Summary:
- The Chicago White Sox fell 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
- Defensive miscues and a missed double-play opportunity helped the Royals walk off victorious.
- Chicago continues to struggle, holding the worst record in the AL amid another rough season.
The Chicago White Sox don’t seem to be out of new, almost creative ways to lose baseball games in 2025, continuing a trend that haunted them through a historically disastrous 2024 season.
On Tuesday night, they delivered what might be their most cringe-worthy defeat of the young season, falling 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals in a game that felt more like a blooper reel than a professional sporting event.
Everything unraveled in the bottom of the ninth. With a slim lead and a man on base, reliever Cam Booser coaxed a harmless-looking pop-up off the bat of Royals outfielder Drew Waters.
However, what should’ve been a routine turned into chaos when second baseman Chase Meidroth completely misjudged it. Instead of settling into his glove, the ball bounced off Meidroth’s head and trickled into the outfield.
The White Sox fumble away a win after a fly ball bounces off Chase Meidroth's head. pic.twitter.com/YwGF33wAHQ
— Michael "Lux" Farina (@TheMFinKC) May 7, 2025
That bizarre mishap gave baserunner Mark Canha just enough time to move up to second, and from there, it was like watching a slow-motion collapse.
I just missed it. It’s a ball that’s got to be caught
commented a visibly upset Meidroth at the end of the evening.
Heading into Tuesday’s game, Meidroth carried an impressive .396 on-base percentage, and he still remains a promising part of the White Sox’s long-term rebuild. Despite the costly mistake, the organization continues to believe in the infielder’s potential.
Royals catcher Freddy Fermin followed with a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. Kyle Isbel popped out, displaying one of the few moments of competence for Chicago, thanks only to the infield fly rule.
Then came another potential escape route. Jonathan India hit a ground ball tailor-made for a double play, but shortstop Jacob Amaya’s flip to second was just wide enough to pull Meidroth off the bag, tie the game, and send one out.
Moments later, Bobby Witt Jr. sent a deep fly ball to center field. The White Sox couldn’t reel it in, signaling game over.
This wasn’t just a tough loss, but peak White Sox. “Embarrassing” barely scratches the surface, but in the grand scope of recent Sox history, it somehow feels par for the course.
After all, this is the same franchise that once lost a game on an infield fly rule interference call and suffered a walk-off collision between two of its own outfielders.
Chicago owns the American League’s worst record, saved from the overall MLB basement only by the hapless Colorado Rockies.
The team currently trails the Red Sox (30) with 27 errors and is 3-15 on the road, with 14 lost games in which it led at one point.