DETROIT — The stretch of 17 games in 17 days is nearing an end for the Chicago White Sox.
“I think we’re all ready for an off day,” left fielder Andrew Benintendi said with a chuckle Saturday afternoon.
The span, which began Aug. 22 against the Minnesota Twins at Rate Field, wraps up Sunday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
It has been productive for the Sox, who were 9-6 through 15 games of the period.
“It’s been a long stretch, but it’s been good,” Benintendi said. “Guys have stepped in when guys need a day and have produced. We’ve been swinging it well, we’ve been pitching well.
“It’s one of those things where you’re ready for a break, but it’s almost like (let’s) ride it out.”
The Sox entered Saturday’s game against the Tigers riding a season-high six-game winning streak.
“We’ve seen different stretches, this last one we’re on with really good baseball and some good results,” manager Will Venable said before the game. “Before that it was five straight that we had lost, but I thought we played OK, obviously not our best baseball. But I feel like we’ve played well kind of consistently through this 17-game stretch with different results at the end, but the guys have continued to come to the ballpark every day.
“These guys are running on fumes right now as everybody is in the league especially with 17 straight, late-travel nights, all those things. And you wouldn’t know it by the way they come to the ballpark and have been playing. Just really proud of the group for really grinding through what has been the most challenging time of the year.”
The Sox have had come-from-behind victories in all six wins, a franchise-record streak.
“It’s huge,” Benintendi said. “We’re talking about momentum all the time. A couple of times these last few games where we’ve gone down and have scored right away. Get the momentum back on our side, hopefully the pitcher can get us back in the dugout and get us back to hitting as quick as possible and just keep pouring it on.
“That’s something we haven’t done the last few years and guys have been here a little bit longer now, have played a little longer and have been able to capitalize on those situations.”
It’s the team’s first six-game winning streak since May 2-8, 2022.
“That just goes back to the young guys bringing energy,” reliever Jordan Leasure said Saturday. “Last year, we’d get down and you kind of feel like you’re out. This year, we never really feel like we’re out of a game. It makes it a lot more fun to be a part of.”
The Sox are averaging 7.3 runs per game during the winning streak.
“It’s been consistent,” Benintendi said. “Guys one through nine are putting good at-bats together. Might not necessarily get a hit, but moving runners, playing just fundamental baseball. Hitting in situations and getting the job done. Obviously putting the ball over the fence too.
“It’s been fun. Been putting up runs. When we’re getting five at-bats a game, it’s usually a good sign.”
Benintendi and Colson Montgomery homered in Friday’s 7-5 victory.
“I think the thing that stands out for me is that it’s been such a collective effort,” Venable said. “And you use (Friday) night as a really good example of us scoring in six of the first seven frames, which means a lot of different guys were contributing in different ways. Obviously, Colson with the big swings but then you got guys like Will Robertson getting that RBI single (in the fourth inning) and busting out of the box, ended up on second base.
“I know his run didn’t score (later in the inning), but that type of play coming from all parts of our roster is how you string together six wins in a row. These guys have been working toward that all year, done a great job and really proud of how connected they are out there and playing for each other.”
Friday’s game also had a big hit of a different variety. Pitcher Shane Smith and catcher Kyle Teel collided while both going after a wild pitch in front of the plate in the fourth inning.
“Teel is fine,” Venable said. “(And I) talked to Shane Smith, I think jaw’s a little sore but he’s fine. And they both came out all right.”
Both players remained in the game, with Smith going five innings to collect the victory.
“I didn’t want to let (the collision) get in the way of (going five),” Smith said afterward.
It was another example of situations the Sox have navigated through during the 17-game stretch.
“We’ve just been showing up every day and putting in the work,” Leasure said.