WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 Frazier hits HR, Quintana solid in Sox win By Scott Merkin and Jordan Bastian / MLB.com September 24th, 2016 CLEVELAND -- The White Sox delayed a celebration for the Indians for at least one more day. On Saturday night, lefty Jose Quintana spun a gem, Todd Frazier launched a home run and Chicago dealt Cleveland an 8-1 defeat at Progressive Field. The Indians, whose magic number to clinch the American League Central sits at two, knew Saturday would present a challenge as the Tribe employed a bullpen-day approach for its vacant fifth starter spot. The White Sox took full advantage, scoring six runs over the final five innings, and ended a six-game losing streak. They improved to 7-11 against the Indians. The White Sox snapped a streak of five straight games without a quality start, having gone 0-5 with an 11.63 ERA in that span. The second-place Tigers lost their afternoon tilt with the Royals, but Baltimore's win over the D-backs on Saturday night, combined with Cleveland's loss, postponed the Indians' opportunity to clinch a postseason berth. The Indians also slipped a half-game behind the Red Sox for the right to have home-field advantage in the AL Division Series round. "It's nice knowing that we're kind of winding this thing down," Indians catcher Chris Gimenez said. "We know we still have a few wins to get, but I think the excitement and the anticipation is all there. There's no extra pressure. We just know we have to continue to win. Honestly, too, if and when we do clinch, we still have the best record in the league on our minds. "That's something that's definitely within reach. We just have to continue to go out and play and win and let the chips fall where they may." Quintana picked up his 13th win of the year after holding the Indians to one run on six hits in six innings, in which the lefty struck out two and walked three. Cleveland ended the game 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, with the lone breakthrough coming via an RBI single by Rajai Davis in the second. Righty Cody Anderson started for the Indians, but worked just two innings in what turned into the seventh game this season in which Cleveland utilized at least eight arms. Chicago struck for two runs in the first and continued to tack on throughout the night. Frazier hit his 39th home run in the sixth, and the White Sox struck for four runs in an error-filled eighth. "It was [challenging] tonight," Indians manager Terry Francona said of using all relievers. "it takes a little bit of, I don't want to say the wind out of the sails, but it's a lot of moving parts. And then, we fall behind. I think it makes for a long night for the position players. I get it." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Quick strike: The White Sox jumped to a 2-0 lead just two batters into the game, putting Cleveland behind at the outset of a bullpen day. Facing Anderson, who was only penciled in for a couple innings, Tim
Anderson led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Melky Cabrera. Jose Abreu then connected for an RBI single to push Chicago in front by two. The Tribe dropped to 29-45 this year when the opposition scores first. Milestones approaching: Abreu singled in his first three at-bats and finished the night with a.299 average. His first-inning single scored Anderson for Abreu's 97th RBI. Frazier went deep leading off the sixth, giving him 96 RBIs, and putting Frazier one homer short of becoming the seventh player in White Sox history to hit 40 long balls in one season. "They are going out and doing it in a professional way," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "It's not greedy. It's just going out and playing hard and at the end of the year, you hope your numbers are where they are at." Rare air: Frazier's blast to left field was nothing new for the White Sox third baseman, but it was for Indians rookie reliever Shawn Armstrong. It marked just the second home run allowed by Armstrong over the past two years, covering 117 1/3 innings between the Minors and Majors. The blast had an exit velocity of 110 mph and traveled a projected 428 feet, according to Statcast. He laughs at trouble: Cleveland loaded the bases in each of the first two innings against Quintana, who wasn't as sharp as he has been for most of this season, but the Indians only scored one run. Carlos Santana hit into a double play on a 2-1 pitch to end the first, and Coco Crisp's baserunning blunder potentially cost the Indians a bigger outburst when they scored in the second. Quintana pitched six innings, putting him over 200 innings and 30 starts (32 starts) for a fourth straight season. "It was rough. I think locating-wise, it was probably the biggest thing. He struggled with it early," said Ventura of Quintana's first two innings. "You really don't see him like that too often. He just gritted through it. He has a lot of heart in him to be able to keep battling through. Got out of that first inning with a big double play. "Just not as smooth really the whole time through there. He grinded it out, got us to a point where we could score some runs and separate." QUOTABLE "Hopefully we can score runs like this more often for him. Everybody knows his record would be a lot better if we could score some runs for him." --Ventura, on Quintana "It's special because that means you helped for four years." -- Quintana, on reaching 200 innings pitched for a fourth straight year "When you look at the score at the end, it's a blowout game, but we had some really good chances early and didn't do much with it. And with a good pitcher like Quintana, he found himself. We had his pitch count up a lot early, but we managed one." --Francona SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Indians used 24 players, setting a franchise record for a nine-inning game. Cleveland used eight pitchers and 16 position players. The Tribe had used 23 players in a game twice previously (May 3, 1952, at Washington and April 26, 1921, vs. Detroit). Indians outfielder Brandon Guyer was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning, marking the 31st time (MLB high) he's been hit by a pitch this season. That is the tied for the fourth-highest single-season total, dating back to 1901. The AL record is 35 by Don Baylor in 1986 and the MLB record is 50 by Ron Hunt in 1971. IMPRESSIVE COMPANY Abreu's 179 hits put him in a select group with Joe DiMaggio and Albert Pujols as the only players in Major League Baseball history with at least 175 hits and 25 home runs in each of their first three seasons. WHAT'S NEXT
White Sox: Carlos Rodon (7-10, 4.29) makes his 27th start of the season in the road finale Sunday afternoon. Rodon is 3-1 with a 2.87 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 47 innings over eight career outings (seven starts) against the Indians. Six of Rodon's starts have been quality, and he has allowed two runs or less six times (one or zero runs four times). Indians: Right-hander Josh Tomlin (12-8, 4.61 ERA) is scheduled to start in Sunday's 1:10 p.m. ET season series finale against the White Sox at Progressive Field. Tomlin has gone 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in his two starts (11 2/3 innings) since returning to the rotation. Amid struggles, Sox close in on milestones By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 24th, 2016 CLEVELAND - Jose Quintana reached 200 innings pitched for a fourth straight season by allowing one run over six during an 8-1 White Sox victory over the Indians Saturday night at Progressive Field. With a career-high 13 wins and one start remaining, Quintana (13-11) also clinched a winning season on the mound. But those numbers didn't seem to matter to Quintana in comparison to the 73-81 White Sox record and the team being eliminated from any playoff consideration. "I don't like to talk about stats," said Quintana, who has a 3.21 ERA over 31 starts and 174 strikeouts in 202 innings. "We don't have a good year and the goal here is to make the playoffs. "We can't this year. We try to make a good rest and come back next year." Other White Sox players besides Quintana have individual milestones or targets in mind as this disappointing season comes to a close. Jose Abreu knocked out three hits and drove in one run, raising his average to.299 and his RBI total to 97. Abreu sits at 179 hits and joins Joe DiMaggio and Albert Pujols as the only players in Major League Baseball history to have at least 175 hits and 25 homers in each of their first three seasons. Melky Cabrera finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, taking that particular total to 80 and leaving his average at.298. Todd Frazier went deep leading off the sixth for his 39th home run and 96th RBI and barely missed No. 40 in the ninth. He would become the seventh White Sox player with a 40-home run season, a feat reached 13 times in total if Frazier connects on one more. Personal pride drives the White Sox, putting forth a quality effort even with nothing to play for as a team. But the individual accolades also provided an extra boost. "We know where we are at," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "But there's still guys going out there that have a lot of pride and playing a very good team and you know, you have some things to play for. There are still important, I don't know if they are milestones, but there are numbers guys want to get to. "They are going out and doing it in a professional way. It's not greedy. It's just going out and playing hard and at the end of the year, you hope your numbers are where they are at." Quintana's 1.39 ERA over 58 1/3 innings at Progressive Field is the lowest ERA by any pitcher at this venue with at least 50 inning pitched according to the Indians' postgame notes. The White Sox southpaw would trade those lofty individual numbers to be in the Indians' position atop the American League Central. "Well, they doing good. But I don't pay attention too much, Indians or not," Quintana said. "I just try to do my job, throw the ball well. Whatever team, I try do my best." Pitching for Team USA in WBC intrigues Sale
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 24th, 2016 CLEVELAND -- White Sox pitchers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana could pitch against either during Spring Training, and that scenario might take place without the team rebuilding and trading away one of their top two starters. Quintana already has expressed an interest in being part of the 2017 World Baseball Classic with his native Colombia, a country which qualified for the first time for the competition. And while Sale isn't sure, the proposition of pitching for Team USA certainly interests the perennial Cy Young candidate. "It seems like a fun experience," Sale told MLB.com. "I've always heard really good things about it. I would definitely have to put some thought into that before I jumped to one side or the other, before I say yes or no 100 percent either way. "But I'm very intrigued by it. I definitely don't want to rule it out but I definitely don't want to put my hand out there right now." The Dominican Republic and Canada join the United States and Colombia as part of The Classic's Pool C, with competition taking place from March 9-12 at Marlins Park in Miami. Colombia advanced from the Panama City Qualifier, and while Quintana wasn't part of that particular team, he's ready to go as one of Colombia's top Major League players. "I'm really excited to represent my country," a smiling and proud Quintana said. "It's a good experience because it's the first time we qualified in the World Baseball Classic. Everybody is excited in my country. "It's an honor for any player to be there for his country. I'll prepare a little early for this year, but I want to go. I need to talk first with my team, but I want to be there if they want me to go for the country. I'm available." Both players have to be chosen to play, although it seems plausible two of the game's top starting pitchers would be on their respective countries' short lists. Both Sale and Quintana realize Spring Training becomes a little different when games matter in mid-march, as opposed to simply getting in work and gradually raising pitch counts during Cactus League contests. Sale is coming off of a career high in innings this season, while Quintana was working Saturday night toward his fourth straight season of throwing at least 200 innings with at least 30 starts. Nonetheless, pitching in this world-wide competition makes the offseason and Spring Training adjustments worthwhile. "Yeah, no doubt. That's probably one of the main reasons why it's really intriguing to me," Sale said. "I've heard it's an honor to wear that uniform. To be able to represent your country, it's something that I'd like to do. "At this time, like I said, I just definitely want to put more thought into it then just right here. I've never heard anything but good things about it. I'll definitely talk to everybody involved that has a say so in it and see where we go from there." Eaton jolted after slamming into wall By Scott Merkin / MLB.com September 24th, 2016
CLEVELAND -- White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton had a fairly painful depiction of his crashing into the wall during the sixth inning of Friday's 10-4 loss to the Indians, taking away extra bases from Roberto Perez in the process. "It felt like I was in an 18 mph car accident," said Eaton, who left the game after the collision but said he passed the concussion protocol. "I feel better today. The reason I came out mostly was because I first of all lost my breath pretty well. I couldn't breathe at all. It was kind of a jolt, whiplash that I got. "If anybody has ever been in a car accident, it's kind of the same thing. It's taking inventory of the body parts and making sure everything is back to where we're supposed to be, and as soon as that is accounted for, we'll get back out there and play again." Eaton is known as a hard-nosed player who will give his body to make a play. He has maintained that focus while toning it down a bit, not injuring himself while going all-out for a ball that might be 10 rows into the stands as he occasionally did his first year with the White Sox. "He just has a better understanding of how to go through the season," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura, who referred to Eaton as "pretty dang valuable" overall this season. "Before he was just out there running crazy and right now he has a better understanding of what he can get to. "Last night was just a great play. He runs into the wall and gets himself banged up. But it wasn't just out of going after it and not having a chance to get it." Although Eaton was in good spirits Saturday, he seemed to be a bit perturbed by comments he referred to about his effort leading to the collision. Eaton said it was nobody in the clubhouse who made the comments and indicated it dealt more with something he read on social media. "Instead of choosing my body, I chose my team," Eaton said. "People can curse me for it, but the day that I backpedal and let the ball hit off the wall is the day I'm going to quit baseball. "Either the team can like it that I hustle, run into walls and put my body on the line for my teammates or they can just, I guess it is what it is. I could care less. I put my team before my body, just how I've been brought up, how I've been taught to play the game. If I die on the field, that's where I want to die. "I shouldn't be reading anything that anybody puts out there," Eaton said. "You play hard and then all of a sudden you get hurt playing hard and then people have a problem with it." Saladino out of action Infielder Tyler Saladino will miss the White Sox last two games of the series in Cleveland, along with Eaton, as he continues to be bothered by back issues and was moving very gingerly Saturday. Ventura believes it's better for both players to be re-evaluated Monday when they return to Chicago before returning to the field. White Sox snap six-game losing streak behind Jose Quintana By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago September 24th, 2016 CLEVELAND Jose Quintana secured only the second winning record of his career on Saturday night and he did it without the use of the changeup and curveball. The All-Star pitcher ditched his offspeed stuff early and managed to rebound from a poor start as the White Sox snapped a six-game losing streak with an 8-1 victory over the first-place Cleveland Indians in front of 32,088 at Progressive Field. Working mainly with an effectively wild fastball, Quintana, who has only one
start left, improved to 13-11 with six innings of one-run ball against the first-place Indians. Six different White Sox hitters drove in a run in support of Quintana. You really don t see him like that too often, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. He just gritted through it. He has a lot of heart in him to be able to keep battling through. Just not as smooth really the whole time through there. He grinded it out, got us to a point where we could score some runs and separate. He deserves one of these. Quintana didn t look like he could buy an out in the early going as he struggled with command. Similar to his last start in Kansas City, Quintana was missing by a lot, as much as a foot in some instances, according to catcher Alex Avila. He threw strikes on only six of 21 combined curveballs and changeups, which led to three walks in the first two innings and twice facing the bases loaded. Even so, Quintana nearly managed to escape unscathed. He induced an inning-ending double play in the first off Carlos Santana s bat to keep the White Sox ahead 2-0. And, after he allowed an RBI single to Rajai Davis in the second, got Jason Kipnis to ground out with runners on the corners to maintain a 2-1 advantage. Best adjustment was to try and throw first pitch for a a strike, Quintana said. I started a little slow First inning I missed the spot too much especially with the fastball. After that I made the adjustment. The adjustment included working almost entirely with the fastball, even though it also had a bunch of run to it. But Avila said that worked in Quintana s favor as it induced a number of pop outs. Whereas Quintana looked vulnerable in the first two innings, he looked infallible over his final four. He retired 13 of the last 15 hitters he faced, including nine on pop outs or weak fly balls. Quintana pitched around a pair of doubles in the process and only allowed a run and six hits with three walks and two strikeouts. The way he s pitched, he definitely deserves to have a lot more wins, Avila said. But like I told him before, there ll be a year where it flips the script on him and things will fall into place moreso than has been in the past. The White Sox offense rewarded Quintana for his Houdini act, one that had Avila stunned they managed their way through it. Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu each had first-inning RBIs as the White Sox took a 2-0 lead. Cabrera s twoout RBI single in the fifth inning extended the White Sox lead to 3-1 and Todd Frazier belted a solo homer in the sixth to make it a three-run lead. Avisail Garcia, Carlos Sanchez and Leury Garcia all had RBI singles during a four-run eighth inning. Perhaps its another sign the luck has turned for Quintana, who improved to 46-45 despite a 3.41 career ERA. Earlier this season, Quintana, whose 59 no decisions are still by far the most in the majors since 2012, finally reached 10 wins for the first time in his career. Even though Quintana said statistics aren t important to him, his manager believes they are a point of pride for the left-hander. It s been so tough for him, Ventura said. I think it s important. He has a lot of pride going out and doing what he can to help us win games. For him, it s a step in the right direction. Hopefully we can score runs like this more often for him. Everybody knows his record would be a lot better if we could score some runs for him.
Sore Adam Eaton out of White Sox lineup for several days By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago September 24th, 2016 CLEVELAND Adam Eaton feels sore everywhere and chances are slim he d play again before he is reevaluated on Monday when the team returns home. But the White Sox outfielder said Saturday afternoon that he felt better than he did Friday when he was cleared for a concussion after crashing into the outfield wall making a fantastic catch. Eaton, who left in the sixth inning of Friday s game, said he stayed down on the ground for several minutes after he knocked the wind out of himself. Manager Robin Ventura mostly ruled Eaton out for Saturday and Sunday after his hip, shoulder and back were all involved. If anybody has ever been in a car accident, it s kind of the same thing, Eaton said. It s taking inventory of the body parts and making sure everything is back to where we re supposed to be, and as soon as that is accounted for, we ll get back out there and play again. It seemed like I passed (the concussion test) pretty well. Whereas early in his career the White Sox asked Eaton, who played as if his hair were on fire, to dial it back, Ventura appreciated the outfielder s effort. Not only was there a possibility Eaton could get to the ball, he made a fantastic grab before slamming into the wall. Ventura applauded how much progress Eaton has made in knowing when and when not to go all out in the name of his own safety. He s been a lot better, Ventura said. He would run after balls that were probably 10 rows deep. Before he was just out there running crazy and right now he has a better understanding of what he can get to. Last night was just a great play, he runs into the wall and gets himself banged up. Staying on the field has made Eaton an extremely valuable asset for the White Sox. Not only is he a strong candidate to win a Rawlings Gold Glove, Eaton has a.791 OPS in 683 plate appearances. He headed into Saturday seventh among the American League position players with 6 Wins Above Replacement. And he has proven versatile with the ability to play right and center field and hit in several spots in the lineup. When you look what he does he s been pretty dang valuable, Ventura said. Eaton feels like part of the value he brings is his willingness to go all out for his teammates. He doesn t intend to slow down any more than he already has. Eaton said Saturday he was a little ticked by some of the responses he received on social media after the play, feeling like he would have heard criticism if he had backed off. You play hard and then all of a sudden you get hurt playing hard and then people have a problem with it and then they say you should play hard, Eaton said. Instead of choosing my body, I chose my team. People can curse me for it, but the day that I backpedal and let the ball hit off the wall is the day I m going to quit baseball. White Sox: Tim Anderson adjusting to grind of first MLB season By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago September 24th, 2016
CLEVELAND -- He s played far more than ever before this season, so it s no surprise that Tim Anderson has started to feel a little more tired than normal. This is exactly what baseball players mean when they mention the grind, that time of the season when the body aches more and each day off is important. It s not something players can be prepared for they learn how to handle it as they experience it for the first time. And that s just what the White Sox shortstop is figuring out how to manage himself in uncharted territory. Between Triple-A Charlotte and the majors, Anderson has accumulated 646 plate appearances, which is 96 more than he had in 2015. The White Sox have nine more games remaining, including Saturday night s contest at the Cleveland Indians, which means Anderson could easily reach 680 plate appearances. Just working on locking in and staying focused and keeping myself healthy and doing what I m supposed to do to stay healthy, Anderson said. It has been a little tough some times. My body is tired going through this extra month, I m not really used to it. I m holding up pretty well and my body is holding up pretty good. Anderson appeared to benefit from a day off Thursday when he returned to action on Friday. The team s top position prospect since Gordon Beckham, Anderson said he spent Thursday hanging out and relaxing at the area home of his cousin, Cleveland Browns fullback Malcolm Johnson. He responded to only his third day off all month with two hits, including a first-inning triple on Friday. It was the 30th multi-hit game of Anderson s career, but only the fifth in September. Anderson, who has a.710 OPS this season, has a.647 September OPS. You take advantage of (the time off), manager Robin Ventura said. He s played hard. Coming up and realizing that if you are playing everyday, everybody tries to take advantage of it. When you are in your first year, you realize the grind you are going through and you are trying to find a way to be fresh and things like that. You rest and that s the biggest thing for a day off. As much as he s happy to see the finish line, Anderson wouldn t mind if the White Sox were gearing up for a postseason run. Though he s tired, Anderson is still hungry. He said he has no major changes planned in his offseason physical preparation and thinks this experience will be extremely valuable when he goes through it again next September. Basically it s just the first time as a trial, Anderson said. See how it is and see how my body reacts and I know what to do next year at this time. It s good. You also want to play more. Just trying to finish strong and end on a good note. Saturday s recap: White Sox 8, Indians 1 By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune September 24th, 2016 Melky Cabrera had two RBIs and Todd Frazier hit his 39th homer of the year to help the White Sox to an 8-1 victory over the Indians on Saturday night at Progressive Field. Sox left-hander Jose Quintana battled through six innings, allowing one earned run on six hits in the Sox s first quality start in six games. Quintana s 13th win of the year helped break a six-game losing streak and gave the Sox just their second victory in Cleveland this season. At the plate Cabrera hit an RBI double off Indians right-hander Cody Anderson in the first and Jose Abreu followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
Cabrera drove in another run in the fifth with a single. Leury Garcia singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error on catcher Roberto Perez before scoring. Frazier led off the sixth with his solo shot to left field, and the Sox added four runs in the eighth. On the mound Quintana loaded the bases with one out on a single and two walks, but the Sox turned a double play to get out of the jam. Rajai Davis hit a bases-loaded single with one out in the second to drive in the Indians first run, but the Sox caught Coco Crisp off second base for the second out and limited the damage to one run. Quintana was trying to bounce back from of his worst starts of the year Sunday against the Royals. Quintana allowed six earned runs on 10 hits, the start of five straight non-quality starts from Sox pitchers. Jose Quintana grinds through early trouble as White Sox halt losing streak By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune September 24th, 2016 The White Sox looked to be in for another tough night after Jose Quintana loaded the bases twice in the first two innings against the Indians on Saturday at Progressive Field. But the left-hander made it through the trouble while surrendering only one run, and he recovered to pitch the Sox's first quality start in six games in an 8-1 victory. Quintana's 13th triumph of the year broke a sixgame losing streak and was just the team's second victory in Cleveland this season. With the loss, the Indians' magic number to clinch the American League Central was at two. If the Indians beat the Sox and the Tigers lose to the Royals on Sunday, the Indians could celebrate the American League Central Division championship. "He has a lot of heart in him to be able to keep battling through," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He grinded it out, got us to a point where we could score some runs and separate. He deserves one of these." Quintana bounced back from one of his worst starts of the year against the Royals, when he allowed six earned runs on 10 hits. He had a good shot to do it at Progressive Field, where his 1.39 ERA is the lowest by any pitcher with a minimum of 50 innings in the history of the ballpark. The outing brought him to 202 innings, his fourth straight season with 200-plus innings and 30-plus starts. "It's special because that means you helped for four years," Quintana said. "Every time you try to get more and more in." Quintana loaded the bases with one out in the first on a single and two walks, but the Sox turned a double play. Rajai Davis had a bases-loaded single with one out in the second to drive in the Indians' only run, but the Sox caught Coco Crisp off second base for the second out. The Indians had just two more hits after that over Quintana's six innings. "The first inning I missed the spots too much, especially with the fastball," Quintana said. "After that I tried to get first hitter out and throw pitch by pitch." Melky Cabrera had two RBIs and Todd Frazier hit his 39th homer to help the Sox pull ahead.
Extra innings: The Sox are slated to stay on their rotation schedule for the second-to-last series of the season against the Rays this week. James Shields will pitch Monday, followed by Chris Sale, Miguel Gonzalez and Quintana. Sox infielder Tyler Saladino sat out his second straight game with back tightness. Ventura said he likely will sit out Sunday too. White Sox s Adam Eaton: Instead of choosing my body, I chose my team By Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune September 24th, 2016 Adam Eaton said he felt like he had been in an "18 mph car accident" without a car Saturday, but he didn't regret the play that put him in the pain. The White Sox outfielder sat out Saturday's game against the Indians after crashing into the center-field wall at Progressive Field while making a catch in the sixth inning Friday. He was walking slowly around the clubhouse Saturday afternoon but could be out a couple of games with ailments he described as similar to whiplash after hitting his shoulder, hip and back on the wall and bouncing to the ground. Sox manager Robin Ventura said Saturday that Eaton has become better about choosing when to go after such aggressive catches, like the "great play" he made on Roberto Perez's fly ball Friday. But Eaton felt the need to defend the play. "Whenever you meet the wall, it's never fun, but you have to blame Perez for putting me in that situation to make a decision," Eaton said. "Instead of choosing my body, I chose my team. People can curse me for it, but the day that I backpedal and let the ball hit off the wall is the day I'm going to quit baseball. "Either the team can like it that I hustle, run into walls and put my body on the line for my teammates or they can just I guess it is what it is. I couldn't care less." Eaton said he didn't receive grief from anybody in the clubhouse but on social media and "in general." He also said he probably shouldn't be reading such comments. "It's damn me if I do, damn me if I don't," Eaton said. "I put my team before my body, just how I've been brought up, how I've been taught to play the game. If I die on the field, that's where I want to die." In his first season with the Sox in 2014, some wondered whether Eaton's all-out style of play could hurt his longevity in the game. But Ventura said the player who has been "pretty dang valuable" this year has learned to rein it in when needed. He has played in 151 games. "He would run after balls that were probably 10 rows deep (before)," Ventura said. "He was just out there running crazy and right now he has a better understanding of what he can get to. "He's fast and plays hard. There are times you don't have to do that. He has learned how to at least put the governor on when he needs to." White Sox halt 6-game skid with 8-1 victory over Indians By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times September 24th, 2016 CLEVELAND One more game and Ken Harrelson s season will be ovah.
The 75-year-old broadcaster, who lightened his schedule this season by working a road-game slate, says he s invigorated by the part-time gig which allows him to spend more time with his wife (Aris) of 43 years and grandkids. I love it more now than I ever have, I really do, especially with this schedule, Harrelson said Saturday. Harrelson takes losses harder than some players do, which made this, his 33rd year in the Sox booth, tough to handle. For him, having no more losses after home home to stew over during his long drive home to Granger, Ind., has preserved his outlook. I grew up in a different culture than these kids [players] we took it home with us, Harrelson said. I ve never been able to drop that. I m not saying losing is easier for me but to only see half as much of it because I m doing only half the games Harrelson called an 8-1 Sox victory Saturday which halted a six-game losing streak and temporarily delayed the Cleveland Indians charge to the AL Central championship. Todd Frazier hit his 39th home run in his pursuit of 40, Jose Abreu had three singles and his 97th RBI in his pursuit of 100 and left-hander Jose Quintana (13-11, 3.21) pitched six innings of one-run ball to cross the 200-innings mark for the fourth straight season. I don t like to talk about stats, said Quintana, who held an opponent to two or fewer runs for the 20th time in 32 starts and guaranteed a winning record for the first time in his career. We didn t have a good year and the goal here is to make the playoffs. We can t this year. We ll try to rest up and come back next year. With 175 hits and 25 homers in his first three seasons, Abreu has joined Joe DiMaggio and Albert Pujols in a special class. Frazier is looking to become the sixth Sox to get 40 homers and 100 RBI in a season. He has 96. The win was the second for the Sox in eight games at Progressive Field against the Indians, whose magic number to clinch the division held at 2. The Sox are 73-81, including 50-71 since a 23-10 start. What a bummer, to start 23-10 and have a six game lead on these guys, Harrelson said. Harrelson, who called four consecutive losing seasons for the first time in his career, bristled at the thought. If we get beat 2-0 and Corey Kluber sticks it to us that don t bother me, he said. But when we play the way we played and continually make those mistakes there isn t anybody after that game is over is more [ticked] off than I am. Nobody. And at my age Quintana posted the Sox 89th quality start, which ranks second to the Blue Jays in the AL. That s all well and good, but Harrelson has been saying for years that starting rotations aren t as important as bullpens. He would like to see the Sox offseason improvement plan address relief pitching first. They ve got to start with the bullpen, he said. It s no longer where your starters are going to take you, it s where your bullpen is going to take you. You have to put Robin [Ventura] or whoever is going to manage this club in a position where he can manage a five- or six-inning game. If you can t, you re at a big disadvantage. If you can cover the last nine outs you will play meaningful games in September. Harrelson will watch the postseason with interest and Sox fans might not want to hear this but he will be rooting for the Cubs, his preseason pick to win the World Series. I hope the Cubs win the whole thing because it will be good for the city and it will push us to make us better, he said.
Adam Eaton irked by criticism over his aggressive style By Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times September 24th, 2016 CLEVELAND Adam Eaton was sore the day after crashing into a wall to make a great catch. His feelings were hurt somewhat, too, by reaction from the general public. Some of it implied or suggested Eaton made an unhealthy choice by putting his body at risk when he ran down a deep fly ball by Roberto Perez before hitting the wall, forcing him out of the game and to miss Saturday s game as well. Instead of choosing my body, I chose my team, Eaton said Saturday. People can curse me for it, but the day that I backpedal and let the ball hit off the wall is the day I m going to quit baseball. Either the team can like it that I hustle, run into walls and put my body on the line for my teammates or they can just, I guess it is what it is. I could care less. The 5-8, 185-pound Eaton, who missed a start for only the third time, had the wind knocked out of him and was tested for a concussion. He said he felt like he was in a car accident, kind of a jolt, whiplash. I feel better today, he said. In his third season with the Sox, Eaton has learned to reel in his aggressiveness in defensive situations and on the bases that in the past put his health at risk. Eaton face-planted into the center field fence on Adam Rosales home run at U.S. Cellular Field in 2014, hurt his back and didn t play for another 17 days. Eaton said the grief he got for this play, which was more aggressive than reckless, did not come from the clubhouse but from social media. People of sorts. Like I said, curse me if I do, curse me if I don t. I just wanted to get that out there, because it s damn me if I do, damn me if I don t. I put my team before my body, just how I ve been brought up, how I ve been taught to play the game. If I die on the field, that s where I want to die. Manager Robin Ventura said Eaton plays smarter now. In the past, he would run after balls that were probably 10 rows deep, Ventura said. This one he could at least put a glove on it and have a chance to catch it. Before he was just out there running crazy and right now he has a better understanding of what he can get to. Last night was just a great play. Eaton is a Gold Glove candidate and has played like the team s best all-around position player this season. When you look what he does, he s played a great right field but we ve had a need out there in center as well, Ventura said. He s been pretty dang valuable. Keep an eye on White Sox prospects Collins, Hawkins in Arizona Fall League By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald September 24th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox were officially eliminated from the postseason after losing to the Cleveland Indians Friday night, but let's be honest. The Sox were basically out of the playoff race since they stumbled out of the all-star break with 5 losses in 6 roads games against the Angels and Mariners. It's been another nondescript season for the White Sox, and big changes are on the horizon. At least we think they are. While we wait to see what happens with manager Robin Ventura, top starting pitchers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana and others, let's take a look at the Sox prospects heading for the Arizona Fall League.
The AFL features promising young players from all 30 major-league teams, and the first game is Oct. 11. White Sox prospects play for the Glendale Desert Dogs, and Aaron Rowand is going to be manager. Rowand was a popular outfielder for the Sox from 2001-05, and he recently completed his first season as the organization's minor-league outfield/baserunning coordinator. Here are the White Sox prospects Rowand is going to manage in Glendale: Zack Collins The 21-year-old catcher was the Sox's first-round draft pick (No. 10 overall) in June. Collins has an advanced bat, and he posted a.258/.418/.467 hitting line with 6 homers and 18 RBI in 36 games for high Class A Winston-Salem. The left-hander has had some defensive issues and could be the future designated hitter, but the White Sox insist Collins is going to arrive in the majors as a catcher. Courtney Hawkins Is this the last shot for the 22-year-old outfielder, who had another disappointing minor-league season? The Sox drafted Hawkins on the first round in 2012 (No. 13 overall), and he has shown some of the big power they were anticipating. But Hawkins slashed.203/.255/.349 and struck out 137 times in 418 at-bats with Class AA Birmingham this season while continuing to have trouble staying healthy. Trey Michalczewski Like Hawkins, Michalczewski struggled with the bat at Birmimgham this season, slashing.226/.314/.363. At 21 years of age, the third baseman has shown enough defensively and offensively to still be rated one of the White Sox's top prospects. Danny Hayes The first baseman got off to a promising start with Charlotte this season before missing the final two months with an injury. When healthy, Hayes has some pop from the left side. In 55 games at Triple-A, he had 10 home runs and 42 RBI. Brian Clark He was a combined 0-5 with AAA Charlotte and AA Birmingham this season, but the 23-year-old lefty had a combined 2.70 ERA and 4 saves in 37 relief appearances. Brad Goldberg Like Clark, he split the season between Birmingham and Charlotte and was a combined 3-5 with a 2.70 ERA and 10 saves in 47 relief appearances. Nolan Sanburn Acquired from Oakland in an Aug. 31, 2014 trade for Adam Dunn, the right-hander split time as a reliever and starter with Winston-Salem and Birmingham this season and was 2-5 with a 3.53 ERA. Connor Walsh
Yet another young relief pitcher heading for the Arizona Fall League, the 23-year-old right-hander was a combined 2-2 with a 3.54 ERA and 5 saves with the Arizona League White Sox, Winston-Salem and Birmingham. White Sox minor league pitcher suspended 72 games Associated Press September 23rd, 2016 NEW YORK -- Chicago White Sox pitcher Yojensy Arias has been suspended for 72 games under baseball's minor league drug program following a positive test for hydrochlorothiazide, a banned diuretic used to treat high blood pressure. The 23-year-old left-hander had a 3.54 ERA in 10 relief appearances this year for the Dominican Summer League White Sox. He will serve the suspension at the start of next season. Major League Baseball announced the discipline Friday. There have been 83 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program and 13 under the major league program.