White Sox win 20th consecutive loss, longest MLB skid in 36 years originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
The pitiful Chicago White Sox lost its 20th consecutive game on Sunday, the longest major league skid in 36 years and one short of the American League record, as Chris Flexen was chased early in the 13-7 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
Royce Lewis hit a three-run homer off Flexen in a six-run second inning that gave Minnesota an 8-0 lead. The White Sox (27-87) rallied to pull within 10-7 in the eighth, but could get no closer.
Chicago franchise’s record losing streak is longest in the big leagues since 1988 Baltimore Orioles lost 21 consecutive games – the AL mark – to start the season. The NL record is held in 1961 Philadelphia Phillieswho lost 23 in a row.
The major league low belongs to the 1889 Louisville Colonels, an American Association team that suffered a 26-game slump during a 27-111 season.
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol remains under attack as the team’s losing streak approaches record territory, and its future was among the topics discussed in a private meeting ahead of the club’s current series against the Minnesota Twins.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Grifol met with owner Jerry Reinsdorf and GM Chris Getz following Wednesday’s loss to the Kansas City Royals for a “long private meeting” during which his future was discussed.
The team “ultimately decided not to fire him,” but Nightengale reports the team may still do so before the end of the season.
Grifol has played 275 games for the White Sox, with an 88-187 record in those contests. His career .320 winning percentage is the worst in White Sox history for any full-time manager.
Next, the White Sox head to Oakland for a three-game series starting Monday night against the Athletics, who are in last place in the AL West.
