White Sox slumbering offense awakens
MINNEAPOLIS -- Runs haven't been coming easily for the White Sox, who rank near the bottom of every major offensive statistical category, so scoring six runs in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Twins was a welcome occurrence.
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The White Sox hadn't scored more than three runs in a game since June 13 and entered the day hitting .206 in their last nine games. Things were especially troublesome at Target Field, where the Sox had scored three runs or fewer in the five games they played there this season.
And after scoring just two runs on 11 hits on Monday, and after leaving the bases loaded in the first inning, it looked as though Tuesday might be more of the same. But they broke out to the tune of six runs on 15 hits.
Left fielder Melky Cabrera drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the seventh inning after catcher Geovany Soto tied the score in the fourth and sixth with RBI singles.
Video: CWS@MIN: Cabrera drives in the go-ahead run
"After the first inning, you can fall into the trap of [thinking] 'It's not happening,' and guys stayed with it. Melky had a big one just to put us ahead, and then guys added on," manager Robin Ventura said. "They just kept grinding away, so it was a good win for us tonight."
The White Sox drove in four runs with two outs, including Soto's game-tying single in the sixth and Cabrera's single in the seventh.
Video: CWS@MIN: Soto's two-out RBI single ties the game at 2
"When you get two-out hits, it hurts the other side. We know what it feels like when it happens to us," Ventura said. "Any time you add on and just get those to fall or squeak through with two outs, you kind of wear away the other side."
White Sox starters haven't had much run support lately, but Jeff Samardzija said that Soto's performance, especially, helped him relax, as he threw his third consecutive quality start.
"Geo played a heck of a game today, man," Samardzija said. "He caught a great game behind the plate and had two huge hits that allowed me to take a deep breath and get back to work out there. Tie ballgames are a lot better than trailing, so it allowed me to get back in the zone and get comfortable."
Eight players got hits, including Gordon Beckham, who entered the game late as a defensive replacement. First baseman Jose Abreu led the charge with four hits, bringing his season average up to .300. Adam Eaton, Soto and Cabrera also had multiple hits in the win, and the team had six extra-base hits.
"We showed what we could do when we hit the ball well, but the most important thing was that the team won," Abreu said through translator Billy Russo. "I think that this is the kind of game that we are expected every day to have."