The Chicago White Sox delivered a thrilling comeback against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night, transforming what looked like a certain loss into a dramatic 3-2 victory. This win, taking place at their home ground, offered a much-needed reprieve from what has been an arduous season, as it prevented the White Sox from facing their 121st defeat of the year.
A Historic Struggle Averted
Headed into the bottom of the eighth inning, the White Sox were staring down a 2-0 deficit. Up until this point, the 2023 team had consistently faltered after trailing beyond the seventh inning, without a single comeback victory to their name. However, the events that unfolded in the final two innings turned recent history on its head in spectacular fashion, helping the White Sox avoid creeping closer to the infamy of the 1962 New York Mets, who hold the modern Major League Baseball record for the most losses in a season.
The Turning Point
The comeback was sparked by the bats of Zach DeLoach and Bryan Ramos, who hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the eighth inning. These crucial hits put the first dent in Los Angeles' lead, allowing Chicago to finally get on the scoreboard with their first run of the game.
Lenyn Sosa's patience at the plate yielded dividends as he drew a walk off Angels reliever Hunter Strickland, loading the bases and setting the stage for further drama. With the pressure mounting, Luis Robert came through with a vital single, bringing Bryan Ramos home to level the game at 2-2.
Seizing the Moment
The momentum clearly on their side, the White Sox did not let the opportunity slip away. An error by Jack López, who failed to catch Robert's pop-up, kept the inning alive. Then, Andrew Benintendi stepped up to deliver the decisive blow—a single to left field that pushed the White Sox into a 3-2 lead, marking the first time in the game they had been ahead.
Closing the Deal
The ninth inning saw Justin Anderson take the mound with the precarious one-run lead in hand. As the tension in the stadium reached its peak, Anderson managed to avoid disaster despite walking Mickey Moniak with two outs. He steadied himself and coaxed a groundout from Eric Wagaman to finally end the game, sealing a hard-fought victory for Chicago.
This save was particularly significant for Anderson, as it placed him in a tie with two other White Sox pitchers for the most saves in the current season among active players on the roster. Notably, the team's bullpen has seen considerable turnover, with Michael Kopech, John Brebbia, Tanner Banks, and Jordan Leasure—each of whom has multiple saves this season—no longer with the team or playing in the minors.
Looking Ahead
The rejuvenated White Sox will look to carry this momentum forward as they face the Angels again on Wednesday night. This victory not only lifted the spirits of the team and their fan base but also demonstrated the potential for late-game heroics in a season filled with adversity.