3 Takeaways After White Sox Blow Lead, Fail to Capitalize on Great Sean Burke Game

The Chicago White Sox lost to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, 5-4 in extras, despite another great Sean Burke outing. Even worse, the White Sox choked a 4-0 lead.

Let's talk about it.

Sean Burke Shuts Down Reds

Aug 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable (1) relieves starting pitcher Sean Burke (59) during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sean Burke had a 1.74 ERA in his last seven games going into this one. He has been on absolute fire of late and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. Once again, he did not disappoint. In seven innings, Burke gave up just one run, striking out eight with three hits and no walks allowed. The only run he allowed was a solo home run to Eugenio Suárez.

Burke's command was once again flawless. He put his pitches wherever he wanted them. While his fastball wasn't exactly up there in velocity like we're used to seeing, he was able to get it by hitters, getting up to 97 mph on his final pitch of the outing. His curveball looked especially good and generated lots of swings and misses. After an outing against the Boston Red Sox that he'd rather forget, Burke bounced back in a huge way.

However, it was not meant to be.

Will Venable's Different Lineup Works Early, Fails Late

Aug 9, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Brenton Doyle (7) celebrates in the dugout after scoring against then Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

From the first pitch of the game, you probably thought this game was going to go Chicago's way. And it was supposed to go that way on Pope Night, right? In the bottom of the first, leadoff hitter Brenton Doyle connected on a first-pitch sinker by Reds starter Nick Lodolo and took it 415 ft (106.6 mph off the bat).

It was an odd decision on paper to put Doyle at the leadoff spot, but with Chase Meidroth injured, it had to be done. With Doyle having a home run in his career against Lodolo before this game, it was a no-brainer for Venable, and it worked out for the White Sox early.

In the second inning, the home run parade would continue with an Edgar Quero solo blast, something the young catcher needed desperately to boost his confidence amid a bad slump and a couple of demotions.

Miguel Vargas would lead off the fourth inning with a solo blast of his own. Sam Antonacci would double in Randal Grichuk to make the game 4-0. However, the bullpen would blow the game, and the offense would fail to make things happen late, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Bullpen Struggles

Jul 11, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Bryan Hudson (60) pitches against the Athletics during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After Burke left the game, the floodgates opened. A difficult eighth inning for Bryan Hudson would see the White Sox lose the lead. Hudson failed to record a single out, giving up three hits and three runs.

Grant Taylor would come into the game to try to shut down any hope of the Reds coming back. However, he would fail to strand the inherited runners, struggling with control. Sean Newcomb would let the ghost runner score in extras, and that was all she wrote for Chicago.

The White Sox will attempt to even the series on Wednesday with Luis Castillo on the mound.

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