WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth contest that defied pregame projections, the Chicago White Sox held off a furious late-inning rally by the Washington Nationals to secure a 10-9 victory on Friday night at Nationals Park.

The game, played before a crowd of 33,938 in 2 hours and 54 minutes, was a stark contrast to the Interstat game simulator’s projection of a low-scoring 3-1 Nationals win. The teams combined for 24 hits, with the White Sox collecting 11 and the Nationals 13, and the total score of 19 easily surpassed the over/under line of 8.5.

Chicago’s offense erupted immediately against Nationals starter Cade Cavalli, capitalizing on sloppy Washington defense to plate four runs in the first inning. The inning was fueled by a two-run double from Brooks Baldwin and an RBI single from Lenyn Sosa, with the first two runs scoring on a fielding error by first baseman Josh Bell and a throwing error by shortstop CJ Abrams.

Washington answered with a solo home run from Josh Bell, his 22nd of the season, in the bottom of the first, but the White Sox steadily built their lead. Sosa extended the advantage with a solo homer to left-center field in the fourth inning, his 22nd, and later scored Dominic Fletcher with a sacrifice fly. Chicago added two more in the fifth on an RBI double from Sosa and a unusual sacrifice double play that allowed Edgar Quero to cross the plate, pushing the lead to 8-1.

The Nationals began to chip away in the fifth on a solo home run by Luis García Jr., but the game appeared to turn decisively in the sixth. After a leadoff homer by Abrams, García Jr. struck again, launching a two-run shot to right field to score Daylen Lile and cut the deficit to 8-5.

Washington’s comeback bid exploded in the eighth inning against the Chicago bullpen. After a walk and a single, Lile connected for a three-run homer to right-center field, suddenly pulling the Nationals within a single run. The very next batter, García Jr., completed a remarkable three-homer night for Washington by crushing his second of the game and 16th of the season, a solo shot that tied the game at 9-9 and sent a jolt through the ballpark.

Facing Nationals reliever Jose A. Ferrer in the top of the ninth, the White Sox quickly reclaimed the lead. After an error by Ferrer allowed Kyle Teel to reach base, shortstop Colson Montgomery stepped up and delivered the decisive blow, a two-run home run to right-center field, his 20th of the year, to put Chicago back on top 10-9.

White Sox closer Grant Taylor entered for the bottom of the ninth and immediately allowed a leadoff single to Nasim Nuñez. But Taylor settled in, getting James Wood to line out and striking out both Abrams and pinch-hitter Andrés Chaparro on foul tips to end the game and seal his sixth save of the season.

Fraser Ellard earned the win for Chicago, improving to 1-2, despite not being on the mound during the team’s offensive outbursts. Jose A. Ferrer took the loss for Washington, falling to 4-4, after surrendering the two unearned runs in the ninth.

Sosa was the offensive standout for the White Sox, finishing 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Brandon Eisert provided a key scoreless inning of relief in the seventh.

For the Nationals, García Jr.’s three-home run, three-RBI performance and Lile’s three-run homer highlighted a potent but ultimately insufficient offensive display.

The victory improved the White Sox’s record to 59-101, while the Nationals fell to 65-95. The two teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series on Saturday.