White Sox' Stunning Late-Inning Rally Shocks Angels
The Chicago White Sox orchestrated a captivating comeback, turning a seemingly inevitable loss into a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night. Entering the bottom of the eighth inning trailing 2-0, the White Sox rallied to avert their 121st loss of the season, avoiding a reminder of the notorious 1962 New York Mets, who hold the modern MLB record for the most losses in a single season.
This victory carried extra weight, as the White Sox had struggled to clinch any win when trailing past the seventh inning this season. However, the tide began to turn in the bottom of the eighth. Zach DeLoach and Bryan Ramos provided the initial spark with back-to-back doubles, narrowing the Angels' lead and securing Chicago's first run. Lenyn Sosa then worked a walk off Angels’ reliever Hunter Strickland, loading the bases and intensifying the pressure.
With the game hanging in the balance, Luis Robert came through with a critical single, bringing home Bryan Ramos and tying the game at 2-2. The drama continued when Jack López failed to catch Robert's pop-up, setting the stage for Andrew Benintendi, who delivered the final blow. His single to left field drove in the go-ahead run, giving the White Sox a 3-2 advantage.
As the game transitioned into the ninth inning, the responsibility of closing out the game fell to Justin Anderson. Despite some nail-biting moments—most notably when he walked Mickey Moniak with two outs—Anderson kept his composure. He ultimately coaxed a ground out from Eric Wagaman, securing the White Sox's victory and tying him with two other teammates for the most saves among active players on the current roster.
This comeback win was not without its challenges, highlighting the resilience of a White Sox team that has witnessed several of its standout pitchers like Michael Kopech, John Brebbia, Tanner Banks, and Jordan Leasure either move to the minors or depart from the team. Anderson’s performance, therefore, was a testament to the remaining bullpen's ability to withstand pressure-packed situations.
The stage is now set for what promises to be another exciting encounter as the White Sox prepare to face the Angels again on Wednesday night. Fans of both teams will be keen to see if the White Sox can replicate their late-inning heroics or if the Angels will find a way to bounce back.
In a season where victories have been hard to come by, particularly in such dramatic fashion, this win will certainly stand out as a high point. For the team and its supporters, these moments of triumph amid adversity offer a glimmer of hope and a reason to believe in the potential for more thrilling comebacks in the games ahead.