AP
In a historic yet unfortunate turn of events, the Chicago White Sox lost their 21st consecutive game, tying the American League record for the longest losing streak, set by the 1988 Baltimore Orioles. This significant defeat, marking the 21st consecutive loss record of Chicago White Sox, came with a 5-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Monday night. Max Schuemann’s important tiebreaking two-run single in the fourth inning sealed the fate of the White Sox in this game.
Details of the Game
The game began with the A’s taking an early lead, courtesy of Tyler Nevin’s first-inning sacrifice fly. The White Sox managed to tie the game in the fourth inning with Andrew Benintendi’s RBI single. However, the Athletics quickly regained their lead. JJ Bleday doubled, and with the bases loaded, Schuemann hit a single that resulted in a 3-1 advantage for the A’s. Lawrence Butler’s sixth-inning homer further extended the lead, and Zack Gelof added another run in the eighth inning.
Pitching Performances
On the mound, JP Sears of the Athletics allowed only three hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking one, marking his fifth win in his last six decisions. For the White Sox, rookie Ky Bush, making his major league debut, allowed three runs, two hits, and five walks over four innings.
Historical Context
The White Sox’s current losing streak is the longest in the major leagues since the 1988 Orioles. The all-time record for the longest losing streak in the National League is held by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 23 straight games. The major league record belongs to the 1889 Louisville Colonels, who lost 26 consecutive games.
Reactions from the Team
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol expressed the team’s frustration, stating, “It’s 21 in a row, it sucks, it’s painful, it hurts, you name it. … Like I said, it’s not for lack of effort. Nobody wants to come out here and lose.” Former White Sox great Frank Thomas shared his thoughts on the postgame show, emphasizing the need for a more aggressive response to motivate the players.
Future Outlook
With a current record of 27-88, the White Sox are on pace for one of the worst seasons in major league history. The team has struggled significantly since the All-Star break, with 16 of their losses coming in this period. The White Sox will look to rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon to break the streak in their next game against Oakland’s Ross Stripling.
The 21st consecutive loss of Chicago White Sox has placed them in the history books, albeit in a less than desirable position. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the team can recover and end this unprecedented streak.
