White Sox Suffer 117th Loss as Angels Win 4-3 in 13th Inning
The Chicago White Sox faced a tough loss against the Los Angeles Angels, marking their 117th defeat of the season. The game went into extra innings, with Eric Wagaman scoring the winning run in the 13th inning off a deflected grounder from Jordyn Adams. Despite a valiant effort, the White Sox fell short in their quest for a victory, tying the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics for the third most losses since 1900.
White Sox’s Record-Breaking Season
With a record of 36-117, the White Sox are on pace to potentially break the post-1900 record of 120 losses set by the 1962 New York Mets. The team will need to win 7 out of their final 9 games to avoid this dubious distinction. The 2003 Detroit Tigers currently hold the American League mark with 119 losses, a record the White Sox are dangerously close to surpassing.
Despite the challenging season, interim manager Grady Sizemore remains focused on taking each game as it comes. The team faces a tough series against the San Diego Padres, who are currently in contention for a NL wild card spot. The Padres have closed within 3 1/2 games of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, making them a formidable opponent for the struggling White Sox.
Upcoming Challenges for the White Sox
Following the series in San Diego, the White Sox will close out the season with a six-game homestand against the Angels and the Detroit Tigers. The team will need to rally together and put forth their best effort to finish the season on a high note and avoid setting a new record for losses.
The Angels had several opportunities to clinch the game in extra innings, with bases loaded situations in the 10th and 12th innings. However, it wasn’t until the 13th inning that they were able to secure the win, thanks to Wagaman’s run and Adams’ timely hit that eluded the White Sox defense. Angels manager Ron Washington commended his team for persevering and finally catching a break to walk it off.
Key Moments in the Game
The game remained tied at one going into extra innings, with both teams battling it out for the win. Each team scored in the 10th inning, with Chicago’s Korey Lee crossing home plate on Vargas’ sacrifice fly and Los Angeles’ Gustavo Campero delivering an RBI base hit. The teams continued to trade runs in the 11th, with the White Sox’s Andrew Benintendi and Wagaman contributing RBI singles to keep the game alive.
In the 4th inning, Andrew Vaughn launched his 19th home run of the season, tying the game for the White Sox. Vaughn’s impressive hitting streak, including two homers in five games, has been a bright spot for the team amidst their struggles. The White Sox have shown improvement in their power hitting, with nine home runs in the last five games compared to just six in the previous 13 contests.
The Angels managed to even the score in the 8th inning, as Taylor Ward’s line drive slipped past the White Sox defense to bring in Zach Neto. The game remained tense and competitive until Wagaman’s decisive run in the 13th, sealing the victory for the Angels.
Looking Ahead
The White Sox will need to regroup and focus on finishing the season strong as they face tough competition in their remaining games. With series against the Angels and the Tigers on the horizon, the team will have to dig deep and show resilience in the face of adversity.
As the season draws to a close, the White Sox have the opportunity to learn from their struggles and come back stronger in the next season. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, the team’s determination and perseverance will be key in shaping their future success in the league.