White Sox interim manager embarrassed by latest loss: 'That's not baseball'

Chicago White Sox interim manager Miguel Cairo was not happy with his team following Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers, which officially ended its chances of winning the American League Central.

"Today was the worst one. ... That's not acceptable. That's not baseball. That's not what the Chicago White Sox are about. It was terrible," Cairo said, according to The Associated Press.

He added: "You got to come back Tuesday (against the Minnesota Twins). ... So they better bring some effort. It was kind of embarrassing."

The White Sox lost their sixth consecutive game despite starter Dylan Cease tossing six scoreless innings. Reynaldo Lopez and Kendall Graveman combined to allow four earned runs over 1 2/3 innings after Cease departed.

Chicago's offense only managed six hits against Tigers left-hander Tyler Alexander and three relievers. The White Sox scored just six runs across their three losses against Detroit.

"If you watch the game, that was bad, besides Cease (who) pitched really good and kept us in the game," Cairo said.

It's been a whirlwind campaign for the 76-77 White Sox after they won the AL Central in 2021. Manager Tony La Russa stepped aside in late August due to a heart issue and won't return this season.

Additionally, slugger Eloy Jimenez and All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson have missed big chunks of the season due to injuries, while Luis Robert, Yoan Moncada, and Lucas Giolito have underperformed.

The White Sox remain alive in the AL wild-card race but sit 7 1/2 games back of the Seattle Mariners with nine games remaining on their schedule.