One loss away from setting a standard for modern major league futility, the Chicago White Sox feel justifiably miffed.
A 4-2 road loss at San Diego on Sunday tied the White Sox (36-120) with the 1962 New York Mets for the most single-season losses in MLB since 1901.
Six games remain in the 2024 season as the White Sox welcome the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.
While three other teams in the American League Central claw for playoff positioning, the White Sox must earn victories in each contest to avoid establishing a new mark.
“When you lose 120, it’s easier to brush off,” White Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi said. “But it sucks to have to go through it. No one wants to go through it. That’s where we’re at.”
It’s a familiar refrain for Chicago, which led 2-1 after seven innings Sunday courtesy of home runs from Korey Lee and Miguel Vargas and a strong outing from rookie starter Sean Burke.
The result in San Diego also was nothing new. The Padres rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth as the White Sox sputtered to their 36th blown save and 23rd loss when leading after six innings. Both are the most in baseball.
“We’re going to put this one behind us and get ready for the next series back home,” Chicago interim manager Grady Sizemore said.
If not for the historically hapless White Sox, more attention might be on the Angels.
At 63-93, Los Angeles sports the second-worst record in the American League but nonetheless enters the final week of the regular season 27 games ahead of Chicago.
The Angels stopped a six-game skid by winning the last two games of a home series against the White Sox last week. They then lost the first three games of a weekend series against American League West-leading Houston before rallying for a 9-8 victory in Sunday’s series finale.
Trailing 4-0 after five innings, the Angels rallied down the stretch, holding on after a four-run ninth produced a 9-6 lead.
“They played well,” Los Angeles manager Ron Washington said. “The key is always what I’ve been telling them — it’s about consistency, it’s about sustainability. Everything that they’ve been through this year – the ups and downs – it’s a part of a 162-game championship season.
“We needed that today. We needed it yesterday. We needed it the day before, and we needed it the day before that, but they gave it to us today, so I just hope that they continue until there’s no more baseball to be played.”
Shortstop Zach Neto sparked the Angels’ attack, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBIs, all over the last four innings.
“Just putting quality at-bats together and not trying to do too much,” Neto said. “I felt like I was pressing a little bit, but I was finally able to come through for the team.”
Jack Kochanowicz of Los Angeles will oppose Chicago’s Jonathan Cannon in a matchup of rookie right-handers.
Kochanowicz (2-5, 4.56 ERA) is winless in his past three starts. He took a no-decision against the White Sox on Wednesday, scattering one run and five hits in seven innings with zero walks and a career-high five strikeouts.
Cannon (4-10, 4.61) is seeking his third victory in four September starts. He pitched 6 2/3 innings of four-run, three-hit ball to defeat the Angels on Sept. 16. Cannon walked two and matched a career best with seven strikeouts.
–Field Level Media