CHICAGO -- Forgive Braden Montgomery if he was darn near speechless after the White Sox claimed a 6-5 victory in 10 innings over the Braves on Tuesday night at Rate Field.
The 23-year-old rookie just made history in his Major League debut, so he had reason to search a bit for that perfect explanation. Luckily for the White Sox, he was right on target against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias with two outs in the 10th inning.
Montgomery connected on a second straight changeup from Iglesias, lining it out over the left-field fence for a two-run game-winner. The switch-hitter became the fifth player in Major League Baseball history to launch a walk-off homer in his MLB debut, joining Carlos Perez (2015), Miguel Cabrera (2003), Josh Bard (2002) and Billy Parker (1971), per Elias.
“That was … I still don’t know what to say,” said Montgomery, standing in front of his locker after emerging unscathed from the postgame frenzy. “That was unreal.”
“It was unreal,” echoed reliever Grant Taylor, who earned the victory by allowing one unearned run over two innings of relief. “That’s probably the coolest debut of all-time.”
The heroics erased a 5-4 lead for the Braves (45-22) and came on the heels of Montgomery’s first career hit in the fourth, when he singled to left to also produce his first career RBI. Catcher Kyle Teel, who came over from Boston with Montgomery in the Garrett Crochet trade, was talking postgame of Montgomery’s great power the other way and wasn’t surprised by the direction of Montgomery’s connection.
His 343-foot drive came in front of his parents and countless other friends and family members, after receiving the news of his promotion Monday from Triple-A Charlotte manager Chad Pinder. But here’s the real question for the No. 21 prospect overall and No. 2 for the White Sox, according to MLB Pipeline: What does he do for an encore?
“I guess from here on out, it’s all downhill?” said Montgomery with a wry smile. “The highest of the highs. We’ll see.”
“We all have this thought of what our debut is going to be like, and very few of us get to experience something like that,” said right-hander Erick Fedde, who allowed one earned run over five innings. “I'm really just happy for him, and all the hard work, he deserves it. I'm sure he won't forget this one.”
A 17th comeback victory for the White Sox makes them 13-6 in games decided by one run. Quite honestly, it’s a game this team would not have won at any point in the last three seasons, including after the 2025 All-Star break when fortunes started to change.
Three White Sox runners were thrown out at home plate, with Chase Meidroth getting caught on Luisangel Acuna’s failed safety squeeze in the fourth and Randal Grichuk being nailed at the plate on Drew Romo’s safety squeeze in the sixth. Pinch-runner Derek Hill also was thrown out by Eli White on Sam Antonacci’s single to right in that same frame.
Meidroth had the bunt sign with runners on first and second and nobody out in the seventh of a tie game. But with the corners crashing, he swung away and hit into a double play.
Manager Will Venable seemed a bit frustrated postgame, and even referred to the team’s situational execution as “a disaster” while putting a great deal of the onus on himself.
“Not frustrated,” Venable said. “Being able to execute is a big part of winning. We have to do a better job of that. That starts with me and just putting on the right plays and putting these guys in the right spots. That's on me, but no frustration, believe me.”
The White Sox moved within a half-game of Cleveland for the American League Central lead and at 35-31, they are actually one up in the loss column. Tuesday’s victory improved the White Sox to 17-3 in their past 20 games at home, with the South Side magic continuing to grow.
Montgomery became the 12th White Sox player to make his Major League debut this season. His closing moment sent off a Rate Field party carrying on well after Montgomery was mobbed at home plate.
“It was something out of dreams. It’s something that I couldn’t have even drawn up any better myself,” Montgomery said. “It’s a group effort. The White Sox isn’t just us as players. It’s the staff. It’s the fans. It’s the city. It’s cool to all celebrate together.”