WORTH THE CHASE: Meidroth blasts White Sox through; Phillies stay alive

NEW YORK (AFP) — Chase Meidroth’s three-run homer sent the Chicago White Sox into the second round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs Wednesday while an Alec Bohm 10th-inning home run kept the Phillies alive at Atlanta.

The White Sox — who received a letter of support from lifelong fan Pope Leo XIV before their wildcard series at Houston began — fended off a spirited Astros comeback, thanks to Meidroth’s blast to win 7-3.

“That’s everything, man. Coming through for the guys, there’s no better feeling in the world,” Meidroth said.

Having defied expectations to even reach post-season, after losing 100 games in three dreadful previous years, Chicago progressed from the best-of-three series in just two games, and now faces Cleveland in an American League division series.

The White Sox followed up an impressive 6-3 win on Tuesday with an explosive start, racking up four runs in their first inning.

Sam Antonacci hit a double off the game’s fourth pitch and scored off Kyle Teel’s ensuing single. Andrew Benintendi’s line drive sent Teel over home plate, with Miguel Vargas following him after an overthrow.

Benintendi made it 4-0 from a Tristan Peters single. With bases loaded, the Astros yanked ace pitcher Hunter Brown and finally closed the first inning.

Houston did not collapse. Jeremy Pena, Cam Smith and Jose Altuve each walloped solo home runs — in the first, second and fourth innings — to narrow the deficit.

Chicago went without a hit until the sixth.

But, following two walks and three stolen bases, Meidroth emphatically ended that barren run and put the game to rest with a three-run homer over left field.

“I was just looking for something out there. Happened to get a good pitch. You know, he’s a really good pitcher. He left one up for me, and I was able to catch it in,” Meidroth said.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s 4-3 victory levelled its National League wildcard series against the Braves 1-1, with the decider Thursday.

In a dramatic comeback, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper hit back-to-back homers in the eighth to equalize before Bohm’s game-winner.

“I don’t really know what happened,” Bohm said. “I was trying to pull the ball to the foul pole and I hit it to right field, so I’ll take it.”

The series winner plays the reigning MLB champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-five series starting Saturday.

Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper, who misplayed a long fly ball in the seventh inning, allowing Atlanta to seize the lead, found redemption in the eighth.

Harper followed Schwarber’s homer off Dylan Lee with his own solo shot to level at 3-3, and the game went to extra innings.

Harper said when he came to the plate he was thinking: “I’ve got to come up big.”

“That ball in right field I probably should have caught, obviously, so I’ve got to come through for my team right there,” Harper said. “Great win.”

In the dramatic 10th, Bohm blasted a two-out homer for the winning run. But it was not over, with the Braves yet to bat.

Phillies relief pitcher Andrew Painter, in his playoff debut, allowed two singles as tension built, but struck out pinch-hitter Dominic Smith to secure victory.

Later Wednesday, the New York Yankees can book an AL division series against Tampa Bay with a home victory over Boston.

The San Diego Padres can advance to face MLB wins leader Milwaukee in the NL playoffs by beating the Chicago Cubs.