SAN DIEGO – The Chicago White Sox had a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning on Sunday, and then history happened.
That tenuous lead disappeared within four batters of the San Diego Padres and the White Sox went on to lose 120 times, tying the post-1900 record set by the 1962 expansion New York Mets.
The dichotomy could not be greater.
The White Sox headed to the somber clubhouse and quietly packed for the plane home.
The Padres, who are approaching the postseason, gathered in front of the dugout to applaud the sold-out crowd of 45,197 who roared through the bottom of the eighth and then the top of the ninth to win 4-2 in the regular-season home finale on the first day of brilliant autumn. Some fans even chanted “Beat LA!” in anticipation of a huge series starting Tuesday night at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I think when you lose 120, it’s easier to brush it off but (the stink) to get past it, but that’s where we are,” veteran Andrew Benintendi said.
There has been hope for the White Sox for the longest losing streak in history, until there is no. Right-hander Sean Burke, making just his second big league start — and third appearance — was outstanding through six innings. The White Sox took the lead on two home runs off Yu Darvish, including one by Korey Lee, who grew up in northern San Diego County.
“Burke threw a really good game,” Benintendi said. “They’ve got a lot of good at-bats up and down the lineup, guys that have been playing for a long time, and if they’ve been leaders with that bullpen, it seems like it’s over now.
“So yeah, it’s (the smell).”
So many of the White Sox losses have come late in games.
“Yeah we joke about it all the time. It never looked like we were blown and the seventh, eighth, and ninth came and we were facing guys seven-eight-nine-innings every night, which is big. It’s hard to score out of the back end of the bullpen,” Benintendi said.
“Looks like we’ve been here a few times and it’s not over yet.”
With another loss in their last six games, the White Sox will hold the modern streak. He finished with three at home against the Los Angeles Angels from Tuesday night and finished with three at Detroit, which is in the hunt for the AL wild card.
The 1899 Cleveland Spiders hold the major league record for losing streak 20-134.
Interim manager Grady Sizemore did not speak for the team.
“Not a good loss,” he said. “It’s not something that we focus on. I think everyone outside the clubhouse is more interested in us. The way we play is to put this one behind us and get ready for the series back home.
Asked how the players were digesting it, Sizemore said: “We all know the situation. We know where we are now. On Tuesday, we’re ready to go and give our best.”
Said Lee: “I think if you ask all 50 or so guys (who have been on the roster this season) we’re not going to be happy about it. If you’re happy, I don’t know what you are doing here.
“I think it’s very difficult, but at the same time everyone comes here every day and gives their best.”
The catcher said the team stuck together through all the losses.
“This shows you how close we are. We talked about it earlier today. Honestly, what I hope for every day when I come here is to have the right person next to me and know that he will care for me. inside and outside, on the field and off the field.
“That’s all you can ask for. It’s a good family around us. Obviously there’s a lot of bad, but you have to take the good from every day. And the good is coming here with this group of guys and doing something that we all love to do.”
The White Sox tied the AL record of 119 losses by the 2003 Detroit Tigers on Saturday night. They lost their 20th straight road series and were swept for the 24th time this season.
