BALTIMORE — Never has a 12-game losing streak looked less hideous.
When you have a 21-game losing streak, a 14-game skein and a 3-22 start to a season in the gutter, it’s not that big a deal.
Losing is what the White Sox, the only team with three losing streaks of at least 12 games since 1900, do.
So it was refreshing to lay the 12-gamer to rest Wednesday with an 8-1 victory against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
“It’s been tough this year to get those,” said second baseman Nicky Lopez, who led off the game with a home run against Albert Suarez. “But every win feels good. Especially because — and I feel like a broken record — we pull so hard for each other in here. It’s a close group, and we haven’t been able to get over that hump.”
After losing the first two games of the series by a combined 22-3 total, dare we say this wasn’t even close? It wasn’t, and the Sox’ reward is a day off Thursday. Just when things were going good.
Producing a formula not seen in weeks — three homers, a strong effort from the starting pitcher, scoreless relief pitching and two excellent defensive plays — the Sox improved to 5-38 since the All-Star break. At 32-109, they need to finish 11-10 in their last 21 games against the Red Sox, Guardians, Athletics, Angels, Padres and Tigers to avoid the 1962 Mets’ record of 120 losses.
Jonathan Cannon, who earned a save when the 14-game skid was snapped against the Red Sox on June 7 and the win when the American League record-tying 21-game streak was halted against the Athletics on Aug. 6, pitched 5⅔ innings of one-run ball to get the win in this one. Cannon (3-9, 4.53 ERA) struck out four, walked one and allowed five hits over 95 pitches.
“Clicking on all cylinders, offense, defense,” Cannon said.
“It’s been tough. It’s a testament to the kind of guys we have on this team. Professionals who flush what happened the day before and do the best we can.”
Left-hander Fraser Ellard replaced Cannon and got pinch hitter Eloy Jimenez to pop out with two runners on, then tacked on a scoreless seventh. Gus Varland struck out the side in the eighth, sending Orioles fans to the exits, a rare accomplishment for the Sox, who are 14-55 on the road.
Justin Anderson pitched a scoreless ninth.
“It was a fun one,” said interim manager Grady Sizemore, who was able to say something he hasn’t in weeks.
Lopez, Dominic Fletcher and Andrew Vaughn supplied the power. Lopez (three hits) and Fletcher homered for the first time this season, Lopez for the first time in 134 games and 466 plate appearances.
“Kind of crazy, huh? I don’t hit them often, but when I do, it’s a good feeling,” Lopez said.
The long ball, like almost every other element of winning baseball, had been absent for some time. Before Wednesday, the Sox had three homers in their previous 17 games.
Luis Robert Jr. doubled twice before leaving with a tight hamstring in the sixth. Lenyn Sosa had three and Gavin Sheets two of the Sox’ 15 hits, their highest total since getting 18 in a 12-2 victory Aug. 12 against the Yankees.
A night after playing one of their sloppiest defensive games, Robert caught a Cedric Mullins drive at the top of the wall in center and Fletcher threw out Mullins at third from right field to complete a double play.
“This is a night where it came together,” Sizemore said.
The losses have taken a brutal toll, so this win was more than welcome.
“It’s been hard to come by, so we’ll enjoy it and be ready for Friday,” Sizemore said.