Dodgers 4, White Sox 0: Another series, another sweep
Erick Fedde’s home-field magic disappeared
I suppose I jinxed Erick Fedde in the gamethread when I touted how well he pitched at home, so I’ll take a tiny, tiny bit of responsibility here. But it’s hard not to feel frustrated when the White Sox are so consistently disappointing. And tonight was yet just another example of that, having been swept for the 12th time this season.
Despite throwing a lot of strikes, Fedde couldn’t fool the Boys in Blue. They know how to hit and put the starter to the test right away, as leadoff batter and reigning NL home run leader Shohei Ohtani (25) took him deep in the top of the first. It was the second straight night that Ohtani hit a four-bagger to begin the game and he also extended his RBI streak to a franchise-record 10 games. It’s hard not to enjoy watching Shohei play; sorry, not sorry.
What Shohei did tonight, leadoff homers in consecutive games, the White Sox have done just three times ... in their history.
Fedde also ran into some trouble in the top of the third when he loaded the bases with nobody out. He couldn’t escape the jam and surrendered three tallies to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead. That was more than enough to beat the worst team in baseball.
Michael Soroka came on in relief of Fedde in the seventh and had his good stuff going. He surrendered no runs on one hit while walking two and striking out six over three innings. Chicago’s bullpen is so unpredictable. It’s feast or famine.
The South Side offense was again nonexistent, with four hits. Four damn hits! Granted, I’ve got to give credit to Gavin Stone, who was extremely efficient, tossing 103 pitches, of which 73 were strikes. His six-pitch mix was downright nasty, as he struck out seven and walked none while earning the complete game shutout and his eighth quality start this year. So yes, the White Sox are awful, but Stone was fantastic and should be considered for a spot on the All-Star roster.
As a side note, Gavin Sheets, who had one of the four measly hits, left the game in the top of the sixth. X-rays came back negative. Look for him to sit out five games before the White Sox remember they can put him on the IL.
Gavin Sheets left tonight's game with a jammed left heel. He is being further evaluated.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 27, 2024
Tomorrow, Chris Sale returns to his old stomping grounds for a makeup contest between the Atlanta Braves and Sox. The first pitch is at 3:10 p.m. CST. Check back here at South Side Sox for all the details.
Futility Watch
White Sox 2024 Record 21-61, worst 82-game start in White Sox history (6 1⁄2 games ahead of the next-worst, 1948 White Sox)
White Sox 2024 Run Differential -172, 25th-worst 81-game start in MLB history
White Sox 2024 Season Record Pace 41-121 (.256)
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) EVEN
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