White Sox 2, Royals 1: The six-game skid is OVAH
The nightcap was a much-needed win for players and fans alike
We won! The Chicago White Sox won a game! Yes, your eyes are not failing you, and you read that correctly. The losing streak is over, at least for the next 48 hours. Let’s savor the moment of triumph, no matter how brief it may be.
First things first, let’s talk about Erick Fedde’s outstanding performance. He was a force to be reckoned with, delivering his best performance of the season. He earned the win, surrendering no runs on only three hits with five strikeouts and three walks over 5 2⁄3 innings. He seamlessly executed all five of his pitches and really only battled a bit in the top of the sixth when, after a double by Vinnie Pasquantino and a walk to Salvador Pérez, Pedro pulled Fedde for Tanner Banks, who struck out MJ Melendez to end the threat.
The bullpen was equally impressive, despite Banks allowing an unearned run on his own pickoff attempt in the seventh (we’ll get to that later). Deivi García pitched two stellar frames of one-hit ball to nail down the victory and earn his first save.
Despite the W, scoring was sparse in the nightcap — surprise, surprise. The Good Guys struck first in the bottom of the fourth, when Andrew Vaughn led off with a double to left field and was driven in two batters later thanks to a single by Dominic Fletcher.
Gavin Sheets came up with a huge insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, smashing a solo bomb to right field and securing a 2-0 lead for Chicago.
GAVIN SHEETS! pic.twitter.com/4MdK8t1TkX
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 17, 2024
Kansas City’s only run came in the top of the seventh when Banks’ pickoff attempt went very wrong. After Nick Loftin singled, he tried to steal second, and Banks launched an awful throw into center field that allowed Loftin to take third. He was quickly brought home by a Hunter Renfroe ground out, and the Royals scored a run F.A.S.T.
At 3-15, this team is still extremely bad. However, we’ll have to take and enjoy the wins when we can get them. Thursday is an off-day, so relish in your Sox-free evening tomorrow. The boys of summer will be back at it on Friday when they travel to the City of Brotherly Love to face the Philadelphia Phillies.
Futility Watch
White Sox 2024 Record 3-15, worst 17-game start in White Sox history (beating out 1948, at 3-14-1), tied with 21 teams for ninth-worst in MLB history
White Sox 2024 Run Differential -54, tied for 70th-worst 18-game start in MLB history
White Sox 2024 Season Record Pace 27-135 (.167)
Race to the Worst-Ever White Sox Record (1932, 52-109-1*) 25 1⁄2 games ahead
Race to the Most-Ever White Sox Losses (1970, 106) 29 games ahead
Race to the Worst-Ever American League Record (1916 A’s, 38-124*) 11 games ahead
Race to the Worst-Ever MLB Record (1899 Spiders, 21-141*) 6 games behind
*record adjusted to a 162-game season