Tigers 2, White Sox 1: That’s So White Sox

I can’t believe I spent my Friday night watching this game

Steve Stone called it on the pregame broadcast. Two great pitchers locked in a low-scoring pitchers’ duel: Is this a late birthday gift for me?

Next question: How will the White Sox ruin it?

In true White Sox fashion, they begin by stranding runners on the corners. Command was lacking a bit for Erick Fedde, but thankfully no damage was done. The top of the second was just as uneventful outside of Jack Flaherty’s third strikeout of the game.

In the bottom of the second Justyn-Henry Malloy doubled to center, followed by a Carson Kelly two-run homer, putting the Tigers up by two.

Tommy Pham very sneakingly stole second standing up with two outs, yet alas, no dice. Fedde gave up a hit to Riley Green, but the White Sox got a force out and a double play to stay out of trouble.

Pham, the only hitter who decided to play tonight, struck a solo homer with two outs in the fifth to make things interesting. Steady Fedde looked great, with his pitch count just at 76 through five.

Luis Robert Jr., buddy, I’ve got a question for you.

Flaherty gave up a four-pitch walk to Oscar Colás with now two on and two outs, so AJ Hinch summoned Beau Brieske from the pen to get the final out. Tigers fans, seemingly unaware of the score, are not thrilled with Flaherty’s performance.

Meanwhile, Fedde cruised through a solid sixth inning.

The top of the seventh flew on by, as Ryan Kreidler fielded all three grounders for a quick inning. Seriously, all three outs went straight to him. Fedde came back out at just 85 pitches, and once again turned three quick and easy outs.

Is Kreidler the only player on the Tigers? He has secured the last five outs for the Sox. Gavin Sheets hits a two-out blooper single that ended Brieske’s outing for Jason Foley. The two-pitch pitcher came on to shut down Andrew Vaughn, which was easy, as Vaughn swung at the first pitch.

John Brebbia came out for the eighth and the only thing of note was that it started raining. Cue the Rainman jokes, because it really only happens to him. Weird.

Foley took Colás down to start the ninth but hit Paul DeJong, sending him to first. Hinch challenged it, allowing his pitcher to cool down, but the call stood.

Now, for the White Sox magnum opus!

Andrew Benintendi came in to pitch-hit for Korey Lee, for some reason.

Benintendi flied out to center for the second out ... however, DeJong was unaware there was only one out and ran out the play, past second second base and turning to third; he was easily doubled up off of first base, ending the game.

Another Fedde gem ruined, this time after one of the most embarrassing moments I’ve seen in a while. Here is the play, in case you missed it; I had the pleasure of watching it live.

Congrats, White Sox. That was truly a masterclass of bad fundamental baseball. I’m going to share this clip with my son’s baseball team to serve as a reminder to always know how many outs there are, and what not to do if they want to win a game.

Futility Watch

White Sox 2024 Record 20-57, worst 77-game start in White Sox history (6 games ahead of the next-worst, 1934 White Sox) and a season-worst 37 games under .500
White Sox 2024 Run Differential -159, tied for the tied for the 28th-worst 77-game start in history and a season-worst mark
White Sox 2024 Season Record Pace 42-120 (.260)
Race to the Worst “Modern” 162-Game Record (2003 Tigers, 43-119) 1 game ahead
Race to the Worst “Modern” Record in a 162-Game Season (1962 Mets, 40-120) 1 game behind
Race to the Most White Sox Losses (1970, 106) 14 games ahead
Race to the Worst White Sox Record (1932, 52-109-1*) 10 1⁄2 games ahead
Race to the Worst American League Record (1916 A’s, 38-124*) 4 games behind
*record adjusted to a 162-game season