The Chicago White Sox's struggles continued Sunday, as they suffered a 13-7 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Twins. The loss marks the 20th consecutive defeat for the White Sox, further extending the longest losing streak in Major League Baseball (MLB) this season. The dubious milestone places the White Sox in the unfortunate company of just six other franchises in modern MLB history to have endured such a prolonged slump.
From the very start, it was evident that the White Sox were in for another challenging day. The Twins quickly took control, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. By the end of the second inning, the Twins had compounded the misery for the visitors by extending their lead to a commanding 8-0, with Royce Lewis delivering a crushing blow with a three-run home run.
While the White Sox managed to score more than five runs for the first time during their current losing streak, it was not enough to mount a comeback. Over the course of their last 20 games, the White Sox have been consistently outscored, with opponents piling up 131 runs to their 48. On average, the team has faced a deficit of four runs per game during this horrendous stretch.
The dismal performance has contributed to a season record of 27-87. As they approach the final stretch of the season, the White Sox are on pace for a staggering 124 losses. In the annals of modern baseball, only the 1962 New York Mets lost more games in a season, ending with 120 defeats. Post-World War II, only the 2003 Detroit Tigers and the 2018 Baltimore Orioles have crossed the 115-loss threshold in a season, a bleak statistic that the White Sox are poised to match or even surpass.
Historically, the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies hold the record for the longest losing streak at 23 games. With just three more defeats, the White Sox would tie this notorious record. Other teams that share the ignominy of a 20-game losing streak include the 1988 Baltimore Orioles and the 1969 Montreal Expos.
This season’s difficulties are not new to the White Sox. Earlier in the year, from May 22 to June 6, the team endured a 14-game losing streak. This stretch itself ties for the 38th longest in MLB history, signaling a season marred by extended periods of poor performance.
Fans, players, and the entire White Sox organization are now pinning their hopes on an upcoming game against the Oakland Athletics, yearning for a victory to finally put an end to the losing streak. Whether they can turn this challenging season around remains to be seen, but the persistent efforts to break free from this rut will continue to capture the attention of the baseball world.