The AL Central leading Chicago White Sox (44-39) began a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles Monday night. Looking nothing like the team that lost 102 games last season, this year’s version of the White Sox scored a combined six runs in the eighth and ninth innings to defeat the O’s 8-2.
With the game tied at 2 each after 7.0 innings, the bullpen failed to do its job as Manager Craig Albernaz used four relievers to pitch the last two innings of the game. Grant Wolfram (1-2) took the loss with a line of 0.2 IP, 2 R, H, K. The White Sox put the game out of reach in the ninth by scoring 4 runs off Yennier Cano. Cano allowed those four runs, 2 of which were unearned, on 4 hits in just one-third of an inning.
The unearned runs were a result of a Blaze Alexander fielding error with runners on second and third on what could have been the third out of the ninth.
The letdown in the final two innings made a strong start by Shane Baz moot. Baz threw 109 pitches (66 K’s) over 7.0 innings of work and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 4 walks, 6 strikeouts and a wild pitch thrown. He deserved better for his effort but the O’s managed just 4 hits in the game with the last of those hits coming in the sixth inning. In fact the Orioles went three-up and three-down in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. All three batters in the ninth struck out with Alexander’s strike out coming on a successful challenge that overturned a ball call.
For a second game in a row, Colton Cowser made a highlight catch in center field.
Adley Rutschman (0 for 2, 2 RBI) knocked in both of Baltimore’s runs on sacrifice flies in the first and third innings.
Gunnar Henderson (2 for 3, R, BB) doubled and scored in the first inning and added a single in the fifth.
Alexander (0 for 3, R, BB, HBP) walked and scored in the third while Jackson Holliday (1 for 3) singled in the inning as well.
Samuel Basallo (1 for 4) hit a single to center field in the sixth.
Another disappointing loss for the Orioles.
2026 Record: 39-47
Next Game: Tues. 6/30 @ 6:30 pm vs. Chicago White Sox
