OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Andrew Benintendi hit a two-run home run and the Chicago White Sox ended their record-setting American League losing streak at 21 games by defeating the Oakland Athletics 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Jonathan Cannon allowed one run in six innings, ending his personal losing streak while helping the White Sox to their first win since early July.
“It was just great to put that behind us. I thought we played a clean game today,” said White Sox manager Pedro Grifol. “Any time you win is great. And when you win after losing 21 in a row, it's even better. I'm proud of these guys.”
Chicago on Monday snapped its longest losing streak for the reason that Baltimore Orioles lost 21 games in a row in 1988, losing 5-1 to the Athletics. The NL record since 1900 is held by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 23 games in a row.
The lowest point within the Major League so far was the 1889 Louisville Colonels, an American Association team that lost 26 games in a row during a 27-111 season.
Despite the victory, the White Sox hardly celebrated. They high-fived one another as they left the sphere after which played quiet music within the locker room.
“I think it's just a sigh of relief,” Cannon said. “We're all major league players, we have a lot of confidence to go out there every night and do our job. It just didn't work out. I'm proud we got it done tonight. It was a team effort all the way across the board.”
Benintendi hit his second two-run home run in three days within the fourth inning on a fastball from A's starter Ross Stripling down the precise field line into the stands. Benintendi also hit a double within the ninth inning to attain.
After Zack Gelof cut the lead in half along with his 14th home run of the season within the fourth inning, the White Sox scored twice within the sixth inning and pulled away.
Brooks Baldwin singled and scored on a wild pitch, and Andrew Vaughn made it 4-1 with an RBI single.
Cannon (2-5) was winless in six road games this season. The rookie right-hander allowed six hits and recorded five strikeouts with two walks for the win, his first since July 10.
“I think Cannon has that something, and by that I mean he has the will to succeed,” Grifol said. “It almost looked like things weren't going to continue under his leadership. At least that's how it felt.”
Dominic Leone and Chad Kuhl retired all six batters they faced, and John Brebbia threw a 1-2-3 pitch to shut the ninth inning.
Stripling (2-11) allowed 4 runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
During the warm-up, Taylor Swift's song “22” blared provocatively from the Coliseum's speakers because the 5,867 spectators danced and sang along.
Chicago, which last won against Minnesota in a doubleheader opener on July 10, improved to 28-88. The White Sox have scored one or no runs 32 times this season.
“They played a good, clean game tonight and we didn't launch any attacks,” A's manager Mark Kotsay said. “I'm sure the club over there is looking forward to ending their losing streak and getting a win.”
TRAINING ROOM
Athletics: Manager Mark Kotsay said closer Mason Miller can be activated on Wednesday. Miller has been out of motion since July 23 with a broken finger on his left hand. … RHP Dany Jiménez (strained left oblique muscle) has begun rehab at Triple-A Las Vegas.
NEXT
Athletics RHP Joey Estes (5-4, 4.77 ERA) faces the White Sox for the primary time in his profession on Wednesday. Estes is undefeated in six starts on the Coliseum this season. Chicago RHP Davis Martin (0-1, 7.11) will make his second start since missing all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery.
Originally published:
image credit : www.mercurynews.com