White Sox Avoid Record Low, Beat Angels 3-2
CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox, on the verge of eclipsing the modern major league record for losses in a season, rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Andrew Benintendi hit a two-out, tiebreaking single to help the White Sox (37-120) stave off infamy for at least one more night. The team remains tied with the 1962 New York Mets for the modern record of 120 losses in a season.
Fans, expressing their discontent with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, chanted “Sell the team!” throughout the game and booed when Los Angeles’ Eric Wagaman grounded out to end the game. Some fans appeared disappointed that they didn’t witness history.
Jonathan Cannon delivered a strong performance for Chicago, pitching three-hit ball over six scoreless innings.
The White Sox still have five games remaining to potentially break the record: two more against the Angels and three at Detroit.
Prior to this season, the White Sox had never lost more than 106 games. They surpassed that mark on Sept. 1 when the New York Mets defeated them.
On Saturday, Chicago tied the American League record of 119 losses at San Diego, matching the ’62 Mets the following day.
Despite the opportunity to set a dubious record, the White Sox mounted a comeback.
Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning when Kevin Pillar led off with a walk and Wagaman lined a double to right-center against Gus Varland.
In the eighth, Jack López connected for his first career home run against Prelander Berroa (1-0), extending the Angels’ lead to 2-0.
Hunter Strickland (3-2) gave up back-to-back doubles to Zach DeLoach and pinch-hitter Bryan Ramos with one out in the eighth, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Strickland then walked Lenyn Sosa, putting runners on first and second. Brock Burke retired Nicky Lopez on a fly to right.
The White Sox tied the game when second baseman Jack López got twisted around and was unable to catch Luis Robert Jr.’s high pop. Robert was credited with an infield hit.
Benintendi followed with his go-ahead single to left.
Cannon continued his strong outing, having beaten Los Angeles last week. Justin Anderson earned his first save by pitching the ninth inning.
Jack Kochanowicz pitched three-hit ball over seven innings for Los Angeles.