Chicago White Sox: Five games that ruined the 2022 season
By Tim Healey
![Aug 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa (22) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Aug 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa (22) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/dbbe6a169f712925ef389f2aa0c277b7e745c5773e8df2eee2e211e6d672212a.jpg)
Baltimore Orioles 4, White Sox 3 – August 25, 2022
The Chicago White Sox blew a bad one to the Baltimore Orioles.
It seemed the Sox had a close win in hand. Closer Liam Hendriks had been 19 for his last 19 in saves. He had a young hitter 0-2. And then, the Sox lost.
During what most Sox fans probably thought was the final at-bat of the night, Kyle Stowers hit a foul ball.
Defensive replacement Adam Engel – who was on the roster mostly for his glove – dropped the easy popup. Shortly after, Stowers hit an 0-2 pitch over the fence for his first major league homer. The Orioles would later win when Anthony Santander had an RBI single.
The loss seemed crushing. The contending Orioles had swept the Sox in Chicago and would now take two of three at their home ballpark. Meanwhile, the Sox were also fighting for a playoff spot – but the loss to Baltimore would lead to a sweep, at home, against the terrible Diamondbacks.
Your author was watching this game on a slight delay on the DVR when he received a text from a Sox-fan friend saying “I knew that would happen”, or something to that effect. A minute later, I knew what it meant. There were way too many such moments this season.