The Chicago White Sox gutted out a 7-5 comeback win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, August 16, overcoming a three-run deficit to take the division rivalry game in nine innings. Munetaka Murakami homered and drove in two, Drew Romo added a two-run shot, and Miguel Vargas contributed a solo blast as the Sox offense did enough damage to bail out a shaky start from Sean Burke. Hagen Smith earned the win and Sean Newcomb closed it out with 2.1 scoreless innings to secure the save. This is spring training preparation for the 2026 regular season — and the Sox showed some genuine resilience in the process.

White Sox Offense Provides the Firepower in Detroit

Burke was not sharp early, surrendering four earned runs on five hits and three walks across 4.1 innings, and the White Sox found themselves chasing. But when Detroit's bullpen entered the picture, Chicago pounced. Tyler Holton took the loss after a brutal sixth inning — three earned runs on three hits and two walks in just one frame — and the Sox carried that momentum through to the final out.

The offensive contributions were spread across the lineup. Romo went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Murakami matched him with a homer and two RBI of his own, going 1-for-5 on the day. Vargas provided a solo shot in 4 at-bats, and Colson Montgomery chipped in two hits and an RBI in four trips to the plate.

Key Performers: White Sox Batters

  • Drew Romo — 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
  • Munetaka Murakami — 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
  • Miguel Vargas — 1-for-4, HR, 1 RBI
  • Colson Montgomery — 2-for-4, 1 RBI

Turning Point: Holton's Rough Inning and Romo, Montgomery Deliver

Without inning-by-inning play-by-play available, the boxscore tells the story clearly enough: Holton entered in relief and couldn't get out of his inning, giving up three earned runs on three hits and two walks. That was the moment the Tigers' lead evaporated and the Sox took control. Detroit's pitching staff couldn't contain the White Sox offense, and Chicago made them pay.

On the mound for the Sox, Hagen Smith earned the win with 1.2 innings of work, allowing no hits and just one walk while striking out one. Huascar Brazobán had a tougher go — an earned run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning — but Newcomb came on and shut Detroit down over the final 2.1 frames: no hits, one walk, two strikeouts, and the save. Clean and efficient when the Sox needed it most.

Detroit Bats: Tigers Had Their Moments

Detroit wasn't without its own contributors. Colt Keith went 2-for-2 with a home run and an RBI, and Gleyber Torres added two hits in five at-bats. The Tigers generated enough offense to keep it interesting, but their bullpen — specifically Holton's rough inning — proved to be the difference.

What's Next for the White Sox

With spring training 2026 still providing the broader context for where this roster is headed, performances like Sunday's carry real evaluation weight. Three different White Sox hitters going deep in the same game, a comeback from three runs down, and a bullpen that finished strong — those are the kinds of reads the organization needs heading into the regular season. The Sox will look to build on this result in their next matchup.