How does a player get a double on a grounder that deflects off the glove of a drawn-in infielder?
Chicago White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci demonstrated how in the sixth inning Sunday against the Minnesota Twins.
The Sox led by one run and were in position for more when Antonacci batted with runners on second and third and one out.
The Twins brought the infield in.
Antonacci hit a grounder back up the middle. Twins second baseman Kody Clemens dove, and the ball deflected off his glove and rolled into center field.
“I just feel like I have a good knack for knowing when I can take that extra base and when not,” Antonacci said. “I know obviously at times I get in trouble with it a little bit, but hopefully more times than not, I’m successful at it.”
Chicago White Sox closing pitcher Tyler Davis celebrates after his team defeated the Minnesota Twins in a game Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Two runs scored while Antonacci hustled out of the box and reached second safely for a double.
“It starts out of the box,” manager Will Venable said. “He has created a really good habit. It’s something we talked about during spring training. First step out of the box. But that’s just Sammy and how he plays. He’s always thinking two and puts himself in a really good spot to get there.”
Antonacci later scored on a single by Randal Grichuk.
Antonacci had three doubles, two RBIs and two runs in a 10-1 victory in front of 32,024 at Rate Field. Grichuk (solo) and Kyle Teel (three-run) homered during a five-run eighth inning as the Sox won two of three in the series.
“Everyone offensively had a great day,” Venable said. “Sam was outstanding hitting the ball the other way. Obviously, big hit with the infield drawn in. Great base running. Outstanding day from Sammy.”
The first-place Sox (75-68) remain 2 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central. The Guardians (73-71) topped the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in 10 innings on Sunday. The third-place Twins (68-75) fell to seven games back.
The Sox relied on their bullpen in Sunday’s victory, utilizing four relievers following opener Bryan Hudson. The five pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts and just one walk.
“Everybody threw the ball well,” lefty Hagen Smith said.
Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox steals second base past Kaelen Culpepper of the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at Rate Field on Sept. 6, 2026, in Chicago. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Smith retired all nine batters he faced, striking out three, while pitching a career-high three innings.
“To be honest, we didn’t account for Hagen going three innings,” Venable said. “That was really special. Covering an extra inning for us was huge. Put us in a spot where we were able to push Grant (Taylor) back a little bit. It was really nice for us.
“He has shown it all year, he’s really special. When he’s in the zone, he’s hard to square up. Gets a ton of swing-and-miss. Gets chase. He’s impressive.”
Smith has a 0.56 ERA in his 10 appearances.
“I felt good. I think just being efficient. Just kind of getting through at-bats quick and it allowed me to go deeper in the game,” Smith said of Sunday’s outing.
In addition to Smith’s four punchouts, Hudson had two while Jordan Hicks, Tyler Davis and Taylor each struck out three.
“Tonight was all about the bullpen in my eyes,” Antonacci said. “I thought Hagen threw really well. It was probably the best I’ve ever seen him throw, and it’s just kind of him saying, ‘Here’s all my stuff, and just go hit it.’
“It was really fun to watch the rest of the guys too, they did a really good job.”
Run support came in the fifth inning. Antonacci doubled and scored on a single to right by Munetaka Murakami.
Antonacci was in the middle of the action again one inning later with his two-run hustle double that stretched the lead to 3-0. Grichuk drove him in with a two-out single.
“Just excited and happy to produce for my team,” Antonacci said. “Felt like I haven’t done that in a while, so to be able to help them out and ultimately come out on top tonight is September baseball. It doesn’t matter how you get it done as long as you’re winning and every game’s a playoff game from here on out.”
The Sox added one run in the seventh and five more in the eighth — including a solo home run by Grichuk and the three-run home run by Teel. They wrapped up the season series with an 8-5 record against the Twins.
“Nights like this show what we’re capable of,” Teel said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. We have a really special group here. I’m looking forward for what’s to come.”