The Chicago White Sox struck out 21 times in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians, setting a new MLB postseason record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game as they fell 2-0 and were eliminated from the playoffs.
The White Sox went 3-for-30 at the plate with no extra-base hits, and 78 percent of their outs came via strikeouts. Munetaka Murakami, along with the team’s No. 5 hitter and their two highest-paid position players, each struck out four times, both posting golden sombreros. Four other White Sox batters struck out multiple times, compounding their offensive woes. José Ramírez’s home run was the only scoring play, producing the two runs that secured the Guardians’ victory.
The 21 strikeouts surpassed the previous nine-inning postseason record, previously held by the White Sox themselves after their 19 strikeouts in Game 3 of the same series. The overall record remains with the 1996 Baltimore Orioles, who struck out 23 times in a 12-inning game against Cleveland. Across the best-of-five series, Chicago set another record with 75 total strikeouts, breaking the previous mark of 64 documented by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs. Had the series extended to seven games, the White Sox were on pace to break the all-time record of 82 strikeouts in a postseason series.
The White Sox’s strikeout problem this postseason echoes their regular-season struggles. Shortstop Colson Montgomery set the MLB single-season strikeout record with 227, and that tendency surfaced again when it mattered most.
The Guardians’ pitching staff dominated throughout Game 5. Gavin Williams started and was untouchable over five innings, striking out 12 before allowing his first hit in the sixth. Erik Sabrowski entered with the bases loaded and struck out Murakami to extinguish the largest threat. Hunter Gaddis followed, recording all four of his outs via strikeouts. Cade Smith closed the game with a five-out save, adding four more strikeouts to the total.
The Guardians’ use of their best arms in this decisive game helped them turn the tide after trailing the series 0-2. Their pitching staff will now face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS.
According to Yahoo Sports.
