The Chicago White Sox secured their first series sweep of the 2025 season with a decisive 7–2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 20 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Backed by a dominant pitching performance from Aaron Civale and a powerful early offensive surge, the Sox continued to build momentum as they prepare for the crucial second half of their campaign.
Aaron Civale (2-6) turned in a gem on the mound, tossing six strong innings while allowing just one unearned run and three hits. The right-hander struck out six batters and did not walk a single hitter, demonstrating both poise and precision throughout his outing. This marked Civale’s first win in seven starts since coming to Chicago in a mid-June trade from Milwaukee. Reflecting on his outing, Civale said, “I focused on limiting mistakes and keeping the ball down early. The guys gave me a lot of run support, which always helps. It feels good to get a win and help the team sweep.”
The offensive fireworks began immediately for Chicago, with Miguel Vargas and Mike Tauchman delivering back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning off Pirates starter Andrew Heaney. Vargas’ three-run blast was especially significant, his 11th home run of the year and the first since mid-June, giving the Sox a quick edge. Tauchman’s towering drive cleared the right-field stands and famously bounced into the Allegheny River, energizing the visiting team’s dugout and fans alike.
Chicago’s offensive depth was on full display as Tauchman continued to roar with a two-run double in the fifth inning that chased Heaney from the game. Veterans Chase Meidroth and Michael A. Taylor also contributed with two hits apiece, helping the White Sox amass a total of ten hits in the contest. Manager Pedro Gomez praised the lineup’s balanced attack, stating, “Our guys came ready to hit today. Getting that first hit and home run early really set the tone, and the follow-up efforts kept the momentum.”
On the other side, Heaney (4-9) struggled with command inside a tough matchup, giving up seven runs on nine hits over four innings while dropping to 4-9 on the season. The Pirates, enduring an 11th loss in their last 12 games, showed signs of fight, with veteran Andrew McCutchen marking a milestone in the ninth inning by tying Pirates legend Willie Stargell for 180th on MLB’s all-time hits list with his 2,232nd career hit.
Defensively, the White Sox remained sharp, committing just one error as they stifled Pittsburgh’s offense and neutralized key threats. The Pirates managed to scratch out two runs but were ultimately unable to counter Chicago’s offensive barrage and Civale’s steady pitching.
Chicago now aims to carry this momentum into their upcoming three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, with right-hander Sean Burke slated to start Monday’s opener. For Pittsburgh, the challenge continues as they prepare to face division rival Detroit, hoping to halt their skid and regain confidence.
In summary, the White Sox’s 7-2 win at PNC Park was a decisive statement, combining a dominant starting pitching performance with an explosive lineup effort. Aaron Civale’s masterful outing paired with Vargas and Tauchman’s early power surges powered Chicago’s first series sweep of the year, signaling a team growing more confident and competitive as the 2025 season progresses.
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