The Chicago White Sox stopped history Friday night by beating the Boston Red Sox 7-2 at Guaranteed Rate Field and snapping a 14-game losing streak.
Luis Robert Jr, Gavin Sheets and Andrew Vaughn homered to give the White Sox a much-needed boost. Robert Jr. hit a solo shot off Red Sox starter Cooper Criswell in the bottom of the first inning, while Sheets and Vaughn went back to back in the sixth inning off reliever Greg Weissert to give Chicago a 6-2 lead.
Friday’s win ended a franchise record of 14 straight losses in a single season, the most in Major League Baseball since the Los Angeles Angels lost 14 straight in 2022.
Gavin Sheets & Andrew Vaughn go BACK-TO-BACK! 💥 pic.twitter.com/Bq6WA34XXt
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 8, 2024
“Happy day,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said after the win. “It’s just a really good feeling to break a streak that seems to be the hot topic. Let’s start something new.”
Chicago starter Garrett Crochet struck out 10 and allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings.
The win wasn’t without hiccups when Jarren Duran hit a comebacker to Crochet, who then misfired on a pickoff attempt to first baseman Andrew Vaughn. The ball bounced past the right-field line, and Duran sprinted toward second base and headed for third as Bobby Dalbec scored. Then, Boston’s Rob Refsnyder stepped to the plate, but Crochet stepped off the rubber before Refsnyder could settle in the batter’s box.
The White Sox were appealing if Duran ever touched first base, and Crochet, who had his back to Duran on third, threw to Vaughn at first. As soon as Crochet moved, Duran stole home standing up to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.
What just happened?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nSZPsjw68k
— MLB (@MLB) June 8, 2024
Right-hander Jonathan Cannon, who Chicago recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, earned his first MLB save. He allowed three hits over three scoreless innings while striking out four.
Despite the win, Chicago has the worst record in the majors at 16-48.
Required reading
- Pedro Grifol is running out of time as White Sox manager. The only question is when a change will be made
- White Sox lose franchise-record 14th straight game as horrific season slumps again
- Bears defense is loud, White Sox bullpen is bad and Cubs are probably not back
(Photo: Matt Marton / USA Today)