CHICAGO -- Miguel Vargas always knew third base was his defensive position.
He made that comment as far back as SoxFest in late January, looking forward to playing there regularly in 2026, and has backed up those strong words almost every day during his breakout campaign.
He did so again Thursday to help his club move back into first place in the American League Central.
Vargas made a pair of key defensive plays late in a 3-1 win over Detroit at Rate Field to bring Chicago back into a tie atop the division. The White Sox and Guardians are both 78-75 with nine games to play, but the White Sox hold the head-to-head tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series over their rivals.
With two outs in the top of the eighth and the tying run at the plate for the Tigers, Vargas leapt to snare a Max Clark chopper on the infield. His throw to first was late, but he raced back to third base, fielded a throw from first baseman Munetaka Murakami and slapped down an acrobatic off-balance tag on Detroit’s Brett Callahan. Callahan was initially ruled safe at third, but the White Sox successfully challenged the call and escaped the inning.
Just the act of getting to Clark’s high-hopper was impressive enough work done by Vargas.
“I was trying to make the play,” Vargas said. “I know it was a hard play to take the out first, but once I saw him turning to third, I know we have a chance. Mune did a really good job and it wasn’t a really easy throw to make.
“That was all him. Being able to make that play in that moment was huge for the team.”
Murakami said Vargas called for the ball as soon as Callahan broke for the momentarily uncovered base, with the Tigers trailing by two runs.
“Every single day, I play catch with him,” said Murakami of Vargas, through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “I knew where to throw to him and it was overall a great play.”
“Once I threw that ball, I was ready to go to third and cover the bag,” Vargas said. “I was ready, but like I said before, everything was on Mune.”
Even before the call was official, Vargas thought Callahan was out at third.
“Yeah, I knew I had him,” Vargas said. “It was a tough play. It was so fast for me. A lot of movement. Me being on the ground and all that stuff. I know I had it and I’m glad we turned that play.”
"Some really good defensive plays and we've seen what it means to cash in on outs when you have them there,” manager Will Venable said. “Some unique plays tonight, but the guys made the plays. We saw it obviously made a big difference.”
In the ninth, Vargas charged a Gleyber Torres grounder and tagged out Colt Keith on the way to third base before rifling a throw across the diamond to retire Torres for a game-ending double play. It was another moment strengthening Vargas’ third-base belief from eight months ago -- if not one he held longer.
“That was one of my biggest things coming into this year, to help my team defensively,” Vargas said. “I know I still can get better and I think [third-base and infield coach Justin Jirschele] helped me a lot, too.
“I love where I am right now defensively. To be able to know not only on the offensive side, but help my team on the defensive side, means a lot.”