ATLANTA -- The feel in the White Sox clubhouse following an 11-10 loss to the Braves on Tuesday night at Truist Park was understandably dour, overall frustrated and bordering on anger.
Atlanta trailed by a 10-4 margin after six innings, marking the second straight White Sox offensive outburst, producing 23 runs on 30 hits total -- and for the second straight night, the Braves rallied. Despite a handful of miscues or miscalculations from the host squad, Atlanta’s comeback was completed against four White Sox relievers.
But anyone who thinks the South Siders are in this rebuilding 2025 season for the learning experience and not looking for the ultimate success should take a listen to the postgame comments on the heels of Tuesday’s disappointment.
“This team plays the game for the right reasons,” said designated hitter Kyle Teel, who homered for a second straight night, drove in four runs and has six hits in two games. “I certainly play the game for the right reason. I’m coming out here every day to win. After losses like this, you kind of see in the clubhouse guys are frustrated and that’s a good thing. It means we care.”
“We know we can play good ball. I don’t think tonight reflects what we are as a team,” said starting pitcher Shane Smith of the White Sox biggest blown lead of the season. “It just sucks all the way around. People are [ticked] off.”
Smith was in line for the victory, despite allowing a two-run home run in the first inning to Michael Harris II and a two-run blast in the fourth to Jurickson Profar. But the All-Star made it through six frames for the first time since June 10, topping 100 pitches (101) for the first time in his career, and the offense gave him plenty of support.
A three-run third was punctuated by Teel’s two-out, two-run double, while Luis Robert Jr. delivered a bases-clearing three-run double during a five-run fifth two pitches after getting the call on a 2-2 checked swing. When Teel’s home run raised the lead to six in the sixth, the White Sox looked in control.
White Sox manager Will Venable credited the Braves for their second straight night of late fight. He also put the blame upon his shoulders for the bullpen shortcomings, a group allowing 11 combined runs during the first two games in Atlanta. The White Sox lost for the first time since Sept. 5, 2023 in Kansas City when leading by six runs at any point during a game. They had a 17-0 record in that instance this season.
“It’s my job to put these guys in position to succeed and just haven’t been able to do it the last two nights. So that’s on me,” Venable said. “Reflect on what we could have done better from my end.
“Our group of arms out there in the bullpen have done a great job all year. The Braves’ offense just continues to come at you. Makes it really hard on you. Two nights in a row we were just not able to get outs late in the games.”
Catcher Edgar Quero looked as if he saved the victory by picking off Vidal Brujan at first with runners on first and second, ending a five-run seventh for the Braves and keeping Chicago’s lead at 10-9. Harris, the hottest hitter in the Braves['] lineup, also bunted with the bases loaded and nobody out in the eighth against Tyler Alexander, leading to a forceout at a force at the plate.
One out later, Drake Baldwin delivered on a 2-0 sweeper from Steven Wilson to drive home the game-winning runs on his single falling in front of right fielder Mike Tauchman’s diving attempt.
“After the play that I made on first base, and after his bunt, I thought we were gonna win the game like easy,” said Quero, who recorded his Major League-leading fifth catcher’s pickoff, with the White Sox catchers leading the Majors with eight total this season. “I thought, ‘OK.’ I thought they [messed] up.”
Tuesday’s loss dropped the White Sox to 45-81, representing their fourth straight season at .500 or below since winning the American League Central in ‘21. Winning is not always as much of a priority as development in the midst of rebuilds, but with the decided in-season growth shown by this group, losing no longer is palatable for the White Sox.
“We did a lot of good things. Hit the ball really well. And sometimes it just happens,” Teel said. “I don’t think anyone is happy about this. This stinks. You just have to think what’s next. We have a game tomorrow and that’s where we are focused.”