The Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 6–3 in Houston on September 29, 2026, taking Game 1 of their best-of-three American League Wild Card Series. Colson Montgomery hit a solo home run, and Chicago built a 5–0 lead by the fifth inning before holding off Houston’s response.
Chicago takes control early
Houston opener AJ Blubaugh walked three batters in the first inning, and Munetaka Murakami’s sacrifice fly brought in the opening run. Chicago added two in the second on Sam Antonacci’s single. Colson Montgomery homered to center in the fourth, and Chase Meidroth added a run-scoring single in the fifth.
The Astros cut into the deficit when Nelson Velázquez hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the fifth. Chicago scored once more on a wild pitch in the seventh, while Houston’s final run came on a throwing error in the eighth. Reuters and Field Level Media reported that White Sox closer Grant Taylor recorded the final seven outs.
Series position after Game 1
The result puts Chicago one win away from advancing, with Game 2 scheduled for September 30 in Houston. The Astros still have a path to the next round if they win the remaining two games; no series winner has been determined. Chicago used five pitchers, with Jordan Hicks credited with the win.
That completed game is separate from the pre-series roster decisions covered in our Astros Wild Card roster report. The Houston Chronicle’s game coverage independently confirms the 6–3 score and Chicago’s early lead.
Sources and image credit
Reuters / Field Level Media game report (September 30, 2026 UTC) and Houston Chronicle live game report (September 29, 2026). Featured image: illustrative baseball stadium photograph by Tim Gouw / Unsplash; it does not show this game.
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