The Chicago White Sox tied the American League record for consecutive losses Monday night, dropping their 21st straight game 5-1 to the Oakland Athletics, and making history for all the wrong reasons.

Despite a spirited debut by Ky Bush, who pitched a mixed bag of four innings with five walks and three strikeouts, the White Sox extended their historic losing streak, now echoing the Baltimore Orioles' 1988 slump. Meanwhile, Oakland's JP Sears made sure Chicago's misery continued, effectively shutting down their feeble offense. With their last win evaporating into a distant memory of July 10, the White Sox now teeter dangerously close to challenging the Phillies’ 1961 record of 23 consecutive losses.

The record-tying effort on Monday left fans wondering if they were witnessing history or simply enduring another chapter in what has been an abysmal stretch for the White Sox. Manager Pedro Grifol, whose expressions have ranged from hopeful to beleaguered over this period, now finds himself on the brink of a different kind of baseball immortality.

"It's tough. We go out there every day trying to find a way to win, but... it just hasn't clicked," Grifol said in a post-game interview. "Maybe we should start wearing our socks inside out for luck, because we're looking for anything to turn this around."

The game itself was a microcosm of the White Sox's recent woes. Ky Bush, making his major league debut, showed flashes of potential but ultimately faltered, allowing three runs on just two hits over four innings. His five walks and three strikeouts did little to inspire confidence, offering free passes to an Oakland lineup eager to take any advantage. If there’s a silver lining, at least he didn't hit anyone with a pitch!

Chicago's lone spark came in the fourth inning, when Andrew Vaughn hit a one-out double, and Andrew Benintendi followed with a two-out RBI single, plating the only run for the White Sox. Baserunners have proved as elusive as wins for Chicago lately, and Monday was no exception.

Oakland's JP Sears ensured that single run would be all the White Sox could muster, pitching seven strong innings and giving up just three hits. His efficient control made Chicago's lineup look lost, striking out five while only walking one. It seems Sears might have misplaced a 'Hitters Welcome' sign at home plate.

The Athletics capitalized on the White Sox's erratic pitching. The three runs off Ky Bush were crucial in setting the tone for Oakland's victory. Oakland later secured additional runs to finalize the score at 5-1. Ky Bush was charged with three runs on just two hits over four innings with five walks and three strikeouts. It seems like the White Sox's pitching staff might need a GPS the way they're losing direction!

Sears himself sounded almost apologetic for dashing Chicago's hopes of breaking their streak: 'You never want to see a team go through that, but at the same time, you have to compete. We did our job tonight. Maybe next time, they'll catch a break - but not on our watch!'

The previous American League record for consecutive losses was set by the Baltimore Orioles in 1988, a dubious benchmark the White Sox have now matched. Baltimore's string of futility lasted from September 4 to October 2, 1988, dark days that still live in infamy for Orioles fans.

While the Orioles' record shared misery has become a cautionary fable for franchises, the Phillies hold the overall major league record for consecutive losses at 23, set during the 1961 season. As the White Sox's string of defeats inches closer to this notorious milestone, fans and pundits alike wonder if Philadelphia's ignominious record might finally fall.

For now, the White Sox are searching for answers in all corners of the locker room and beyond. Veterans and newcomers alike are struggling to find a rhythm, one that has so far evaded them since summer began. They might want to check under the bench—they could be hiding there.

"We just need that one game, that one break to turn this thing around—baseball's a game of streaks, both hot and cold," said Andrew Vaughn. "Right now, we're on the wrong side of it."

The emotional toll isn’t lost on the fans, who are used to baseball being a rollercoaster, but not quite this dramatic. Some die-hards have resorted to bringing huge banners, voicing both support and frustration in their own unique ways.

Game after game, the routine feels chillingly familiar: show up, take the field, eventually succumb to another loss. It's like they're stuck in a never-ending sequel nobody asked for. It’s a cycle that has demoralized the team and left them chasing shadows.

"Every day, it's like you're waiting for something to change," reflected Grifol. "But we're professionals, and we'll keep grinding. This streak will end. It has to," he added, sounding like a man both hopeful and resigned. He then joked, "Maybe we're waiting for divine intervention for it to stop!"

As the White Sox prepare to face the Athletics again, the weight of history hangs precariously over them. Whether they will rise to the occasion or continue their plunge remains uncertain. But for now, Chicago waits with bated breath, hoping their beloved team's next headline involves breaking this spell rather than another unwanted record.