White Sox remain at 120 losses and tied with '62 Mets, rallying past Angels 3-2

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox remained tied with the 1962 New York Mets for the modern major league record of 120 losses in a season, rallying to score three runs in the eighth inning and beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Andrew Benintendi hit a tiebreaking, two-out single to help the White Sox (37-120) stave off infamy for at least one more night.

Fans voiced their displeasure with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf by chanting “Sell the team!” throughout the game and booed when Los Angeles’ Eric Wagaman grounded out to end it, apparently unhappy they didn’t get to witness the record-breaking loss.

“It’s been a long season," Benintendi said. “I think that people here tonight were maybe trying to see history. But they’re going to have to wait one more day. Maybe.”

Jonathan Cannon pitched three-hit ball over six scoreless innings for Chicago. The White Sox have five games left — two more against the Angels and three at Detroit — to set a record no team wants.

Chicago had never dropped more than 106 games prior to this year. The White Sox passed that mark with plenty of time to spare when the New York Mets beat them on Sept. 1.

Chicago tied the American League record of 119 losses at San Diego on Saturday and matched the ’62 Mets the following day. But with a chance to lose more games than any team since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders went 20-134, the White Sox rallied in unlikely fashion. They were 0-94 when trailing after seven innings.

Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the seventh when Kevin Pillar led off with a walk and Wagaman lined a double to right-center against Gus Varland. Jack López connected in the eighth against Prelander Berroa (1-0) for his first career homer to make it 2-0.

Hunter Strickland (3-2) gave up back-to-back doubles to Zach DeLoach and pinch-hitter Bryan Ramos with one out in the eighth to cut it to 2-1. He walked Lenyn Sosa, putting runners on first and second before Brock Burke retired Nicky Lopez on a fly to right.

The White Sox then tied it when second baseman Jack López got twisted around and was unable to catch Luis Robert Jr.’s high pop. Robert was credited with an infield hit. Benintendi then lined his go-ahead single to left.

“I just dropped it,” López said. “It sucks. It cost Jack a win, Burkie a save, Strickland a hold. Just a tough one to swallow.”

Cannon came through with another terrific outing after beating Los Angeles last week. Justin Anderson worked the ninth for his first save.

Jack Kochanowicz pitched three-hit ball over seven innings for Los Angeles (63-94), which moved within one loss of the franchise record held by the 1968 and 1980 teams.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: The Angels have not completely ruled out 3B Anthony Rendon (oblique strain) playing again this season, though manager Ron Washington indicated it's unlikely. “Still working though that," Washington said. “We haven’t made a total decision on that yet, but we’re still working through it. I think you make a common-sense deduction, you can answer that one yourself.” Rendon has not played since Sept. 7, the third time in yet another interrupted season that the 34-year-old has been sidelined by injury. ... OF Jordyn Adams was out of the lineup for a fourth straight game with right knee soreness.

UP NEXT

White Sox RHP Davis Martin (0-5, 4.27 ERA) looks to get some payback for a loss at Los Angeles last week and pick up his first win since 2022. LHP José Suarez (1-2, 6.08) makes his third start and 22nd appearance for the Angels.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Angels' Jack López misses a pop-up by Chicago White Sox's Luis Robert Jr. during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Los Angeles Angels Mickey Moniak steals second base as Chicago White Sox's Nicky Lopez reaches for the throw during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward steals second base as Chicago White Sox's Nicky Lopez reaches for the throw during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago White Sox's Lenyn Sosa, left, celebrates with Luis Robert Jr., right, after a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago White Sox's Lenyn Sosa scores on Andrew Benintendi's RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Chicago White Sox's Andrew Benintendi hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Liberty have been focused on bringing the first championship to the franchise after falling just short last year.

They moved one step closer to that goal as Sabrina Ionescu tied a franchise playoff record with 36 points to help the Liberty beat the Atlanta Dream 91-82 on Tuesday night and advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.

“The ultimate goal is what it is. But, you know, it’s every single game is a championship game to get to that final goal,” Ionescu said. “And obviously our goal is to not lose at home. So this was really important for us to come out, take these two and have a couple days off and kind of rest, recharge and get ready for whatever it is we’re going to play.”

Jonquel Jones added 20 points and 13 rebounds for the top-seeded Liberty, who swept the best-of-three series and will face Las Vegas in the next round that begins Sunday in New York. The Aces beat the Liberty in the WNBA Finals last season.

“We have unfinished business,” Jones said.

The Liberty took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter and the teams went back and forth before a layup by Courtney Vandersloot made it 75-72 with 5:41 left and started a 12-2 run. Breanna Stewart followed later in the spurt by swooping in for an offensive tip-in. It was her first points since the second quarter.

Leonie Fiebich, who scored 21 points in the opening game, then had a three-point play to extend the advantage to 82-74 with 4:11 left. She then hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to give New York a double-digit advantage for the first time in the game.

“It had a little bit of everything,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said of the run.

Atlanta couldn't get closer than seven the rest of the way.

“I don’t think it was anything they did different,” Rhyne Howard said of New York's stretch run. “We fought pretty hard, laid it out there. Coach told us to not go home with any regrets and we did that.”

Allisha Gray and Howard did all they could to try and stave off elimination. Gray finished with 26 points and Howard added 19. She also had a massive block on Stewart on a fast break in the third quarter.

“We watched it four or five times before we came in here (to the postgame presser),” Howard said smiling.

Stewart was impressed with the play by Howard

“She timed it really well,” the Liberty star said. “She got the block. I got the win.”

Unlike Game 1, when New York jumped all over Atlanta, the Dream got off to a quick start behind Gray. They led 28-19 as Gray had 14 points in the opening 10 minutes, hitting all five of her shots, including four 3-pointers.

Atlanta was up 11 in the second quarter before Ionescu started hitting deep 3s. She rallied the Liberty to take a brief 40-36 lead before the Dream closed the half on a 12-3 run to go up 48-43 at the break.

Ionescu tied Cappie Pondexter for the most points by a Liberty player in the postseason. Pondexter set the mark in 2010 also against the Dream.

“I guess I should have had one more,” Ionescu said, laughing.

The game drew another sellout crowd for New York that included Olympian Gabby Thomas, singer Pharrell as well as Spike Lee and Whoopi Goldberg. Rapper Ja Rule performed at halftime.

Ionescu said she got a high five from Lee during the third quarter.

“I felt like New York was injected into me. I was like, we’re winning this,” Ionescu said.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket between Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) and Tina Charles during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) high-fives Breanna Stewart, right, as Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) looks on while Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray ducks away during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray drives past New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the first half of first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts with Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the Atlanta Dream, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the New York Liberty, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives past Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) reacts with Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the Atlanta Dream, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)