The Chicago White Sox erased a three-run deficit and beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Randal Grichuk delivered the decisive blow with a two-RBI home run, and Chicago's bullpen pieced together enough strong innings to hold on in the final frames, giving the Sox a hard-fought one-run victory in nine innings. It was a comeback win that required every out down the stretch.

Randal Grichuk Powers Sox Offense With Home Run

Grichuk was Chicago's biggest offensive contributor on Saturday, going 1-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. His home run was the kind of swing that changes the complexion of a ball game, and in this one it did exactly that. Sam Antonacci also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-4 and providing the top of the order with some consistent contact throughout the night.

White Sox Bullpen Navigates a Chaotic Night on the Mound

The pitching story for Chicago was messy but ultimately productive. Luis Castillo started and was pulled after 2.2 innings, having allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts. The Sox bullpen then took over, cycling through five arms before the final out.

Hagen Smith delivered the cleanest stretch of the night for Chicago, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no hits allowed. Grant Taylor worked 1.2 innings, surrendering one earned run on three hits but punching out three batters. Jordan Hicks, who entered late in the game, walked one batter in a third of an inning but did not allow a run — and earned the win. Bryan Hudson closed it out with a scoreless ninth inning, striking out one, to record the save.

Cardinals Offense Kept Pressure on Chicago Throughout

St. Louis made the Sox work for every out. Nathan Church went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Cardinals, while Masyn Winn added two hits and two RBI. Leo Bernal contributed a solo home run. On the pitching side, Kyle Leahy was sharp for St. Louis early, throwing three scoreless innings with four strikeouts on just two hits and no walks. Cooper Hjerpe followed but struggled, allowing four earned runs in one inning on two hits and four walks — the key sequence that let Chicago back into the game.

Turning Point: The White Sox Four-Run Frame

The metadata confirms Chicago overcame a three-run deficit, and the boxscore points directly to the Hjerpe inning as the pivot. Four earned runs allowed by the Cardinals reliever in a single frame turned what looked like a comfortable St. Louis lead into a White Sox advantage. Once Chicago had the lead, Hudson and the late relievers did enough to preserve it.

What's Next for the White Sox

  • The White Sox continue their road series against the St. Louis Cardinals following Saturday's win.
  • Chicago will look to build on the momentum of a comeback victory as the 2026 regular season moves deeper into September.
  • The bullpen's workload Saturday — six pitchers used — will be worth monitoring heading into the next game.