One of the longest losing streaks in baseball history has come to a definitive end. The Chicago White Sox finally found relief Tuesday night with a decisive 5-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum, halting their grueling 21-game losing skid.
Cannon's Commanding Performance
Jonathan Cannon, the rookie starter for the White Sox, delivered an impressive performance on the mound, showcasing both resilience and skill. Cannon pitched six solid innings, giving up only one run and striking out five batters.
The young hurler deftly navigated trouble spots that could have easily derailed his outing. In the first inning, with the bases loaded, Cannon remained composed and managed to escape unscathed. A similar scenario emerged in the second inning but was defused thanks to an inning-ending double play. Even in the fifth inning, with two more Athletics reaching base, Cannon worked his way through the stress to keep the score intact.
Offensive Contributions
While Cannon set the tone defensively, the White Sox offense provided crucial support. Andrew Benintendi ignited the scoring with a two-run home run in the fourth inning, a swing that seemed to breathe new life into the team. Andrew Vaughn added to the momentum with an RBI single in the sixth inning, which was followed by a run scored on a wild pitch, extending the White Sox lead.
Lenyn Sosa capped off the scoring in the ninth inning with an RBI single, ensuring the team’s long-awaited triumph was never in doubt.
Relief Pitching Shines
Equally vital to the victory was the performance from the bullpen, which had been a notable weak point for the team since the All-Star break. With an ERA of 6.72 from that period through Monday night, there was uncertainty about whether the bullpen could hold onto any lead. However, Dominic Leone, Chad Kuhl, and John Brebbia answered those doubts with strong relief outings, keeping the Athletics at bay and securing the win.
A Historical Losing Streak
The end of the White Sox’s 21-game losing streak marks relief from a harrowing stretch that ranks among the longest in MLB history. Only the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies and the 1988 Baltimore Orioles have experienced losing streaks of equal or greater length. Other teams, like the 1969 Montreal Expos, the 1943 Philadelphia Athletics, the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics, and the 1906 Boston Americans, are the only other franchises to endure 20-game slides.
With the victory, the White Sox now hold a 28-88 record and are on pace for a 39-123 finish—a rate that could challenge the worst modern-day MLB record held by the 1962 Mets, who finished with a dismal 40-120 season.
Breaking the Drought
The victory was the team’s first since July 10, providing a fleeting yet much-needed respite for a squad in the throes of a challenging season. Though there is still a steep road ahead, Tuesday night’s game offered a ray of hope and perhaps a turning point that can inspire improved performances down the stretch.