Third to first

• Tyler Flowers and Hector Gimenez both entered Friday's contest with averages below .210. But Ventura likes the way the two catchers are handling the pitching staff, a top priority for the White Sox.

"They are running a great game and pitchers like throwing to them," Ventura said. "It's a big job when you are back there and trying to get a pitcher through whatever he's out there doing."

• Following Friday's victory, 33 of Chicago's 40 games have been decided by three runs or fewer. The White Sox are 8-9 in one-run games, 3-5 in two-run games and 6-2 in three-run games for a 17-16 mark.

• The White Sox optioned right-handed pitcher Deunte Heath to Triple-A Charlotte after Friday's game and a corresponding roster move will be made before Saturday afternoon's contest. The White Sox could opt for a second southpaw in Donnie Veal, who has pitched eight scoreless innings over his last four appearances for the Knights.