SAN FRANCISCO – One step at a time, with one loss almost every day, the White Sox march closer to the record.
With a 5-3 loss Monday to the Giants at Oracle Park, the Sox (30-96) will need to go 14-22 in their final 36 games to avoid tying the 1962 Mets, who finished 40-120 in their first season to set the record for losses in a season. The Sox are offering no resistance, having lost 29 of their last 32 games.
Under interim manager Grady Sizemore, who took over for fired manager Pedro Grifol, the Sox are 2-7 for a .222 win percentage. They won at a .239 clip under Grifol.
Right-hander Jonathan Cannon looked like he’d give the Sox a chance against the Giants (64-63), who had lost five of their last seven but strung five straight hits and a sacrifice fly for four runs in the fifth after Cannon posted four scoreless innings. Matt Chapman led off the sixth with his 20th homer.
The Sox filled the bases with no outs in the third against lefty Kyle Harrison but didn’t score when Lenyn Sosa struck out and Luis Robert Jr. hit into a double play. Andrew Vaughn and Korey Lee opened the fourth with singles, but to no avail.
Robert’s second single, Lee’s double and a sacrifice fly by Miguel Vargas and pinch single by Gavin Sheets got the Sox within 5-3 in the eighth.
That’s better, Benny
The eight-inning rally stalled when Andrew Benintendi, who had hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, struck out as a pinch hitter with the tying runs on against righty submariner Ty Rogers in the eighth.
But Benintendi has been encouraged by a .311 hitting stretch with five homers and four doubles.
“I’m trying to break this down in two seasons at this point,” he said. “Obviously, the first half was terrible. Just trying to capitalize on what I can.
“I’m being more aggressive on pitches where I’m looking in the zone. I’m looking to drive the ball now, as opposed to just finesse something into left field or up the middle.”
Foster demotion may be temporary
All reliever Matt Foster did last Friday in his return after Tommy John surgery in 2023 was pitch a perfect inning in a victory against the Astros. So it came as a surprise in the Sox’ clubhouse that Foster was the one optioned to Triple-A Charlotte to make room for waiver claim Enyel De Los Santos on the active roster.
“It was nothing about his play — we just needed a roster spot for De Los Santos,” interim manager Grady Sizemore said. “It’s unfortunate. We didn’t want to send anyone out, but it was a tough call. But as soon as we have an extra spot or someone else goes down, he’ll be the first guy back.”
At Charlotte, Foster has a 2.31 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings over 11 games.
Claimed Saturday from the Yankees, De Los Santos, 28, he has a 4.51 ERA over 214 career relief appearances.
Foster became the 57th player (and 29th pitcher) used by the Sox on Friday, breaking the franchise record of 56 set last season.
Cannon’s good start goes sideways
This and that
Justin Anderson entered Monday with a 1.04 ERA and one hit and five walks allowed in eight appearances this month.
*The Sox are 10-28 against National League teams and 25-59 since the start of last season.