CHICAGO _ One bad inning wiped away eight good ones.
The result: The White Sox blew a three-run, ninth-inning lead to the Pirates, losing, 6-5, Wednesday afternoon. They fell to 3-15 at home, their worst start in franchise history.
Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez is still somehow winless. He has pitched well enough in all seven starts this season to earn a "W" but drew another blank Wednesday despite throwing a career-high 71/3 innings.
Manager Rick Renteria took the baseball from him at seemingly the perfect time, after 100 pitches. Lopez got congratulatory pats from teammates on the mound, and the fans at Guaranteed Rate Field applauded his effort. Lopez reciprocated by removing his cap and tapping it with his glove.
Lopez gave up just three hits (two solo homers) while walking two and striking out six.
Renteria replaced him with lefty Jace Fry, who struck out the next two batters.
Nate Jones, though, failed to protect a 5-2 lead in the ninth.
The final blow was a two-run homer from third baseman Colin Moran, who hammered a slider 416 feet to right-center.
The Sox went down quietly in the ninth. They're 9-25.
The Sox got the bulk of their offense from Tim Anderson, who smacked a two-run homer, and Daniel Palka. The rookie right fielder went 3-for-3 with a homer, two singles, an intentional walk and his first career stolen base.
