White Sox starter Martín Pérez takes next step in return from the IL in a 1-0 loss to the Braves

LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune on Aug 20, 2025

Published in Baseball

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ATLANTA — The Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves combined for 43 runs in the first two games of their series at Truist Park.

Wednesday was all about pitching.

Sox starter Martín Pérez allowed one run, which was unearned, on three hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 1-0 loss to the Braves in front of 30,054.

“I was in my rhythm again and attacking from the first pitch,” Pérez said. “I think moving the ball very well, the strike zone in, was good for me today.

“I think we are doing a great job, man. We lost the game but it’s part of the game. You’ve got to keep going.”

Starter Hurston Waldrep scattered four hits in seven scoreless innings for the Braves, who took two of three in the series. Waldrep struck out seven and walked one.

“Waldrep, really good (splitter), (we) knew that coming in,” Sox manager Will Venable said. “It was extremely effective tonight. And then we had to honor that and he was able to use all his stuff effectively on top of that. So credit to him.”

The series had a little bit of everything.

The Sox won Monday’s series opener 13-9. They lost Tuesday’s game 11-10 after leading 10-4 in the sixth inning.

Wednesday was a much different game. Both teams finished with just four hits. All four hits for the Sox — by Mike Tauchman, Brooks Baldwin, Luis Robert Jr. and Curtis Mead — were singles.

“That game in general was really the opposite of what we saw the first two games,” Venable said.

Pérez struck out five and did not surrender a walk in the 74 pitch outing.

“Martín was outstanding, (had) command of all of his stuff,” Venable said. “I thought he really had that front-door sinker working to the righties. Did an outstanding job.”

Wednesday marked Pérez’s first start since returning from the 60-day injured list on Aug. 13. He made a relief appearance that afternoon, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers at Rate Field.

Pérez last started on April 18 at Boston, when he exited after three innings with left elbow inflammation. The IL stint followed.

He’s been sharp since returning.

“I’m just trying to enjoy it,” Pérez said. “Was close to being home early this year, so now I’m back and just trying to enjoy more again.”

He allowed two singles and a double on Wednesday.

“I just try to stay focused every time,” Pérez said. “When I’ve got the baseball in my hands, I just want to go out there and compete and do my best for the team. I’m able to repeat my pitches and locate them, it means it’s going to be a good day for us.

“Today was one of those days and I feel great. Hopefully we can continue to do the job.”

Venable added: “To me, he’s kind of like a 3-point shooter, that he just needs to find his touch and he’s locked in. I think it took him about three batters in his return (against the Tigers) to find it and it has just continued on. Making good pitches, commanding his stuff and throwing strikes.”

Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna connected for the double with one out in the fourth. He advanced to third when Michael Harris II grounded out to shortstop Colson Montgomery.

Montgomery couldn’t cleanly field a grounder by Ozzie Albies, and Ozuna scored to give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

That was the game’s only run.

“I told the guys last night, ‘Hey, just save a couple runs for tomorrow, please,'” Pérez said with a chuckle. “But, I mean, it is what it is, man. I think we played a good series and we’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing.

“We’ve got five more weeks left and I think we have to finish strong.”

The Sox went 1-5 on the trip against the Kansas City Royals and Braves. But Venable saw some encouraging signs at Truist Park.

“For me, that game aside, we came into this series not playing very good baseball and I thought we got back to being where we were at coming out of the break,” Venable said. “Playing really good baseball all the way around.

“Disappointing not to scratch out another one here, but really proud of the guys.”

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