The scuffling Chicago White Sox enter Tuesday’s visit from the Toronto Blue Jays on a six-game losing streak, their third skid of at least that many games this season.
Losers of 10 of the past 11 overall, the White Sox have been limited to one run in each of their past two defeats, needing solo home runs from Danny Mendick and Gavin Sheets, respectively, to avoid being blanked.
“Definitely the biggest thing is scoring (runs),” Chicago first baseman Andrew Vaughn said of his team’s most recent struggles. “That’s how you win ballgames. We didn’t cash in. Losing stinks. I think that’s the biggest thing. No one in here wants to lose, from the top down.”
No White Sox player, manager, coach or executive wants to compare defeats, either, especially when Chicago has a major league-worst 40 of them.
Still, Chicago looked less feeble at the plate Monday than it did the previous afternoon in the opener of a three-game series against the Blue Jays. One day after getting one-hit by the Baltimore Orioles, the White Sox out-hit Toronto 10-6 in a 5-1 loss.
Andrew Benintendi led the attack with three hits, while Sheets and Corey Julks added two apiece.
More hits, however, equated to more missed opportunities, as Chicago went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position while stranding 11.
“We just need to have good at-bats,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “Today our at-bats were a (heck) of a lot better. Our guys competed.”
Toronto thrived on the long ball Monday to stop a three-game losing streak and improve to 3-1 against Chicago this season. George Springer, Bo Bichette and Davis Schneider all homered for the Blue Jays.
Springer went deep for the first time since April 24 as Toronto fights to stay afloat in the tough American League East amid a subpar first third of the season.
“When things don’t go your way, individually or as a team, it can seem to spiral and things can seem like a big, jumbled mess,” Springer said. “I think guys have done a really good job of not really looking forward to what’s ahead or dwelling on the past.
“Guys have been doing a much better job, especially the last month, I would say, of just playing the day out.”
Right-hander Kevin Gausman (3-3, 4.47 ERA) is set to get the call for the Blue Jays. Gausman will try for his third straight quality start after defeating the host Detroit Tigers on Thursday behind six innings of one-run, three-hit ball with two walks and a season-high 10 strikeouts.
Gausman is 1-0 with a 2.49 ERA in six appearances against Chicago, including four starts.
White Sox right-hander Mike Clevinger (0-3, 6.75) remains in search of his first victory since rejoining the club in May. His defeats have come against Toronto’s counterparts in the AL East — the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and Orioles.
Last Thursday, the Orioles reached Clevinger for five runs and seven hits, including two homers, in 4 2/3 innings. Clevinger surrendered a season high in hits (seven) and has not struck out more than five in any of his four starts.
Clevinger is 3-2 with a 5.08 ERA in six career appearances against the Blue Jays, including five starts.
–Field Level Media
