White Sox Avoid Record Breaking Loss with Benintendi’s Heroics
The Chicago White Sox managed to avoid a record-breaking 121st loss for the second consecutive game, securing a close 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. The game came down to the wire, with Andrew Benintendi delivering a clutch 10th-inning single to secure the win for the White Sox.
Chicago is currently tied with the 1962 New York Mets for the modern major league record for losses in a season, sitting at 38-120. Despite their struggles, the White Sox have shown resilience in the face of adversity. Benintendi’s go-ahead hit in the 10th inning against José Quijada (2-1) proved to be the difference-maker, as designated runner Miguel Vargas scored from second base.
This was not the first time Benintendi played the hero for the White Sox, as he also had a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning of Chicago’s previous game, a 3-2 win. Reflecting on his performance, Benintendi stated, “It feels good to get the win, but it sucks to get it poured on you, especially when it’s starting to cool down a little bit.”
Key Moments in the Game
The White Sox took an early 2-0 lead thanks to a two-run homer by Korey Lee in the second inning. However, the Angels fought back, with Lenyn Sosa hitting a tiebreaking solo home run in the fourth against José Suarez. The game remained tense as both teams battled for the upper hand.
In the seventh inning, the Angels had a prime opportunity to take the lead with runners on the corners against Enyel De Los Santos. However, a crucial double play by Kevin Pillar extinguished the threat and kept the White Sox in the game.
The tension reached a boiling point in the eighth inning when fans at the stadium voiced their displeasure with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Chants of “Sell the team!” and “Jerry sucks!” reverberated through the stadium as the Angels mounted a comeback against Justin Anderson, eventually tying the game at 3.
Angels Fall Short Despite Opportunities
Despite their best efforts, the Angels could not capitalize on key opportunities throughout the game. Los Angeles loaded the bases with one out in the eighth inning but could only manage to tie the game with a squeeze play by Michael Stefanic. The Angels’ struggles continued as they grounded into three double plays in the final four innings, including one with the bases loaded.
Manager Ron Washington acknowledged the team’s missed chances, stating, “I don’t know if it was us or if it was them making pitches. But you certainly were looking for the ball to get in the air right there or a base hit. We just couldn’t get it done.”
White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore praised his team’s professionalism and resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the game and competing to the best of their abilities.
Looking Ahead
The White Sox are set to face the Los Angeles Angels again on Thursday before wrapping up their schedule with three games against the Detroit Tigers. Despite their challenging season, the White Sox have shown determination and perseverance, putting off the possibility of setting a new record for losses in a season.
Chicago had never lost more than 106 games in a season prior to this year. The White Sox surpassed that mark with time to spare, but have managed to delay the inevitable with their recent victories.
As the season winds down, both teams will look to finish strong and build momentum for the future. The White Sox will continue to rely on their resilience and team chemistry to overcome challenges, while the Angels aim to regroup and finish the season on a positive note.
In the end, baseball is a game of ups and downs, and both teams will take valuable lessons from their experiences this season as they look ahead to the future.
