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Catcher Drew Romo homers twice for the Chicago White Sox in a 5-2 win: ‘One of the best days of my life’
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- Catcher Drew Romo homers twice for the Chicago White Sox in a 5-2 win: ‘One of the best days of my life’
The Chicago White Sox have been searching for offensive production from the catching position.
Drew Romo provided just that on Tuesday, hitting two home runs in a 5-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in front of 11,857 at Rate Field.
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"One of the best days of my life," Romo said.
Romo hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning against right-hander José Soriano , who entered Tuesday with a dazzling 0.24 ERA. It was Romo's first career major-league home run. The switch-hitting Romo then hit a solo home run against left-handed reliever Brent Suter in the sixth.
"I hit that first home run, I was on top of the world," Romo said. "And before the second home run, I saw a lefty on the mound and I went up to (pitcher Sean) Burke and I was like 'I'm going to do it from both sides.' And then I freaking did it."
He became the first Sox player to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game since Leury García accomplished the feat on July 25, 2020, against the Minnesota Twins .
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"That was exciting," manager Will Venable said. "Obviously some really good swings by Drew off a guy that's really hard to score off of. Really good job top to bottom from our lineup grinding out at-bats, and obviously special with the Drew homers."
Romo's home runs were the first of the season by a Sox catcher. He joined the team from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday , when the Sox designated catcher Reese McGuire for assignment. At the time of the move, Venable said the Sox were looking for an offensive boost behind the plate. Romo is teaming up with Edgar Quero , who has started a team-high 19 games at catcher and is batting .169 with no home runs and four RBIs.
Romo played 19 games with the Colorado Rockies in 2024-25. He was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on Dec. 5, designated for assignment on Dec. 10 and claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on Dec. 17. The Sox claimed Romo off waivers from the Mets on Jan. 8, designated him for assignment on Feb. 1 and outrighted him to Charlotte on Feb. 6.
Romo is the seventh player in MLB history to record his first career home run from one side of the plate and his second from the other in the same game, and the first since Yasmani Grandal with the San Diego Padres on June 30, 2012.
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"I went from one team my whole career for like five years and then at the snap of a finger, I'm on my fourth team," Romo said. "Just crazy. But God led me here and everything is for a reason."
The Sox knew they would be facing a challenge Tuesday going against Soriano, who entered Tuesday's start having allowed one run over 37 2/3 innings.
They were ready for the test.
Photos: Chicago White Sox 5, Los Angeles Angels 2
Colson Montgomery gave the Sox a 1-0 lead with a home run to right field leading off the second inning.
The Angels evened the score with a run in the fourth. Romo, batting from the left side against Soriano, responded with the two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the fourth.
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Soriano allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks in five innings. He still leads the major leagues in ERA (0.84).
"We stuck with the plan," Venable said of the approach against Soriano. "I thought even in that first inning where he kind of blew through the top of our lineup (striking out the side), they were good at-bats and we saw that continue throughout the lineup where guys were making good swing decisions.
"We wanted to make sure we didn't chase below the zone. I thought the guys did a good job and we were able to put some balls in play."
Batting from the right side, Romo's home run to left-center against Suter in the sixth extended the lead to 4-1.
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Romo also helped behind the plate, working with Davis Martin . The right-hander continued his fantastic beginning to the 2026 season, allowing one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 innings. Martin is in the top 10 in the majors with a 1.95 ERA.
"All the credit goes to the offense and that kind of loosened me up to be able to go out there and pitch my game," Martin said.
Romo was glad to play a role.
"We won the game, which is most important," Romo said. "Winning comes first and after that I mean, so thankful, so appreciative.
"Everything it has taken to get here, all the ups and downs, incredible ride, journey."
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Injury update
The Sox completed the game without outfielder Everson Pereira , who exited after the fourth inning with right shoulder soreness.
"I think it's been something that's kind of come in and out and been something that's bothered him here and there," Venable said.
The Sox said Pereira is day-to-day.
