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Mistakes and Missed Chances Sink White Sox in Baltimore
Photo: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Mistakes and Missed Chances Sink White Sox in Baltimore

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net  |  By Besnik Zekiri  |  Last updated May 30, 2025 9:18 PM ET

As we've seen more than a handful of times this season, the Chicago White Sox followed an offensive outburst, their win in the series finale against the New York Mets, with another game where the bats went into sleep mode.

Chicago didn't register an extra-base hit until the ninth and was shut down by Orioles starter Zach Eflin in a 2-1 loss Friday night in Baltimore.

The Sox made fundamental mistakes in the sixth inning that led to the deciding run, mistakes they can't afford in any game, but especially not when the offense is nonexistent. 

Mistakes and Missed Chances in the Sixth

After a base hit by Adley Rutschman and a double to right by Gunnar Henderson, Chase Meidroth, with the infield playing in,  made a diving stop to keep the ball in the infield. 

With the bases loaded, Lenyn Sosa got the force out at home on Ryan O'Hearn's grounder for the first out. Luis Urias' sac fly made it 1-0.

With runners at the corners, catcher Edgar Quero tried to catch O'Hearn stealing second, but his high throw allowed Ryan Mountcastle to steal home on the back end of the play.

That sequence summed up the night: missed execution and preventable damage.

White Sox Threaten But Fail to Deliver

The Sox had their chances. In the sixth inning, Quero and Sosa opened with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with no outs. Josh Rojas squared to bunt, and Quero took off for third, but Rojas didn't get the bunt down, and the O's caught the Sox catcher heading to third. Rojas flied out, and Meidroth grounded out to end the inning.

The Sox again put runners on first and second with one out in the seventh, but Luis Robert Jr. and Joshua Palacios struck out to end the inning. 

In the ninth, the South Siders finally showed signs of life. Mike Tauchman belted a one-out double, and with two outs, Andrew Benintendi followed with a double of his own to get the Sox on the board and cut the lead to one. Robert Jr. then drew a walk, putting the go-ahead run on first. 

But Orioles closer Félix Bautista slammed the door, striking out Palacios to end the game.

Steady Burke Overshadowed 

Chicago used the opener strategy, sending out lefty Jared Shuster to face the first five batters. He hit a batter and gave up a hit, a leadoff knock in the second inning. That's when Sean Burke took over and gave the Pale Hose six solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and a walk. 

Dan Altavilla handled the eighth, allowing a hit while fanning two.

News and Notes

  • Chicago re-signed Altavilla to a one-year deal after releasing him just two days earlier.

What's On Tap Next?

The Sox will try to even the series Saturday afternoon in Baltimore. Davis Martin will take the mound against Orioles righty Dean Kremer. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 PM CT on CHSN.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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