White Sox: Five Games That Defined 2016 Season
Jun 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (25) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
White Sox 78-84 record could have been much better for the 2016 season. After starting 23-10, the team tailed off into another losing season. The season was defined by five crucial games.
The Chicago White Sox finished 2016 with a losing record for the fourth consecutive season. With another disappointing season in the books, the Sox will look to have a much better result in 2017. Although the Sox ultimately finished at 78-84, they started the season with a surprising 23-10 start.
However, the Sox would quickly fade into obscurity after the month of May, and never got back to first place in the division. The Sox 2016 season was defined by a number of disappointing games, none bigger than a meltdown in Texas in early May. With the Sox hoping to reach the postseason for the first time since 2008, the Sox inability to remain competitive before the trading deadline this season was another unwelcome sight for fans.
The Sox entered the season with hopes of finally having a winning record at the end of the season. But injuries to key members of the bullpen and the outfield, ultimately exposed a severe lack of depth for the team. There were five defining games of the Sox 2016 season, and they will be mentioned over the next five slides. Hopefully for Sox fans, 2017 can have more positive defining games for next season.
May 14, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Ryan Rua (16) hits a triple against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
White Sox Blow 11-6 lead in 8th Inning Against Texas
The Sox entered its game against the Texas Rangers at 23-10 and coming off an extra inning victory in the previous game. After jumping out to an 11-6 lead, the Sox bullpen imploded in the eighth inning against the Rangers.
The Rangers scored seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Mitch Moreland started the comeback with a RBI single. Adrian Beltre would pull the Rangers closer with a sacrifice fly. This cut the Rangers deficit to 11-8. The Rangers had two outs but were still trailing by three runs at this point. The Sox could have gotten out of the inning but Austin Jackson misjudged a deep fly ball hit by Ian Desmond, this later resulted in a two-run RBI triple.
This cut Rangers deficit to 11-10. Matt Albers was still on the mound pitching throughout the Rangers comeback, and he would ultimately give up the go-ahead runs. Ryan Rua came to the plate with runners on first and third base. Rua would then hit a three-run home run to cap off the Rangers improbable comeback.
The Sox looked like they were going to win the series with an 11-6 lead in the eighth inning, but instead this would be the game that started the downhill slide for the team. The Rangers would ultimately win the series with another comeback win on May 11.
May 29, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) scores against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
White Sox Blow 6-run Lead Against Royals
The Sox were in the middle of its downward spiral when they started its three game series against the Royals on May 27. With a 27-23 record, the Sox were barely holding onto first place in the AL Central division. However, the Sox would endure one of its worst weekends in recent memory as they were unable to hold leads in any of its games against the Royals.
After blowing a 5-2 lead in the previous game against Kansas City, the Sox had perhaps its worst meltdown in franchise history on May 28. The Sox entered the bottom of the ninth with a 7-1 lead over the Royals. What happened next was hard to watch for Sox fans. The Royals would score eight run runs in the inning to cap off its biggest comeback in franchise history.
David Robertson entered the game in the ninth inning with a 7-1 lead as he was looking to get some work in after being idle for five days. Unfortunately, the rust for Robertson showed as he was unable to record more than one out. Robertson started the inning with a strikeout of Paulo Orlando. However, the Royals were able to reach base and score five runs before chasing Robertson out of the game.
Tommy Kahnle, who had no business being in this game, attempted to get the save but was unable to do so. Royals rookie Brett Eibner would hit the walk-off RBI single to cap off the team’s 8-7 comeback victory. Much like the Sox implosion against the Rangers on May 10, the team would lose its next game against Kansas City as the Royals mounted another comeback.
Jun 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (25) leaves the game against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
James Shields Has Poor Debut With White Sox
The Sox foolishly traded for Shields after he had a rough outing against the Mariners on May 31 with the Padres. In his last start for San Diego, Shields gave up 10 earned runs in 2.2 innings pitched. In his debut start with the Sox on June 8 against the Nationals, Shields lasted just two innings.
This was hard for Sox fans to watch as the team entered the game at 29-29. Shields gave up three home runs to the Nationals. The start for Shields was not only a poor debut for him with a new team, but it would become a preview of his remaining starts with the Sox for 2016. Shields would later end his 2016 season at 6-19 in arguably his worst year as a MLB starting pitcher in his career.
Next: David Robertson Burned by Pinch Hit Home Run
Jul 18, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pinch hitter Adam Lind (26) celebrates his walk-off three-run homer against Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) during the ninth inningat Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Lind Hits Pinch-Hit Home Run
Chris Sale pitched a spectacular game against the Mariners on July 18. After exiting with a 3-0 lead against Seattle, it appeared Sale would get his 15th victory of the season. However, David Robertson would blow his third save as he gave up four earned runs in the ninth inning.
The Sox who were riding a four-game losing streak to start the second half, needed this win badly. Unfortunately, Robertson would experience another meltdown and couldn’t retire Mariners pinch-hitter Adam Lind. The veteran slugger hit a three-run walk-off home run with two outs to give the Mariners the 4-3 win.
The blown save for Robertson would be his third of the season at that point. This loss was a hard pill to swallow for Sox fans, as many griped that Sale should have remained in the game. It wasn’t a bad decision to bring in Robertson as Sale had thrown 100 pitches, but Robertson is being paid to close games. Robertson’s inability to protect a 3-0 lead was maddening for Sox fans, and further illustrated just how frustrating 2016 was becoming.
Aug 3, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers J.D. Martinez (28) hits a pinch hit home run in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Sale Unable to Escape Pinch-Hit Home Run
Sale pitched another strong start against the Tigers on Aug. 3 at Comerica Park. The Sox and Tigers were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning with Sale on the mound. Detroit would counter by pinch-hitting a returning J.D. Martinez. The All-Star slugger was returning from injury and received a standing ovation from Tigers fans when he walked up to the plate.
Martinez would then hit Sale’s first pitch to him for a go-ahead home run. The home run would be all the Tigers needed as they would defeat the Sox 2-1. With the loss, the Sox record dropped to 51-56 at that point. Sale’s bid to reach 15 wins on the season would suffer and he was also burned by Martinez for the second time this season with a home run.
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