The Chicago White Sox pulled off a late-inning thriller against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night, transforming what seemed destined to be another disheartening chapter in an otherwise bleak season into a memorable victory. With a 2-0 deficit entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the White Sox orchestrated a stunning comeback to secure a 3-2 win and avoid what would have been their 121st loss of the season.
Heading into this game, the White Sox had not managed a single victory this year after trailing past the seventh inning—a fact indicative of the struggles they've faced. The 1962 New York Mets still hold the modern Major League Baseball record for the most losses in a single season, and avoiding a similar fate remains a critical concern for Chicago.
A Dramatic Turnaround in the Eighth
The turnaround began in earnest in the bottom of the eighth inning. Down by two runs, Zach DeLoach and Bryan Ramos kicked things off with back-to-back doubles, immediately putting a dent in the Angels' lead and notching Chicago's first run of the game. The energy in the stadium shifted palpably as the White Sox's chances suddenly came back to life.
Lenyn Sosa then managed to work a walk off Angels reliever Hunter Strickland, loading the bases and setting the stage for further heroics. Up stepped Luis Robert, who singled to bring Bryan Ramos home and tie the game at 2-2. The comeback train was now in full motion.
With the game hanging in the balance, Jack López had an opportunity but failed to catch Robert's pop-up. However, Andrew Benintendi seized the moment, delivering a clutch single to left field that drove in the go-ahead run, giving the White Sox a 3-2 lead.
Holding the Line
As the game moved into the ninth inning, all eyes were on Justin Anderson, tasked with closing out the game. Anderson faced tense moments, walking Mickey Moniak with two outs, but held firm. He induced a ground out from Eric Wagaman to end the game, ensuring that Chicago's efforts were not in vain.
With this save, Justin Anderson tied with two other White Sox pitchers for the most saves in the current season among active players on the roster. The bullpen generosity has been a patchwork effort, with Michael Kopech, John Brebbia, Tanner Banks, and Jordan Leasure contributing multiple saves this season but no longer being with the team or currently playing in the minors.
Looking Ahead
While the victory brings a welcome respite, the season's challenges remain ever-present for the White Sox. They have another showdown with the Angels on Wednesday night, and the team will be keen to build on this momentum. The players and coaching staff alike will hope that this dramatic win signals a turning point as they navigate the remaining games on the schedule.
As the team prepares for the next game, the professional resolve shown in Tuesday night's comeback will surely be a focal point. The resilience demonstrated, particularly in overcoming what had been a season-long Achilles' heel of late-inning comebacks, offers a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered fans of Chicago's South Side.