The Chicago White Sox squandered a two-run lead in the series-opening loss against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Chicago White Sox are cratering in their 2023 campaign. After Monday's disappointing loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, they've lost five in a row. Chicago led 2-0 early but surrendered the lead after a three-run homer by Cavan Biggio. After that, the South Siders' bats went silent in a lifeless three-hit performance.
Still Searching
Any optimism about the 2023 White Sox coming into the year no longer exists. The season has already gone off the rails after a 5-2 loss that dropped the Sox to 7-16 and six games out of first place. In addition, the Pale Hose have yet to win back-to-back games or a series almost a month into the year.
White Sox starter Lance Lynn breezed through his first three innings while the offense staked him a 2-0 lead. Then, in the third, Andrew Vaughn knocked a two-run double into the gap in left-center. The big two-out hit came after a Luis Robert walk and Andrew Benintendi single.
No Good Leads Go Unpunished
However, as we've grown accustomed to, the lead wouldn't hold for long as Lynn labored through the fourth inning after recording two quick outs. The second out came on a spectacular home run robbery by Luis Robert Jr.
But a walk issued to Christian Kirk, a single by Brandon Belt, and a double by Whitt Merrifield followed the highlight-reel catch and opened the scoring for Toronto. The back-breaker occurred in the following at-bat when Cavan Biggio crushed a three-run homer to put Toronto ahead by two.
Lynn pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, his final inning. He allowed all four earned runs in the fourth inning, issuing five hits and four walks with four strikeouts. He needed 101 pitches to do so.
Lifeless Since 2021
Despite the modest deficit, the White Sox lineup showed no fight. Andrew Benintendi added his second hit of the game in the fifth with a two-out single, which would be the final hit for Chicago. Only three runners reached base for the remainder of the game after the Sox fell behind, and they came via a hit by pitch, a walk, and Benintendi's single.
In the top of the seventh, Lenyn Sosa reached second base on an error by Jays' third baseman Matt Chapman's throwing error. Sosa was the only Sox runner to reach second base after Andrew Vaughn's third-inning double. Chicago's 4-9 hitters went 0-for-21 with two walks and a strikeout. Chapman drove in the fifth and final run for Toronto with a double off reliever Keynan Middleton in the seventh.
Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt allowed just the two runs on Vaughn's double but left the game in the seventh with one out because of back soreness.
News and Notes
Prior to the game, White Sox placed Lucas Giolito on the Bereavement List and activated reliever Joe Kelly.
Pedro Grifol stated that Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada expect to begin their rehab assignments soon.
Liam Hendriks will return to the team to visit his teammates during the next homestand.
What's On Tap Next?
The White Sox will search for answers in Game 2 of the series Tuesday against Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios. Mike Clevinger will toe the rubber for the Sox. First pitch is at 6:07 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago. Sox On Tap will have the postgame show.
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