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The Chicago White Sox have underperformed in the 2023 season, posting a 38-54 record as we near the All-Star break. An at-bat from designated hitter Eloy Jimenez summed up those struggles perfectly.
The slugger went down on three straight pitches, walking out of the box as the final pitch crossed home plate. The embarrassing strikeout has now gone viral on social media.
Chicago entered the year as preseason favorites to win the AL Central, boasting +138 odds at the sportsbooks alongside the defending champion Guardians.
Unfortunately, they’d end the first month of the season on a 10-game losing streak to get off to a 7-21 start. As a result, they’ve spent the majority of the year at least 10 games below .500.
The final game before the All-Star break was the perfect summation of the year thus far. The White Sox blew a one-run lead against the Cardinals in the ninth inning then lost in the 10th.
At one point in the contest, designated hitter Eloy Jimenez stepped up to the dish and went down in embarrassing fashion.
In his first at-bat, Jimenez fouled off a pair of pitches to fall down in the count 0-2. Instead of offering at a third pitch, he walked out of the batter’s box with the delivery on its way.
The off-speed pitch sailed right down the middle, and the DH continued his walk to the dugout.
Dude just gave up lmao pic.twitter.com/lt3OkjUoNj
— Jacob (@CardinalsReek) July 9, 2023
Viewers quickly reacted on social media.
One person wrote, “Eloy Jimenez started his All-Star break early.”
Another said, “This is embarrassing.”
— alex (@highIightheaven) July 9, 2023
It appeared that Jimenez tried to call time, but the umpire didn’t grant it. Others hinted that the pitcher started his wind up without allowing the batter to get ready.
The three-pitch strikeout got the White Sox day off to a rough start, and their luck wouldn’t improve over the remainder of the contest.
Chicago now enters the All-Star break losers of seven of its last nine games.