sox bullpen did its job cleanly. Hagen Smith and Huascar Brazobán combined to finish the game without allowing a run. The shutout came one game after a bullpen hiccup, showing Chicago can bounce back quickly, according to Clutch Points.
The complete effort — strong starter, multi-run offense, and a tidy bullpen — is exactly what Chicago needs as it pushes toward the playoff picture. If Castillo continues pitching like this, the White Sox rotation suddenly looks a lot more dangerous.
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