MLB Tuesday Recap: White Sox Stave Off Historic Losing Streak

The Chicago White Sox narrowly avoided etching their name into the record books for the most losses in a single MLB season on Tuesday, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field. This win marked their 37th of the season, allowing them to sidestep the modern MLB record for losses, which they currently share with the infamous 1962 expansion New York Mets, who lost 120 games.

Trailing 2-0 as they entered the eighth inning, the White Sox rallied with three runs to clinch the win. The crowd, which had been vocally expressing their frustrations throughout the season, had hoped to witness a historic defeat instead. Fans were heard chanting for team owner Jerry Reinsdorf to sell the franchise, showcasing their dissatisfaction.

“It’s been a long season,” said White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi. “I think people here tonight were maybe trying to see history. But they’re going to have to wait one more day. Maybe.” Benintendi’s two-out single in the eighth inning was pivotal, allowing Chicago to stave off the unwanted record, although they still have five games left this season to potentially claim it.

General manager Chris Getz addressed the situation, acknowledging the disappointing season but emphasizing the potential for growth. “There’s a myriad of reasons why we stand here today with the record that we have. Now, with that being said, I personally view this as a tremendous opportunity to build something,” he noted.

The White Sox, who ended a five-game losing streak with this victory, are set to face the Angels again on Wednesday.

Astros Claim AL West Title

In other MLB news, the Houston Astros celebrated clinching their seventh AL West division title in eight years after defeating the Seattle Mariners 4-3. This victory marked a franchise milestone, as it was the first time they had won four consecutive AL West titles and secured a spot in the playoffs for the eighth straight year.

The Astros’ comeback from a slow start this season has been impressive; they once found themselves 10 games behind the Mariners in June. The team turned things around with a seven-game winning streak, showcasing their resilience. Key contributions came from Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Jason Heyward, each of whom hit home runs to propel the Astros to victory.

“Obviously, we got off to a tough start,” Bregman said. “But everyone just kept working, kept their heads down and stayed focused. I’m very proud of this group. It’s just a group of guys that know how to win games. It’s in our culture.”

Guardians Secure First-Round Bye

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians solidified their playoff position by clinching the AL Central title last week and now have secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the American League Divisional Series. They triumphed over the Cincinnati Reds 6-1, retaining the Ohio Cup in the process.

General manager Stephen Vogt expressed pride in the team’s achievements. “It’s incredible. Obviously, we worked really hard to get here. Postseason checked, the division secured, now with the bye – it’s just so great for these guys. They’ve earned every bit of this,” he stated. With the division series starting on October 5, the Guardians will enjoy a well-deserved five-day rest.

Orioles Clinch Postseason Berth

In the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles celebrated a significant achievement by clinching a postseason berth for the second consecutive year, their first back-to-back appearances in 27 years. They secured their spot with a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees, further solidified by the Minnesota Twins’ loss to the Miami Marlins.

Despite Aaron Judge hitting his 56th home run—leading the MLB—the Orioles’ victory propelled them into the playoffs. General manager Mike Elias expressed excitement about the team’s prospects heading into October. “I’m really excited to see what this group of players does now after having a bit of a rockier regular season going into the playoffs,” he remarked. “We’ve got all of our guys back healthy, the lineup looks good, and I hope we can build some momentum before we get into the playoffs.”

With the playoffs approaching, the stakes are rising as teams push to secure their spots and improve their standings.