For at least a few hours, the White Sox don’t have to think about their march to infamy.
By beating the Athletics 4-3 on Sunday, the Sox took a series for the first time since June 28-30 against the Rockies. They won consecutive games for the first time since a three-game run from June 27-29.
“We haven't had too many of these opportunities where we're getting to the third game of a series, and we still have a chance to win it. That's extra motivation,” interim manager Grady Sizemore said before the game. “Off of a win last night gives guys a lot of motivation and energy coming into here. So, trying to make the most of that and come out with a series win, get onto the road and take some momentum going over there.”
Even with a little momentum, that road trip could be historic for the 35-115 Sox, who had dropped 20 consecutive series.
If the Sox go 1-5 on their West Coast swing against the Angels and Padres, they will have 120 losses to tie the modern-day record previously held by the 1962 Mets. A winless trip will give them 121 defeats to own the mark outright.
The record for the worst winning percentage (.235, set by the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics) will also be in play. Through Sunday, the Sox are at .233 and need to win four of their last 12 games to finish clear of that dubious achievement.
Whether or not Yoan Moncada plays a role in the Sox' attempts to avoid immortality remains to be seen.
Out since April 9 with a left adductor strain, Sunday was Moncada’s 20th day of his minor-league rehab assignment. MLB rules limit players to 20-day rehab stints, so it seems the Sox and the former top prospect are at a crossroads about whether he will return in 2024.
The Sox who are active did enough Sunday to beat the Athletics in front of an announced crowd of 18,017.
Making his first career start, Sean Burke went five innings, allowing two runs and five hits. He almost made a splash in the first when he struck out Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker on three pitches each and got to an 0-2 count against JJ Bleday. One pitch from an immaculate inning, Burke threw a high and outside curve.
Burke cruised through the first four innings and got two outs to begin the fifth but walked Butler and then gave up Rooker’s 37th home run of the season.
The Sox gave Burke a 3-0 first-inning lead against Oakland starter JP Sears. Andrew Vaughn’s bloop single to right opened the scoring, and Gavin Sheets followed with a two-run homer to right. The home run was the second of Sheets’ career against a left-hander.
Bryan Ramos added a solo home run in the sixth. That was was valuable because of Shea Langeliers' pinch-homer with two outs in the ninth off Sox reliever Fraser Ellard.
