The Chicago White Sox executed a gripping late-inning comeback against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, turning a bleak outlook into a thrilling 3-2 victory. Entering the bottom of the eighth inning down 2-0, the White Sox managed to avoid what would have been their 121st loss of the season, showcasing a resilience that had been long absent this year.
The 1962 New York Mets still hold the modern Major League Baseball record for the most losses in a single season, but the White Sox's spirited comeback ensured that their own tally didn't inch closer towards that unwelcome benchmark, at least for now. Until this pivotal game, the White Sox had not managed a single victory all season after trailing past the seventh inning, making their turnaround on Tuesday night all the more significant.
Late-Inning Heroics Spark Revival
The spark that ignited the White Sox comeback came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Zach DeLoach and Bryan Ramos set the stage with back-to-back doubles, which finally put a dent in the Angels' lead and chalked up Chicago's first run of the game. The rally gained momentum as Lenyn Sosa worked a walk off Angels reliever Hunter Strickland, loading the bases and pushing the Angels onto the defensive.
Luis Robert then took center stage, delivering a crucial single that brought Bryan Ramos home, tying the game at 2-2. However, the drama was not yet over. A poorly fielded pop-up by Jack López allowed Robert to reach base, further building the pressure on the Angels' bullpen. With the game on the line, Andrew Benintendi came through with a single to left field, pushing the White Sox into a 3-2 lead, to the roaring approval of the home crowd.
Closing the Deal
With a razor-thin one-run lead, the White Sox turned to Justin Anderson to close out the game in the ninth inning. The tension ramped up as Anderson walked Mickey Moniak with two outs, putting the tying run on base. However, Anderson held his nerve, inducing a ground out from Eric Wagaman to secure the victory. This save placed Anderson in a tie with two other White Sox pitchers for the most saves in the current season among active players on the roster.
The White Sox’s bullpen shuffle had seen Michael Kopech, John Brebbia, Tanner Banks, and Jordan Leasure—pitchers who had also recorded multiple saves this season—either leave the team or move to the minors, making Anderson's reliability all the more crucial in this victory.
Looking Ahead
This win provides a much-needed morale boost for the floundering White Sox, who will face the Angels again on Wednesday night. The victory not only prevented another loss but also showcased the team's potential to claw back from dire situations, a trait that they have sorely lacked this season. With a season marred by disappointments, this game offers a glimmer of hope for fans and players alike, showing that perhaps the White Sox still have some fight left in them as they head into the remainder of the season.