Orioles Hold Off Late Charge from White Sox in 8-7 Thriller
The Chicago White Sox mounted a spirited comeback in the eighth inning, scoring five runs, but ultimately fell short against the Baltimore Orioles, losing 8-7 at Rate Field. The defeat extends the White Sox’s losing streak to five games, while the Orioles aim for a series sweep in the concluding matchup Wednesday afternoon.
Orioles Jump to Early Lead
From the outset, the Orioles appeared to be in command, controlling the game and building a substantial six-run lead by the time the eighth inning rolled around. They capitalized on a consistent offensive effort, scoring two runs in four separate innings, while the White Sox struggled to find their rhythm, remaining scoreless from the second through the seventh innings.
However, the White Sox, known for their resilience, demonstrated their fighting spirit once again. After a run crossed the plate due to a wild pitch, Lenyn Sosa ignited the rally with a two-RBI single, narrowing the gap to three runs. Andrew Benintendi followed suit by launching a two-run home run to center field, just out of the reach of Baltimore’s center fielder, Colton Cowser. This blast not only tied Benintendi’s career-high with 20 home runs but also marked a significant milestone since a White Sox primary left fielder hadn’t reached this mark since Carlos Quentin in 2008-09.
A Near-Miraculous Comeback
With the Orioles’ lead trimmed to just one run, the White Sox saw a glimmer of hope. Curtis Mead stepped up as a pinch-hitter, followed by leadoff hitter Chase Meidroth, the team’s OPS leader Kyle Teel, and rookie sensation Colson Montgomery, who had set the record for the most home runs (18) by a primary shortstop in MLB history over his first 60 games.
Meidroth managed to reach base with a single, but the energy fizzled out when both Teel and Montgomery struck out, sealing the White Sox’s fate in a heartbreaking conclusion.
Teel’s Mixed Evening
Teel’s two-run homer in the first inning had been the White Sox’s only offense until the eighth, but he was unable to replicate that success in the final moments. In his ninth-inning at-bat, he admitted to chasing a poor pitch, which led to his strikeout. Reflecting on the experience, Teel remained positive, acknowledging the team’s fight despite the disappointing outcome.
“Trying to do too much. I wanted to end the ballgame right there,” Teel said. “But you know, I swung at a bad pitch and that was it. There’s a lot of fight in this ball club. We didn’t get the results we want, but we got another game to focus on tomorrow and that’s what it’s about.”
Smith’s Struggles on the Mound
White Sox starter Shane Smith began the game strong, striking out four batters and keeping the Orioles scoreless through the first two innings. However, he soon encountered difficulties, particularly with his curveball. Jeremiah Jackson capitalized on an 0-2 curveball to drive in Baltimore’s first run, and Samuel Basallo later added a two-run homer that put the Orioles ahead 4-2.
After exiting the game in 4.1 innings, Smith had allowed a career-high nine hits and matched his career-high with six earned runs, alongside seven strikeouts. He expressed frustration over his performance, particularly on the pitches that led to significant runs for the Orioles.
“I think Jackson’s curveball was very poorly executed,” Smith said. “I think it could be some sequencing to Basallo; maybe if I throw a better pitch he doesn’t hit it for a homer. Maybe it’s the wrong pitch.”
Looking Ahead
As the White Sox prepare for their next meeting with the Orioles, manager Will Venable remains optimistic about his team’s growth through these challenging experiences.
“All these experiences are ones that they can learn from and are going to grow from,” Venable said. “We’ve seen them come through in a number of spots, and they have been challenged before. Each one of these experiences is going to help them grow.”
With the opportunity to turn things around on the horizon, the White Sox will look to harness their resilience as they face the Orioles once more.
