The Chicago White Sox on Friday finally ended their brutal 14-game losing streak — but not before making one more boneheaded mistake for good measure.
The White Sox were up 7-2 over the Boston Red Sox with the bases empty and two outs in the top of the 9th at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Ill. White Sox reliever Jonathan Cannon got Red Sox batter Ceddanne Rafaela to fly out to left.
White Sox announcer John Schriffen sounded more than ready to pronounce the losing streak dead. But left fielder Duke Ellis dropped what should have been a routine final out to end the game.
“This one out to left. This could be it! And it’s dropped by Ellis. So premature excitement as the game continues,” Schriffen said on the NBC Sports broadcast.
You really can't make this up pic.twitter.com/nLE5Ysly8i
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 8, 2024
Ellis came in as a defensive substitute for Corey Julks in the 8th inning and botched the only catchable ball hit in his direction. The fans audibly gasped and then booed after Ellis’ drop.
The error was a stark reminder of the White Sox’s on-field futility throughout the past several weeks.
Red Sox outfielder Jaren Duran mercifully grounded out a few pitches later.
The Royals walk it off after starting the game down 8-0! pic.twitter.com/X0EbyPbIfY
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 8, 2024
The White Sox improved to 16-48 with the win. They’re now 17.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot and 25 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central lead.
