DENVER — In a season of bad, that could have been really bad.
But by rallying for seven runs in the eighth inning Sunday and overcoming a three-run deficit to defeat the Rockies 10-5, the struggling White Sox avoided a series sweep at the hands of a team in their class among the worst in the majors.
Lenyn Sosa hit a three-run home run and Oscar Colas and Yoan Moncada had two-run doubles in the big eighth. Andrew Benintendi and Andrew Vaughn each had three hits, with Vaughn connecting for his 16th homer.
Still, losing two of three left the Sox 26 games below .500 (49-75) with 38 games left. They will have to finish 14-24 to avoid the embarrassment of their second 100-loss season in the last six.
The difference between this season and 2018 is that these Sox set out to win. In 2018, they were rebuilding for a contention window that was supposed to be in full bloom now.
No wonder chairman Jerry Reinsdorf reportedly is talking with people in the organization to determine whether changes will be made in the front office and coaching staff after the season.
A 7-21 start under first-year manager Pedro Grifol spelled doom, and general manager Rick Hahn dealt Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Joe Kelly, Kendall Graveman, Keynan Middleton and Jake Burger for prospects at the trade deadline three months later.
Grifol is pushing the Sox to finish strong, a tough task with the significant roster changeover, but he said as recently as Friday that the vibe around the team is better.
Take that for what it’s worth.
‘‘I don’t see it, I feel it,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘In the energy in the dugout, clubhouse, on the plane. These guys are close. They’re getting closer. There is a chemistry and a culture we want to create and continue to create, and [we’re] seeing some of it. It’s going to take a little time, but I’m feeling it.’’
Perhaps. But the Sox have lost six of their last eight games as they head home to play the Mariners, who have won six in a row and are coming off a sweep of the Astros.
In Colorado, the Sox were pounded 14-1 on Friday and 11-5 on Saturday before salvaging the victory Sunday.
‘‘I think we’re fighting; it’s not lackadaisical by any means in there,’’ said Sox starter Dylan Cease, who allowed five runs and needed 105 pitches to get through 4‰ innings. ‘‘We’re still grinding. A lot of guys are trying to figure out the major-league game and how to adjust to it and solidify themselves. We have a lot of guys playing really hard.’’
Grifol got defensive when he was asked Saturday about the Sox’ energy after their second loss of the series. On Sunday, he said: ‘‘It was good to see the guys battle. It’s a good group in there. They look out for each other, root for each other and fight for each other. Sometimes it doesn’t go our way, but I like what they’re doing in there.’’
Veteran infielder Elvis Andrus, echoing some teamwide frustration with the umpiring crew throughout the weekend, stood up for Luis Robert Jr. during an at-bat, disputing a low pitch that was called a strike. He was ejected.
‘‘We were confident all the way through,’’ Colas said through a translator. ‘‘As everybody says, the game doesn’t end until the 27th out.’’
Cease (4.50 ERA) knows it’s important for him to get closer to his 2022 Cy Young-caliber form down the stretch. He felt OK about this outing.
‘‘I felt like I attacked with my stuff and just didn’t get good results,’’ he said.
‘‘The jump in velocity and being more consistent in the strike zone. I think the process is good. Today the results weren’t great, but I still feel that I’m trending in a good direction.’’
