CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon gave the White Sox a great chance to end their franchise-record losing streak Tuesday night.
But it was another eighth-inning blown lead and another loss for a team chasing MLB history in all the wrong ways.
For the second straight night at Guaranteed Rate Field, the Kansas City Royals rallied past the White Sox in the eighth, wasting a great start by Cannon and handing the South Siders a 4-3 loss to extend their franchise-record losing streak to 16 games.
Chicago, which had a 14-game losing streak earlier this season, dropped to an MLB-worst 27-83 and is threatening to break the record for most losses in a 162-game season, set by the expansion New York Mets when they finished with 120 in 1962. That infamous Mets team was 29-81 through 110 games, so the 2024 White Sox are two games worse at the same point.
Going into Wednesday afternoon’s series finale with the Royals, the White Sox have a winning percentage of .245. Only one team in MLB’s Modern Era (since 1900) ended the season with a worse winning percentage than that.
The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics finished with a 36-117-1 record, when the season was 154 games, for a .235 winning percentage.
“It’s not for the lack of effort. We’re busting our (tails) trying to get that win,” White Sox shortstop Nicky Lopez said Tuesday after the team’s latest loss. “It just always seems like there’s that one inning or one situation where we have to come through, and we haven’t done that.”
Cannon shines
Cannon certainly came through Tuesday, allowing just one hit over seven innings, Michael Massey’s solo homer with two outs in the third that tied the game at 1-1. Cannon walked three and struck out two, lowering his season ERA to 4.11.
Andrew Vaughn homered for the second consecutive night to give the White Sox a 2-1 lead in the fourth, and Cannon departed after the seventh in line for the win.
He gave way to rookie Fraser Ellard, making his MLB debut. Ellard, who took the loss, walked two batters and was replaced by Justin Anderson with one out in the eighth.
Bobby Witt Jr., the budding young star shortstop for the Royals who belted a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth in Monday’s game, greeted Anderson with a bloop single to tie the game at 2-2. Vinnie Pasquantino followed with a two-run single to give Kansas City the lead for good at 4-2.
“We’ve had big at-bats all year,” Massey said. “We know we’re capable.”
The White Sox at least made a comeback attempt Tuesday, as Vaughn had an RBI groundout in the bottom of the eighth to make it 4-3. But Andrew Benintendi struck out with the tying run on third, and Sam Long worked a clean ninth for his fourth career save and first this season.
Royals starter Michael Wacha (8-6) scattered five hits over seven innings, walking two and striking out five. He’s won five of his last six starts, and Kansas City has won 11 of 17 overall.
“He was really good,” Pasquantino said. “It’s awesome to play behind him because you always feel like you’re in it.”
Flurry of trades
It was a busy trade-deadline day Tuesday for both teams. Kansas City acquired right-hander Lucas Erceg from Oakland for outfielder Jared Dickey and pitchers Mason Barnett and Will Klein. The move came after the Royals swapped minor-league pitcher Jarold Rosado for White Sox infielder Paul DeJong.
Chicago designated hitter Eloy Jiménez went to Baltimore for left-hander Trey McGough and cash, and lefty Tanner Banks was traded to Philadelphia for minor league infielder William Bergolla.
That came a day after the White Sox traded traded away starting pitcher Erick Fedde, reliever Michael Kopech and outfielder Tommy Pham for multiple prospects in a three-team deal.
However, it was a move many thought the White Sox would make that never materialized.
All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet, the subject of much speculation in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s deadline, is staying put. His demand for a new contract and a starting role from any potential new team reportedly affected the team’s ability to trade him.
Chicago outfielder Luis Robert Jr. also remained with the club despite persistent trade talk.
Roster moves
White Sox: INF Lenyn Sosa was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, LHP Fraser Ellard was promoted from Charlotte and former Los Angeles Dodgers INF Miguel Vargas was signed before the first pitch.
Up next
Kansas City’s Brady Singer (7-6, 2.82 ERA) faces fellow right-hander Drew Thorpe (3-2, 4.81) in the series finale Wednesday afternoon.
First pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.