MINNEAPOLIS — The Chicago White Sox extended their team-record losing streak to 19, giving up Max Kepler’s tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning that lifted the Minnesota Twins to a 6-2 win on Saturday night.
Chicago’s losing streak is the longest since Baltimore dropped 19 in a row in August 2021.
Kepler, who entered in the fifth inning as a pinch hitter, hit his seventh home run of the season. The drive to right off Touki Toussaint (0-1) sent the Twins to their 11th win in 12 games against the White Sox this season.
Willi Castro hit a two-run single in a three-run eighth on the 13th pitch of his at-bat against John Brebbia and Brooks Lee added an RBI single.
Chicago has been outscored 118-41 during its skid and has scored three or fewer runs in 14 of 15 games since the All-Star break. At 27-86, the White Sox are on pace to finish 39-123, which would be the most losses since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders of the National League went 20-134.
Chicago has not won since July 10. The White Sox have been outscored 81-38 in the eighth inning this year.
Kepler homered three days after he was hit on the head by an attempted throw by New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez. Kepler did not play in Friday’s series opener.
Bailey Ober (11-5) won his third straight start, allowing two runs and two hits in seven innings. His last loss was to the White Sox on July 10.
White Sox starter Garrett Crochet allowed one hit in four innings, Ryan Jeffers’ solo homer in the second. Brooks Lee hit an RBI single in the fifth against Toussaint
Korey Lee hit a tying RBI triple in the fifth and Brooks Baldwin made it 2-2 with his first big league homer in the sixth.
The crowd of 38,289 marked the second sellout at Target Field this year.
MAUER HONOURED
Prior to Saturday’s game, the Twins honoured Hall of Fame inductee Joe Mauer, the catcher who spent his entire 15-year career with his hometown team. The Twins will unveil a bronze statue of Mauer outside of Target Field next year.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins shortstop Carlos Correa participated in on-field running and fielding drills as he works his way back from plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
UP NEXT
RHP Chris Flexen (2-10, 5.13 ERA) starts Sunday’s series finale for Chicago, while Minnesota counters with RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson (3-2, 3.74).
In a thrilling matchup between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox, the Twins emerged victorious with a game-winning homerun from outfielder Max Kepler. The homerun not only secured the Twins’ win but also extended the White Sox’s losing streak to a staggering 19 games.
The game started off as a close battle between the two teams, with both sides showcasing their offensive prowess. However, it was Kepler’s clutch performance in the late innings that ultimately sealed the deal for the Twins. With one swing of the bat, Kepler sent the ball soaring over the outfield fence, leaving White Sox fans stunned and Twins fans cheering in excitement.
The White Sox, on the other hand, continue to struggle as they face one of the longest losing streaks in recent memory. Despite their best efforts, they have been unable to break free from their slump and secure a much-needed win. The team will need to regroup and refocus in order to turn their season around and put an end to their losing streak.
As for the Twins, this win serves as a confidence booster and a reminder of their potential to compete at a high level. With Kepler leading the charge, the team looks poised to make a strong push towards the playoffs and continue their success throughout the rest of the season.
Overall, this matchup between the Twins and White Sox was a thrilling display of baseball talent and determination. While the Twins celebrate their victory, the White Sox will need to regroup and find a way to break free from their losing streak. Only time will tell how these two teams will fare in the remainder of the season, but one thing is for certain – baseball fans can expect more exciting matchups and nail-biting moments as the season unfolds.