The distant probability of capturing the ultimate American League wild-card spot ended for the Chicago White Sox a few hours after Wednesday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins when the Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers.
A workforce many projected to make a prolonged postseason run as an alternative will miss the playoffs for the primary time in three years.
“I think something that we missed this year was consistency,” appearing supervisor Miguel Cairo mentioned earlier than Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Twins. “Being consistent during the whole year as a team, as a unit — in the field, at-bats, defense, pitching — being consistent, this is something that I saw that we need to get better on.”
The Sox gained for the primary time in additional than per week Thursday, beating the Twins 4-3 within the sequence finale at Target Field and snapping their shedding streak at eight.
“That was a hell of a stretch we went through,” mentioned Sox starter Lucas Giolito, who allowed two runs on 4 hits with six strikeouts and three walks in 5 innings. “But at this point it’s about finishing strong. Playing for each other, just going out and having fun, being loose and being free. We did that (Thursday) and got back in the win column, and it feels good.”
Outfielder Mark Payton had two hits, one RBI and two runs. He reached second within the eighth when second baseman Nick Gordon dropped his popup in shallow proper discipline. Payton scored on a José Abreu double to proper, giving the Sox a 4-3 lead.
Abreu and third baseman Josh Harrison additionally had two hits.
“It is a relief,” Cairo mentioned. “Our bullpen did their job. Our hitters did their job, good at-bats. We did the little issues to win ballgames and it was good to see. They nonetheless care and I do know they wish to go on the market and play.
“It was nice to see (reliever Kendall) Graveman (in the eighth) and (closer Liam) Hendriks (in the ninth). When they show up, good things happen. That means we win.”
The Sox had been in a tailspin since shedding to the Cleveland Guardians 10-7 in 11 innings on Sept. 20 at Guaranteed Rate Field. They entered that three-game sequence trailing the Guardians by 4 video games within the AL Central. That defeat began the eight-game slide, which matched a season excessive.
“Honestly that series against Cleveland was the final nail in the coffin,” Giolito mentioned. “At this point, just change the goal. We have to be an above .500 team. Playing as hard as we can in the final stretch, pushing through and going into the offseason make the adjustments we have to make.”
The Guardians clinched the division title Sunday when the Sox misplaced 4-1 to the Detroit Tigers. That defeat wrapped up the workforce’s first winless homestand (0-6) of at the very least six video games since May 19-24, 1989, once they went 0-6 in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles.
“You look at how hard we were going there, trying to catch up as it was,” Sox starter Lance Lynn mentioned after Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Twins. “And then it just has kind of been a free-fall since. And that’s unfortunate. But guys were busting their tail, and when you lose that many in a row, it wears on you, especially after everything you tried to do to get back into it. We were right there and then just haven’t played well since we got pretty close.”
Cairo mentioned being eradicated gained’t change his method.
“I don’t feel any different,” Cairo mentioned. “I want to win every game. When I manage, or the coaching staff, we try to put in the best lineup and the best player available that are going to give us a chance to win.”
The Sox are 77-79 with six video games remaining — three in San Diego beginning Friday and three in opposition to the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“I’m motivated,” Cairo mentioned. “Every time I come to the sphere, I wish to win. Hopefully they keep motivated to achieve a few of their targets and on the identical time we now have 9 guys in there and they’re making an attempt to do one thing to achieve their aim, common, homers or no matter, we’re going to get an opportunity to win too.
“They are going to be concentrating on their jobs. You have nine players doing their jobs, you’ve got a chance.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com