White Sox swept for fifth straight time; losing streak reaches 17

Seventeen.

That's where the White Sox’ horrendous losing streak stands after their 10-3 loss Wednesday to the visiting Kansas City Royals, a defeat capping their 17th sweep of the season, including five in a row.

The Sox are 27-84 with 20 losses in their last 21 games. They're six defeats shy of the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies' modern-day record of 23 straight defeats.

"We’re in the middle of the freaking eye of the storm here," manager Pedro Grifol said.

The Sox are circling toward the 1962 Mets' record of 120 losses in a season, on pace for 122.

Right-hander Drew Thorpe, acquired as the top prospect in the rebuild trade for Dylan Cease during spring training, gave up six earned runs on seven hits and two walks with no strikeouts in his second straight bad start following six very good ones. Thorpe's ERA climbed from 3.03 to 5.48 in his last two.

Brady Singer gave up three runs over seven innings for the Royals (60-49), who are 12-1 against the Sox this season.

Grifol, who guided the Sox to a 61-101 record last year, has fallen on even tougher times in his second season. His lineup is averaging 3.07 runs a game, the fewest by a Sox team since 1910. His bullpen is in shambles.

"It sucks," Grifol said. "I can’t ask [the players] to do anything more than they’re doing. They’re giving it their very best."

"Just keep going, because things in baseball can change from year to year, things in life can change in one second. You could be facing a storm like we are facing and the next day or week or year, you’ll be sunshine and rainbows."

That's the sound of a manager whose job could be in peril looking at the bright side. The sun hasn't shined on the Sox since they last won a game July 10, exactly three weeks ago.

Freddy Fermin homered against Thorpe and Vinnie Pasquantino homered against lefty Sammy Peralta in the Royals' four-run ninth.

The Sox traded Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech, Tommy Pham, Eloy Jimenez, Paul DeJong and Tanner Banks before Tuesday's trade deadline, further thinning a non-competitive roster. Miguel Vargas, the major league player acquired in the deals, misread Garrett Hampson's liner in the ninth, glancing off his glove for a double. Vargas is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in first two games with Sox.

"If you dwell on it too long, it will eat you up," said Andrew Benintendi, who had two hits including a double and two RBI.

"It’s not easy for anybody. Obviously [Grifol] is hearing about it every single day whether it be on TV or social media. It’s not something you want to go through. He’s kept it even-keeled, as we all have for the most part. Just got to show up and do our job."

Moncada still on hold

Yoan Moncada, whose rehab stint in Arizona for his adductor strain suffered during his 11^th game of the season was halted July 22, doesn’t seem close to returning.

“You never want a player to get on the field without him being convicted that he’s ready to play,” Grifol said.

Moncada is in the final year of his contract, and whether he plays again for the Sox remains to be seen. He’s making $25 million this season.

Robert Jr. rests

Luis Robert Jr. didn’t start after playing in 12 straight games, allowing for two days rest with Thursday’s off day.

“He’s banged up a little bit, he’s playing hard, stealing a lot of bases,” Grifol said.