White Sox watch: Historical past awaits as Chicago collects 119th loss
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White Sox watch: Historical past awaits as Chicago collects 119th loss

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The 1962 New York Mets misplaced 120 video games, setting the document for probably the most defeats in a single season in trendy baseball historical past. The 2024 Chicago White Sox are on tempo to supplant the Mets because the worst workforce ever. Because the season winds down, we’ll monitor their efforts to keep away from infamy.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A stroll. Single. A success-by-pitch, and, then, one other stroll. Swiftly a ray of sunshine appeared in what had lengthy been ticketed for one more listless loss.

Down two, with the bases loaded and one out, the White Sox had an opportunity to, on the very least, delay the inevitable. A packed Petco Park was on its edge because the Padres had been pressured deeper into their pen.

This was it, they’d San Diego on the ropes.

Two pitches later, Dominic Fletcher grounded right into a double play. An inning later, the White Sox misplaced, 6-2. It clinched their 119th lack of the season, matching the 2003 Tigers for the second-most within the trendy period.

The White Sox at the moment are on the doorstep of infamy. Something in need of successful all seven video games on their schedule gained’t be ok. Yet one more loss, and this workforce will tie the 1962 growth Mets for probably the most losses in trendy historical past.

It’s a truth they’re resigned to. Supervisor Grady Sizemore mentioned pregame that their focus is on the expansion of younger gamers in response to a query in regards to the impending document.

There’s virtually actually no rah-rah rally available. No push for a miracle. Simply rally-killing double performs and a recognition of the inevitable. — Sam Blum

Present tempo: 124 losses

Video games remaining: 7

Wins wanted to keep away from equaling the ’62 Mets: 7

Subsequent sport: Sunday at Padres. RHP Sean Burke 1-0, 2.25 ERA (White Sox) vs. RHP Yu Darvish 6-3, 3.21 ERA (Padres)

Sept. 19: Chicago drops to 0-100 when trailing after 8 innings

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Spherical numbers in baseball are good. Garrett Crochet hitting 200 strikeouts on Friday, that was good. Shohei Ohtani reaching 50-50 the day earlier than was pretty too.

The White Sox dropping to 0-100 when trailing after eight innings? Not so nice. And much more painful after they had been oh-so-close to bettering to 1-99.

Chicago misplaced 3-2 in 10 innings to the Padres, a outcome made potential by a two-out, two-strike Lenyn Sosa house run within the ninth inning.

However the White Sox are nothing if not inevitable. They bought 4 glorious innings from Crochet. However their offense couldn’t again it up. And now, this workforce finds itself one other step nearer to a seemingly unavoidable vacation spot.

“Yeah,” Crochet mentioned of the crushing loss. “That’s baseball.”

Normally this time of yr, groups like this are enjoying out a string of video games that can rapidly be forgotten within the annals of historical past. However not this workforce. Every defeat provides to a complete that can inevitably go down in historical past.

This loss, the 118th of the season, surpasses the 1916 Philadelphia A’s for the third-most within the trendy period. And it leaves the White Sox one defeat in need of the 2003 Tigers, who went on a determined, final-week, 5-of-6 win rampage to keep away from tying the 1962 Mets’ document themselves.

These White Sox might want to do even higher. They’re primarily in must-win territory. A tall process for a workforce that hasn’t gained a lot.

The silver lining for the followers? A minimum of there’s a superb probability they’ll break the document of their house ballpark. — Sam Blum

Sept. 18: Regardless of bullpen’s greatest efforts, Chicago loses in further innings

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mercifully, the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox sequence has come to an in depth. After 13 innings of back-and-forth ball, the White Sox have inched nearer to infamy with a 4-3 loss.

It felt like a sport that no person wished to win. A matchup between the 2 worst groups within the American League. And it simply went on and on and on till Angels outfielder Jordyn Adams grounded an infield single to 3rd, sending the White Sox to their 117th defeat.

It was a bullpen sport, and Chicago used eight pitchers. All in all, they weren’t unhealthy. Solely Justin Anderson allowed an earned run, and as a bunch, they collected 14 punchouts. Jairo Iriarte, who had entered the sport with simply 2 2/3 innings underneath his belt, gave up the game-ending single.

There was one traditional 2024 White Sox second, nonetheless, don’t you are worried. Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak can not swing the bat as a consequence of damage. However due to the roster machinations in an elongated sport, he was pressured to take an at-bat. Enyel De Los Santos walked him on 4 pitches.

This workforce is three video games shy of tying the 1962 Mets for probably the most losses in a season. And 4 away from proudly owning it. Which means Chicago might break the document at house towards these similar Angels after going through the playoff-hopeful Padres for 3 in San Diego.

With 9 video games left to play, the document feels as inevitable because it has all yr. — Sam Blum

Sept. 17: Push for loss document renewed as 3-game streak snapped

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Nicely, that was enjoyable, wasn’t it? The 72-hour fever dream has awoken to a well-recognized actuality. One other Chicago White Sox loss. One other listless offensive efficiency in a 5-0 sport that by no means felt aggressive.

The three-game successful streak introduced a gap to in some way keep away from historical past. 5 extra video games towards the very unhealthy Los Angeles Angels gave that opening some legitimacy. However Tuesday’s defeat was one other reminder that Chicago’s futility has no firm. The 61-90 Angels are nonetheless 25 1/2 video games higher.

The White Sox had been unable to win a fourth straight sport for the second time this yr. Chicago mustered simply six hits, all singles. Beginning pitcher Davis Martin allowed simply three runs over 5 innings. It was a sport devoid of drama, as to be anticipated in a battle between the worst the American League has to supply.

The White Sox should go 6-4 to keep away from the 121-loss modern-day document. They face the Angels 4 extra instances and have three apiece towards the San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers on the highway.

This workforce has been eradicated from postseason competition for greater than a month. However don’t say there isn’t any late-September drama. — Sam Blum

Sept. 16: Historical past on maintain? Profitable streak reaches 3 video games

You could rewind 30 years, again to the yr when the movie “Main League II” got here out, to actually contextualize what the Chicago White Sox have completed.

“OK, we gained a sport yesterday,” Lou Brown, the fictional Cleveland Indians supervisor, advised his workforce within the movie. “If we win at present, it’s known as ‘two in a row’. And if we win once more tomorrow, it’s known as a ‘successful streak.’ … It has occurred earlier than!”

And now, it’s occurring once more. These pesky Chicago White Sox are formally on a successful streak. In a season filled with historic shedding, a glimmer of hope has emerged within the type of an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

No, the competitors wasn’t precisely stiff. (The Angels fell to 60-90). However in a season like this, you’ll take the wins wherever you will get them. The White Sox hadn’t gained three in a row since late June.

Andrew Benintendi and Andrew Vaughn hit back-to-back homers within the first inning. Vaughn added a triple an inning later, and within the seventh Benintendi blasted his second homer of the sport. Lenyn Sosa added a homer of his personal. The primary two wins on this streak had been one-run squeakers. This was a beat-down.

The White Sox must go 6-5 to keep away from setting the all-time loss document, or 7-4 to avoid the 1962 Mets altogether.

Not a straightforward process. However, at the very least the White Sox get 5 extra possibilities this season towards the Angels, the cellar dwellers of the AL West. — Sam Blum

Sept. 15: The place has this workforce been all season?

The White Sox won’t have lit the world on fireplace the final two days towards the Oakland Athletics. However darn it, they appeared like a reliable ball membership.

Chicago’s beginning pitchers allowed simply two runs over their final 10 innings. They clubbed 4 homers and 24 hits. And, on Sunday, the bullpen locked it down. All in an effort to get again to 80 video games beneath .500 on the season with its 4-3 win at house on Sunday.

The prospect of avoiding the record-setting 121 losses stays unlikely. Chicago would wish to go 7-5, not precisely the expectation for a workforce that’s gained solely 23 % of its video games this yr.

With that mentioned, six video games remaining towards the Los Angeles Angels (60-88) presents a gap, nonetheless small it is perhaps.

The consecutive victories mark the primary successful streak since June 28-29 towards the NL-worst Colorado Rockies. And after going greater than a month with out a house win, they notched two in 24 hours.

Beginning pitcher Sean Burke allowed two runs over 5 innings. 5-hole hitter Gavin Sheets homered for the second consecutive day. Bryan Ramos added some much-needed insurance coverage with a house run of his personal. Chicago’s bullpen mixed for 4 innings, permitting simply two baserunners.

The White Sox appeared like a superbly positive baseball workforce this weekend. With 12 video games left, and 6 losses shy of the document, will completely positive be sufficient to keep away from historical past? — Sam Blum

Sept. 14: A uncommon walk-off win places the brakes on historical past for now

Chicago’s seemingly inevitable march towards the all-time loss document took a break on Saturday. As an alternative, it was successful parade on the Southside, with the sixteenth and ultimate knock approaching an Andrew Benintendi walk-off homer in a 7-6 victory.

Chicago’s bullpen blew two separate three-run leads, together with one within the ninth inning. However the offense made their struggles moot. It was their first house win since Aug. 12.

This beleaguered bunch will nonetheless must win 9 of its ultimate 13 video games to keep away from equaling the 1962 Mets’ 120-loss mark. And eight wins to keep away from setting the document itself.

One other sport towards the Athletics, and 6 possibilities towards lowly Angels current a gap for the White Sox to make a last-minute miracle push to keep away from infamy. Don’t neglect, the 2003 Detroit Tigers gained 5 of six to finish their season and end with solely 119 losses. Maybe the document books present probably the most motivation.

The White Sox gained their second consecutive sport that Chris Flexen pitched. That’s vital largely as a result of they’d misplaced his earlier 20 video games began. He navigated by way of visitors over 5 scoreless innings.

Chicago posted seven singles within the first two innings off Oakland starter J.T. Ginn. Gavin Sheets added a solo house run.

It appeared like this sport would comply with a well-recognized sample. The A’s instantly scored three off reliever Chad Kuhl. However Enyel De Los Santos stabilized the trouble, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Justin Anderson blew one other three-run lead within the ninth.

However Benintendi was clutch all day. He posted two tie-breaking hits, together with the game-winner.

In any down season, a shedding workforce at the very least hopes it sees development in sure areas. Whenever you’re 81 video games beneath .500, nonetheless, sustained development is inherently elusive.

Saturday won’t have represented development. However at the very least their house followers bought to have fun a win, lastly. — Sam Blum

Present tempo: 125 losses

Video games remaining: 13

Wins wanted to keep away from equaling the ’62 Mets: 9

Subsequent sport: Sunday vs. Oakland. LHP JP Sears 11-10, 4.18 ERA (A’s) vs. RHP Sean Burke 0-0, 0.00 ERA (White Sox)

Sept. 13: Shutout loss places Chicago inside six losses of MLB document

The roles had been purported to be reversed. When you requested any informal baseball fan in the beginning of the yr which workforce would enter this mid-September sequence — Oakland A’s versus Chicago White Sox — seeking to keep away from the loss document, the reply would have been Oakland.

Preseason expectations weren’t excessive for the White Sox, to make sure. Simply ask their GM. Nevertheless it was Oakland coming off a 110-loss season, amid a chaotic off-field storm.

As an alternative, it’s Oakland constructing an thrilling younger core. And the White Sox are counting down the times till the season ends. Their relevance is tied on to their futility. A 33-115 document leaves their membership six losses shy of solo possession of the document.

This 2-0 defeat wasn’t a blowout. Zack Gelof doubled house a run within the fourth. Brent Rooker gave the A’s some insurance coverage an inning later with a two-out single. Chicago’s pitching held up, however its offense couldn’t scratch out a run.

Out of context, it was only a common sport — not like many mammoth blowouts that populate their schedule.

In context, nonetheless, it added to their unwelcome historical past.

The White Sox misplaced their sixteenth consecutive house sport, spanning greater than a month. They dropped to 5-26 within the Grady Sizemore period. They tied the 2018 Baltimore Orioles and the 1935 Boston Braves for the fourth-most losses because the creation of the American League in 1901.

In an alternate universe, it’s the A’s desperately making an attempt to keep away from infamy. On this world, nonetheless, it’s the White Sox who’re seemingly resigned to it. — Sam Blum

Sept. 11: Rally falls brief in fifteenth consecutive house loss

The White Sox have gone a complete month with out a house win.

Approach again when, someplace across the Mesozoic Period (OK, it was Aug. 12), Chicago bludgeoned the New York Yankees, 12-2. Since then, it’s been one loss after one other, one step nearer to historical past each time the White Sox take the sphere. The most recent version included a pair of two-run infield singles by Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas in a 6-4 defeat on Wednesday afternoon that sealed Cleveland’s three-game sweep.

An error and a balk helped gasoline a four-run White Sox outburst, however just like the earlier two video games of the sequence, they by no means grabbed maintain of a lead. They’ve misplaced 15 consecutive video games at Assured Price Area, and 27 of 28.

The White Sox now sit at 33-114. Since their inception as a constitution member of the American League in 1901, solely 5 groups have recorded extra losses in a season: the 2018 Baltimore Orioles (115), the 1935 Boston Braves (115), the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics (117), the 2003 Detroit Tigers (119) and the 1962 New York Mets (120).

With the first-place Guardians reluctantly leaving city, the White Sox will welcome the Oakland Athletics to the South Facet for a three-game sequence this weekend. Chicago dropped two of three in Oakland in early August. — Zack Meisel

Sept. 10: Loss No. 113 is available in seventeenth shutout of season

CHICAGO — Earlier than Tuesday’s sport, a White Sox govt jokingly requested two reporters to attempt utilizing “record-setting” earlier than the workforce title as a substitute of a less-flattering description. Nicely, the record-setting White Sox did it once more Tuesday, setting a brand new document for consecutive house losses with 14. In fact, they broke the document they set Monday night time.

Their 5-0 loss to Cleveland was additionally their twenty sixth defeat of their final 27 house video games.

It’s beginning to grow to be a development.

Led by Lane Thomas’ three-run homer off Sox reliever Gus Varland within the sixth, Cleveland despatched the White Sox to their 113th loss, house or away, of the season. This was the seventeenth time this season they’ve been shut out. They’re eight losses away from surpassing the modern-day loss document of the 1962 Mets, and the one drama now’s whether or not they can win three video games between now and Sept. 24 to allow them to set the document of their ultimate house sequence.

The Sox are 18-56 at house and their final victory at Assured Price Area was an unbelievable 12-2 clobbering of the New York Yankees on Aug. 12. Their earlier house victory was towards the Twins within the first sport of a doubleheader on July 10. The Sox responded with 21 straight losses, tying the American League document.

Earlier than the sport, the Sox known as up right-hander Sean Burke, who made his major-league debut. He struck out three in two scoreless innings earlier than the Guardians bought an unearned run off him within the ninth. The error was his personal, coming off an off-target pickoff throw.

Burke, a third-round draft decide in 2021, was purported to pitch within the Arizona Fall League, however as a substitute is the 62nd participant the White Sox have used this season, extending a membership document. — Jon Greenberg

Sept. 9: Loss No. 112 comes as Guardians pitcher flirts with perfection

CHICAGO — The White Sox, who’ve scored 104 fewer runs than some other workforce, have confirmed to be an elixir for any struggling pitcher. That now consists of Cleveland Guardians rookie Joey Cantillo, who retired the primary 20 Chicago hitters he confronted Monday and dealt the White Sox their 112th defeat.

Cantillo registered an 8.47 ERA in his first 4 spot begins, however in Cleveland’s 5-3 victory, he struck out 10 and stored the White Sox off the bases till Andrew Benintendi’s two-out single to proper within the seventh.

Unusually, the White Sox have notched extra wins towards the first-place Guardians (5) than towards some other opponent this season. Their loss Monday, nonetheless, marked their thirteenth in a row at house and twenty fifth of their final 26 video games at Assured Price Area. They sit solely eight losses from tying the 1962 Mets’ doubtful mark. They sit 40 1/2 video games out of fourth place within the five-team American League Central. — Zack Meisel

(Picture of Dominic Fletcher making an attempt to catch a double hit by Fernando Tatis Jr. within the seventh inning of Saturday’s sport: Denis Poroy / Getty Photos)

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