MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth walked back to the dugout after his two-run, second-inning homer with a revelation.
“He came into the dugout and he was like, ‘Dude, homers are sick,’” shortstop Colson Montgomery said after Monday’s 6-5 win over the Twins. “I was like, ‘Yeah, they are pretty sick.’”
For a moment, Meidroth got to feel what Montgomery feels seemingly every week.
Montgomery belted his 16th homer of the season — two behind infielder Lenyn Sosa’s 18 despite playing in 73 fewer games – off right-hander Bailey Ober on a 2-0 slider in the second inning of Monday’s win. He finished 2-for-5 with an RBI.
“I saw it in Charlotte, so it’s great that [Montgomery’s] having the success he’s having because he’s put in a lot of work,” said Meidroth, who went 1-for-4. “From the beginning of the season when we were in Triple A together … we were playing up the middle and talking about things like this all year.”
Montgomery has homered six times in his last seven games and in each of his four games against the Twins. His 16 homers through his first 47 career games are the second most by a Sox hitter to start their career, trailing Jose Abreu, who hit 17 in his first 47 games.
“From playing with him in the fall league in ‘23, and getting to know him, I’m super happy for him,” said reliever Jordan Leasure, who recorded the save. “I hope he keeps it going for the next 10-15 years.”
Montgomery has an easy-going, laid-back demeanor that helps him deal with the ups and downs of baseball. Even though he’s on a superb power stretch, Montgomery tries to keep everything in perspective. He knows more than most how unforgiving baseball can be.
“Just compete and have fun,” Montgomery said, “and whatever happens, happens. That’s what everybody was doing today. Everybody was swinging it pretty well. Even against the Yankees, I feel like we outhit them in most games. It’s just a matter of getting runs across the board and we did that today.”
Meidroth day to day
Meidroth is day to day after injuring his ankle in the sixth while running down the first-base line. He looked back to see if Montgomery scored from third base and rolled his ankle on the first-base bag. Manager Will Venable pinch ran for Meidroth in the eighth.
“We’ll see where he’s at for playing tomorrow,” Venable said of Meidroth. “I just took him out there as a runner to just upgrade on the speed, but he just rolled his ankle; he’ll be evaluated further.”
Meidroth didn’t seem too concerned about the ankle in the locker room, figuring he’ll be ready to go sooner rather than later. Meidroth’s homer — his fourth of the season helped the Sox get out to an early lead.
“The little fella, he got it over the fence,” Montgomery said of Meidroth. “That was good. We have guys [who] can make big-time plays, so it was just a matter of time.”
Roster moves
The White Sox recalled left-hander Fraser Ellard and infielder Bryan Ramos from Triple-A Charlotte.
In Monday’s win, Ellard threw 1 ⅔ innings, allowing one run (unearned) with three walks and two strikeouts.