MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Interstat) — After a dismal start to the season, the Chicago White Sox found their offense in a big way Monday night, riding a pair of explosive innings and a career day from Miguel Vargas to a 9-4 victory over the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.

The win, played before an announced crowd of 6,515 in 2 hours and 42 minutes, snapped a three-game losing streak for the White Sox and handed the previously undefeated Marlins their first loss of the young 2026 campaign.

The most important part of the game unfolded in a devastating four-batter span across the third and fourth innings. After being shut down by Miami starter Chris Paddack through the first two frames, the White Sox offense erupted. In the third, Vargas broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single, setting the stage for Austin Hays, who launched a three-run homer to right field. An inning later, with the bases loaded, Vargas delivered the crushing blow—a grand slam to left field that turned a 4-0 lead into an 8-0 rout and effectively decided the contest.

Vargas, who entered the game mired in a 2-for-9 slump over the season’s first three games, was the undeniable catalyst. The first baseman finished 2-for-4 with a single, the grand slam, and a career-high six RBIs. His performance provided all the support needed for White Sox starter Davis Martin, who earned the win.

Martin navigated five innings of work, allowing three earned runs on five hits. He struck out six Marlins batters but also issued three walks. The right-hander was staked to a massive early lead and did enough to keep the Marlins at bay, improving his record to 1-0.

The Marlins’ offense, which had averaged over three runs per game in their sweep of Colorado, was stifled for much of the night. Their primary response came from catcher Liam Hicks, who connected for a two-run homer off Martin in the fourth inning. Hicks went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Miami scratched out single runs in the fifth and eighth innings, with Jakob Marsee contributing an RBI single and a triple, but could never mount a sustained threat against the Chicago bullpen.

Sean Newcomb provided 2 2/3 innings of relief for Chicago, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five. Closer Jordan Hicks entered with two on and two out in the eighth inning, inducing an inning-ending lineout. He returned to pitch a scoreless ninth, securing his first save of the season.

Paddack, the Marlins’ starter, bore the brunt of the Chicago onslaught and took the loss. He was charged with eight earned runs on eight hits over four innings, seeing his ERA balloon and his record fall to 0-1. The Miami bullpen, led by Lake Bachar’s three innings of one-run ball, stopped the bleeding but the early deficit was insurmountable.

The victory moves the White Sox to 1-3 on the season, offering a measure of redemption after being outscored 29-10 in their opening series in Milwaukee. The Marlins fall to 3-1, their early-season perfection halted decisively.

The game defied pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 7-2 Marlins victory, and its ELO system gave Miami a 64.1% probability to win. The Marlins were also installed as 1.5-run favorites. The combined 13 runs sailed over the posted over/under line of 8.

Chicago’s offensive breakout was a stark reversal of recent form. The team managed just nine hits total in their previous two games combined before collecting nine Monday night, with seven of those hits and all nine runs coming in the third, fourth, and sixth innings.

The two teams will continue their three-game series Tuesday night at loanDepot Park. The White Sox will look to build momentum before returning to Chicago for a homestand against Toronto and Baltimore, while the Marlins aim to rebound before heading to New York for a weekend series with the Yankees.