White Sox 6 homers not enough vs. Angels

ANAHEIM -- José Abreu messed with the White Sox home run math during the ninth inning of Thursday's 12-8 loss to the Angels.
The White Sox had hit five home runs before Abreu connected for a two-run shot off reliever Blake Parker with two outs. All five of those earlier long balls were of the solo variety, and all five came against Angels starting and winning pitcher Nick Tropeano (4-5). At one point, the White Sox had five hits, all of which were home runs.
Abreu started the long-ball barrage with his first-inning home run. He ended the night with 140 homers for his career, tied with Ron Kittle for 10th on the franchise's all-time list. Abreu's 27th multihit game of the season also extended his hitting streak to five games, after he'd seen his average drop from .319 on May 26 to .250 on July 21.

During this hot stretch -- which is more indicative of Abreu's All-Star status -- the White Sox first baseman has three homers, six RBIs, six runs scored and has raised his average to .258.
"Personally, it was a very satisfying series," said Abreu, who had seven hits during the four-game split in Anaheim. "I kind of got into my groove, obviously. I still think that I can do better.
"I can do more, but yes, it was a step forward in this series for me. I felt good with my swing and I just want to get into my whole groove, in sync with my offense, to help this team as much as I can."
Daniel Palka turned in a multihomer effort, as well, going deep to lead off the second and then launching a 445-foot blast in the seventh following Avisaíl García's 430-foot drive into the rocks in left-center field. Nicky Delmonico completed the three-homer frame two batters later with his second of the season.

Palka has six home runs in his past 10 road games. His 14 homers also rank him second behind Gleyber Torres among AL rookies in home runs.

Unfortunately for the White Sox offense, their pitching couldn't hold down Los Angeles' attack. The Angels scored three in the fifth, highlighted by Andrelton Simmons two-run triple, on which the shortstop came around to score after Tim Anderson's throwing error. The Halos added three more in the seventh on Francisco Arcia's first career home run, off reliever Juan Minaya, in Arcia's big league debut. Kole Calhoun and Ian Kinsler also went deep for Los Angeles, with three more runs scoring in the eighth off reliever Chris Volstad, who pitched Thursday after throwing 41 pitches on Wednesday.
Starting pitcher Dylan Covey allowed six runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings for Chicago, striking out two and walking two. This effort followed up Covey's two hits allowed over 8 1/3 innings Saturday in Seattle.
"Dylan wasn't as sharp as he had been the last few outings," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "That was obvious. He tried to work through it, grind through it. But they kept attacking."
"There were situations where I could have made one pitch to get out of an inning, and I just didn't execute the pitch and it extended the inning," said Covey, a California native who had both of his brothers in attendance Thursday. "I just need to do a better job of executing those pitches with two outs. I didn't feel like I had my best stuff out there today."
Thursday began with the trade of White Sox closer Joakim Soria and cash considerations to Milwaukee for left-handed pitcher Kodi Medeiros and right-hander Wilber Perez, another step in the rebuild. Other White Sox veterans may be moved before Tuesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, but all the players can do is play hard and focus on the game, as the White Sox did in a losing effort Thursday.

"It's difficult especially today because we lost a teammate, a teammate that started the season with us, and we had a very good relationship with him," Abreu said. "But we all understand this is a business, and as part of the business, you have to find the strength to maintain your focus on the thing you need to do. That's the key, and that will be the key for us."
SOUND SMART
Covey is 1-5 with an 8.73 ERA over his past six starts, allowing 32 earned runs in 33 innings pitched. He was 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA in his previous five starts.
HE SAID IT
"That was a very complex game. I think we fought and we did our best. The guys fought all the way to the end. I think even though we lost the game, we are going to leave here with a good sensation."-- Abreu, on Chicago's 3-4 road trip to start the second half
UP NEXT
Righty Reynaldo López (4-8, 4.13 ERA) is scheduled to make his 21st start of the season, ninth at home and second career against the Blue Jays when the White Sox return home Friday for a 7:10 p.m. CT first pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field. Marcus Stroman is scheduled for Toronto. Lopez is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his past three starts, but he is 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA over his past five home starts.