Martin's latest gem secures White Sox 1st winning month since '23

CHICAGO -- Davis Martin sported a suit while doing his media session after the White Sox 6-2 victory over the Twins Thursday afternoon at Rate Field.

Although the right-hander warned everyone not to grow accustomed to such fancy attire and was dressed for the organization’s “Beyond the Diamond” charity gala taking place later that evening, it seemed fitting.

After all, Martin has looked sharp on the mound since the start of the 2026 season.

And his effort was no different in clinching the four-game series victory against the Twins (27-30). Martin set a single-season high in victories as he improved to 8-1 by allowing one run on two hits over six innings and 84 pitches. He posted three wins over nine starts as a rookie in 2022, didn’t win in 10 ‘24 starts and finished 7-10 last season.

What’s the difference between Martin now and Martin from two years ago? It’s confidence in himself and his team.

“Obviously the stuff is great, being able to repeat the stuff over and over again,” Martin said. “But I think just understanding the kind of team we have, the kind of offense we have, the kind of stuff that I have, it leads to a lot of confidence.”

“It’s incredible to watch,” said White Sox center fielder Tristan Peters, who had three of the team’s eight hits and drove in one. “I feel like it makes my job easy out there. Especially seeing it from center field, too, just the way his ball moves. No wonder people are struggling to hit it.”

Peters wasn’t scheduled to start Thursday, with left-hander Kendry Rojas as the Twins probable starter. Rojas was scratched close to first pitch with posterior elbow soreness, giving way to right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson, and White Sox manager Will Venable quickly changed to the left-handed-hitting Peters and Rikuu Nishida in place of right-handed hitting Luisangel Acuña and Derek Hill.

Venable stayed with right-handed Randal Grichuk at designated hitter, and the move paid dividends. Grichuk responded with a bases-clearing double during a four-run third inning.

“Typically [Andrew Benintendi] would be in there at DH, but Grichuk has been good on both sides of the plate,” Venable said. “With the change so close to the game, I just didn't think it was fair to Grich or Benny to make that change. And [I] certainly have confidence in Grich's ability to handle both sides on the mound.”

Thursday’s victory pushed the White Sox to 15-10 in May, with three weekend home games to play against the Tigers before the schedule enters June. They are guaranteed a winning month for the first time since May 2023, when they posted a 15-14 ledger.

Those numbers aren’t exactly a sign to start printing playoff tickets or map out parade routes. But it is another example of the South Siders’ consistency moving toward greater excellence from day to day.

“Our floor has been raised, certainly, and the expectation for what it looks like every day should be elevated from where it was last year, obviously,” Venable said. “It’s great to get those results, but we still are focused on the things we do well and leaning into those, and the things we need to work on and continue to improve.

“Record aside, that’s the continued focus. But certainly two months of playing .500 baseball or better is a good indication that we’re headed in the right direction.”

May’s winning results follow a 13-13 showing in April, which was the first sign of a White Sox turnaround. Martin sits at the center of these improved fortunes, tying Cleveland’s Gavin Williams for the American League lead at eight victories, lowering his ERA to 2.00 overall and 1.21 over five starts at home.

Don’t try to get Martin to talk too much about individual numbers, as he explained to MLB.com this past weekend in San Francisco. He’s more interested in the 29-27 White Sox and how his future contributes to the team’s future.

“Our offense bangs, we play great defense, it leads to these types of things. It’s a fun team,” Martin said. “I don’t think it’s anything that I’m doing different. It’s a byproduct of a team doing a lot of good stuff together. It’s a good team to be a part of, and it’s exciting every start date waking up knowing that you’ve got a chance to win.”

“That’s a credit to the energy around here. It’s guys lifting each other up,” Peters said. “As the guys get closer, as we all get closer together -- learn each other’s habits and stuff -- we get more and more confident every day.”