Andrew Benintendi jumped on the first pitch he saw from Tampa Bay Rays reliever Phil Maton, driving a sweeper to deep right field.
“I hit it and I thought it was gone but then had to make sure just in case because the wind was blowing,” Benintendi said. “I thought (Rays catcher Ben) Rortvedt had a homer in the eighth inning that hit the top of the wall.
“Guess I caught a break with the wind that time.”
If ever there was a team that could use a break or two, it’s the Chicago White Sox.
Benintendi’s blast went over the wall for a game-ending, two-run home run as the Sox beat the Rays 8-7 in 10 innings in front of 28,009 on Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The first walk-off homer of Benintendi’s career catapulted the Sox to their first series win of the season. They’ll attempt for a sweep Sunday.
Benintendi homered twice Saturday, helping the Sox win consecutive games for the first time in 2024. The left fielder went 3-for-5 with the two home runs and six RBIs. He came into the day with a .169 average.
“He’s been feeling good the last four, five days,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “His (batting practices) have been really good. That’s what he’s capable of doing.”
Benintendi didn’t panic through some of the early struggles.
“I’ve been through this kind of thing before, a slow start,” he said. “I think I’ve had one season where I didn’t start slow. But just not panic. Understand it’s such a long season, I still have 500 something at-bats, 600 at-bats. Hopefully tonight will start something. But just trying to stay consistent.
“There’s been times I think where my timing has been off and I’m just hitting the top of the baseball instead of the center. So, I was able to put a few good ones tonight.”
His three-run homer in the fourth tied the score at 3. It was his first homer of the season. He had a bloop RBI single during a three-run fifth as the Sox took a 6-4 lead.
The Rays tied it with two runs in the sixth and scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the top of the 10th to take a 7-6 lead.
Benintendi batted with one out and automatic runner Rafael Ortega on third in the 10th.
“Just looking for something up in the zone, something to drive to the outfield,” Benintendi said. “Put a good swing on it.”
He connected on the first-pitch sweeper, dropped the bat and saw the ball go over the right-field wall, setting off a celebration for the Sox near the plate as he rounded the bases.
“I know what’s in the tank as far as what comes with power,” Benintendi said. “I think it just starts with hard contact and swinging at good pitches. I think I’ve hit the ball hard this year sometimes. It’s just right at some people.
“Just trying to be an overall hitter and just drive the ball.”
Benintendi matched a career-high with the six RBIs.
“I will take it for what it is,” said Benintendi when asked about building off Saturday. “It was a good night tonight. Tomorrow could be a good day or tomorrow could be a bad day. Just mentally staying in the same spot. Even keeled, just take it for what it is. Hope tonight starts something here.”
And it’s a similar thought for the team, which at 5-22 is off to the worst start in franchise history through 27 games.
“It’s been a slow start for us, for sure,” Benintendi said. “It’s a long season and still five months of baseball. For us right now, it’s a day at a time. You can’t look too forward ahead when we are in the position we are. Show up every day and just play hard.”
