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Another down day for White Sox

If you really think about it, the White Sox are lucky.

Trailing the Tigers by a run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, Adam LaRoche hit a solo homer to tie it and the Sox went on to win in 11 innings.

Without LaRoche's clutch blast, the White Sox got swept by Detroit in the three-game series.

Before Friday's game, general manager Rick Hahn said the "arrow is pointing up" more than once.

In reality, this is shaping up as another downer of a season on the South Side.

"We have to try to find a way to win games," Jose Abreu said through an interpreter after the Sox lost to the Tigers 6-4 on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field.

That is obviously easier said than done.

After losing to Detroit 7-1 on Saturday, the White Sox looked to be perfectly positioned for a win in the series finale.

Leading 4-1 on Avisail Garcia's 3-run homer in the first inning and Adam Eaton's RBI triple in the second, starter Jeff Samardzija couldn't hold on.

Samardzija gave up a run-scoring single to J.D. Martinez in the fourth inning, and the Tigers took the lead for good in the sixth on Yoenis Cespedes' solo home run and Martinez' 2-run shot.

"They put a couple over the fence," Samardzija said. "That was the difference. We keep those in the park, get a couple outs there, it's a different game. That's the story, 2 homers.

"I mean, obviously no one's happy. We've got to win those games. I put that on myself. Get 4 runs, you've got to take advantage of that and hold them to less than that and get the win."

The more they lose, the more likely players like Samardzija are going to be wearing different uniforms later this season.

While Hahn had an optimistic outlook Friday after the Sox returned from a challenging 11-game road trip with a 5-6 record, the GM did say he would take a much harder look around July 4.

There is no doubt Samardzija (4-4, 4.93 ERA) has been a big disappointment since coming over in an off-season trade from Oakland, but the White Sox' inconsistent offense remains the biggest problem.

Even with 4 early runs against Tigers starter Alfredo Simon, the Sox could have tagged on more.

The fifth inning was a perfect example when Adam Eaton led off with a double and never budged.

"It was nice jumping out early," Ventura said. "After that (Simon) was just good down in the zone, getting guys to chase. Not a lot of real good swings after that. We have to be better and probably more selective. Any time you're throwing up that many zeros late, he just shut us down and you have to be a little more selective and make things happen. You have to capitalize.

"With Jeff, this is a tough lineup. That sixth inning, the homers end up doing you in, but offensively you feel like you have to do more from the second inning on."

scouting report

White Sox vs. Houston Astros at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet today; Comcast SportsNet-Plus Tuesday; WPWR Wednesday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' Chris Sale (5-2) vs. Lance McCullers (2-0) today; Carlos Rodon (1-0) vs. Dallas Keuchel (7-1) Tuesday; Jose Quintana (2-6) vs. Roberto Hernandez (2-5) Wednesday. All games 7:10 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox won two of three at Houston on their last road trip. Sale has made 5 straight quality starts and is 3-1 with a 1.40 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 38⅔ innings over the stretch. The Sox' ace is 2-1 with a 0.38 ERA in 3 career starts vs. the Astros. Houston still leads the AL West but has lost four straight. The White Sox are 3-24 when an opponent scores 4 or more runs.

Next: Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicnana Field, Friday-Sunday

- Scot Gregor

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