Diamondbacks 7, White Sox 1: No streaking here
The beatings will continue until morale improves
The Diamondbacks might be in fourth place in the National League West, but that doesn’t mean they can’t humiliate the White Sox. And that is exactly what they did, in Friday’s 7-1 drubbing.
The White Sox struck first with an RBI single from Nicky Lopez, sending Andrew Benintendi home. Alas, that would be the high point of this game, and the only run this pitiful team could muster up.
Hell broke loose for Chris Flexen and Co. in the second. He walked Eugenio Suárez to load the bases with one out, as every pitch seemed to be missing high. Two runs scored after an RBI single from Tucker Barnhart — coming after a failed attempt at a double play. The Snakes took the lead for good, yes, in the second inning.
Off-speed pitches seemed to work for Flexen as he got his first strikeout in the third. However, Joc Pederson was able to score another run after an RBI double from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Suárez started the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer. Barnhart singled to left, and Corbin Carroll singled to first on a grounder, driving Barnhart home. Flexen walked Ketel Marte and was met by Pedro Grifol, removing the ball from his hand.
Chris Flexen: 3.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR, 46 of 75 pitches for strikes, with 21 called strikes/whiffs.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 15, 2024
A rough time was had. The White Sox have also thrown two balls into center field tonight.
Mike Soroka came in and immediately allowed Martel to advance on an error to second, and Carroll advanced to third. Pederson grounded out but still sent Carroll home to make it 6-1.
Lenyn Sosa had a one-out double in the fifth, but was left stranded. Ryne Nelson was still in the game, doing just fine, as I predicted in the gamethread. In the bottom of the fifth Soroka ended Carroll’s 30-game streak without a strikeout, though, so maybe the fifth wasn’t completely uneventful?
Justin Martínez relieved Nelson for the seventh and allowed Lopez to single, but he was stranded. The White Sox way! In the bottom half Pederson took Soroka deep with a solo homer to right, making it 7-1.
Bryce Jarvis and Jared Shuster did their part, both with 1-2-3 innings for the eighth.
The clown show continued with Danny Mendick and Corey Julks now in, because why not at this point? DeJong tried to boost morale with a single, but with two outs, Korey Lee flied out to end the game.
Not sure if being a #WhiteSox fan or a player is more painful currently. Woof.
— Laura (@EllaJay912) June 15, 2024
Chuck, Ozzie, and Scott Podsednik have decided against talking about the game on the postgame show, instead chatting about better days.
That time Scotty Pods rizzed up Oprah... pic.twitter.com/53J9lrI9Ia
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) June 15, 2024
Futility Watch
White Sox 2024 Record 18-53, worst 71-game start in White Sox history (5 games ahead of the next-worst, 1929 and 1934 White Sox) and tied for the ninth-worst start in MLB history
White Sox 2024 Run Differential -155, tied for 21st-worst 71-game start in MLB history
White Sox 2024 Season Record Pace 41-121 (.254)
Race to the Worst “Modern” 162-Game Record (2003 Tigers, 43-119) 2 games ahead
Race to the Worst “Modern” Record in a 162-Game Season (1962 Mets, 40-120) TIED
Race to the Most White Sox Losses (1970, 106) 15 games ahead
Race to the Worst White Sox Record (1932, 52-109-1*) 11 1⁄2 games ahead
Race to the Worst American League Record (1916 A’s, 38-124*) 3 games behind
*record adjusted to a 162-game season