White Sox Lose 21-Straight MLB Games to Tie AL Record: Full Highlights and Box Score
August 6, 2024
A season of misery for the Chicago White Sox continued on Monday night as they were defeated 5-1 by the Oakland Athletics for their 21st consecutive loss.
The White Sox's losing streak is tied with the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the longest in American League history. They are two losses away from tying the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies' MLB-record streak of 23 straight losses.
Jesse Rogers @JesseRogersESPNWith their 21st straight loss - 5-1 to Oakland - the White Sox have matched the 1988 Orioles - who started 0-21 that year - for the longest losing streak in AL history. It's also tied for the 2nd-longest losing streak by any team since 1900. (<a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNStatsInfo</a>)
White Sox Box Score
- Miguel Vargas, 3B: 1-for-4
- Lenyn Sosa, 2B: 0-for-4, K
- Luis Robert Jr., CF: 0-for-4
- Andrew Vaughn, 1B: 1-for-4, 2B, R
- Nick Senzel, DH: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
- Andrew Benintendi, LF: 1-for-3, RBI
- Brooks Baldwin, SS: 0-for-3
- Corey Julks, RF: 1-for-2, K
- Korey Lee, C (PH): 0-for-1, K
- Chuckie Robinson, C: 0-for-2, 2K
- Gavin Sheets, RF (PH): 0-for-1
- Ky Bush, SP: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
- Justin Anderson, RP: 1 IP, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
- Chad Kuhl, RP: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K
- Jared Shuster, RP: 2 IP. 0 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Athletics Box Score
- Daz Cameron, CF: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
- Lawrence Butler, RF (PH): 1-for-2, HR, R, RBI
- Miguel Andujar, LF: 0-for-4, K
- Brent Rooker, DH: 0-for-2, 2 BB
- Shea Langeliers, C: 0-for-2, 2 BB
- Tyler Nevin, 1B: 0-for-2, RBI, BB
- JJ Bleday, CF: 1-for-3, 2B, R, BB, K
- Zack Gelof, 2B: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 K
- Darrel Hernaiz, 3B: 1-for-3
- Max Schuemann, SS: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
- JP Sears, SP: 7 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K
- Austin Adams, RP: 1 IP, H, 2 K
- Tyler Ferguson, RP: 1 IP, 2 K
Full box score via MLB.com.
Both teams only managed four hits in the game, but the A's took advantage of nine walks by Chicago pitchers. White Sox starter Ky Bush issued five free passes in four innings.
After the White Sox tied the score at one in the top of the fourth, Oakland took the lead in the bottom half of the frame thanks to Max Schuemann's two-run single.
The White Sox's losing streak dates back to July 10 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. They were playing at a 47-win pace at that point with a 27-67 record.
A 47-win pace would have been bad, but it wouldn't have been the worst mark in the modern era dating back to 1901. The 2018 Baltimore Orioles and 2019 Detroit Tigers both won 47 games, to cite two recent examples.
In the midst of this 21-game losing streak, the White Sox (27-88) are winning at a 25.7 percent clip this season. If they can stay at that level, it would tie the 1919 Philadelphia Athletics (36-104) for the fifth-worst winning percentage in a season since 1901.
Since MLB expanded to a 162-game regular season in 1961, the record for most losses in a season belongs to the 1962 New York Mets (42-120).
The White Sox will look to end their losing streak on Tuesday when they play the A's in Game 2 of their three-game series in Oakland. Chicago will send Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.11 ERA in 70 IP) to the mound against Ross Stripling (2-10, 5.65 ERA in 67.0 IP).