D-backs fall to White Sox 7-3 on June 26 as Lenyn Sosa's two homers sink Arizona. Despite the loss, GM Mike Hazen declares the team will be buyers.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating finale in the Windy City. Despite an early jolt from Josh Naylor, the Diamondbacks fell 7-3 to the White Sox, undone by a power surge from an unlikely source. But as the dust settled on a tough series loss, the biggest news of the day came from the front office, where General Manager Mike Hazen sent a clear message to the team and its fans: We're not backing down.
We're going to take our shots and try to win.
Things started perfectly. Josh Naylor crushed his 10th home run of the season in the first inning, a two-run laser that gave Arizona an immediate 2-0 lead. It felt like the D-backs were poised to take the series. But the momentum shifted quickly. White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa, in a career performance, launched two homers and drove in four runs, single-handedly powering Chicago's offense. Starter Slade Cecconi battled but only lasted four innings, surrendering four runs. The D-backs offense couldn't keep pace, managing just one more run on a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. RBI single in the eighth.
Once Cecconi departed, the spotlight turned to the bullpen, and the results weren't pretty. The relief corps allowed three more runs over the final four frames, unable to stop the bleeding as Chicago racked up 13 total hits. Today's performance was a stark reminder of the team's biggest question mark. In a tight playoff race, a reliable bullpen isn't a luxury; it's a necessity, and right now, the consistency just isn't there.
Perhaps sensing the fan frustration after the loss, GM Mike Hazen reiterated the team's aggressive stance for the upcoming trade deadline. Despite the team's 41-39 record and fourth-place standing in the NL West, Hazen made it clear the Diamondbacks intend to be buyers. Citing the players' effort and the desire to capitalize on their window, he emphasized a commitment to improving the roster for a postseason push. This declaration turns up the heat, connecting the on-field struggles, particularly in the bullpen, directly to the front office's next moves.
So while the loss to the White Sox stings, it also brings the team's needs into sharp focus. With the GM's public declaration to be 'buyers,' all eyes now turn to what moves will be made to bolster this roster. The D-backs have the heart and the core pieces, but today's game proved that reinforcements are needed. As the trade deadline inches closer, the pressure is on not just to win games, but for the front office to deliver on its promise to take a shot at glory.
