Sox' on-field behavior creating quite a stir

In late April, when the Chicago White Sox' offense was nearly nonexistent, Adam Eaton said it was up to him to provide a spark out of the leadoff spot.

"I'm supposed to stir the drink," Eaton declared. "I'm the straw. That's my job."

Eaton's teammates immediately pounced on the quote, and they have been making stirring hand signals after nearly every hit.

Sox manager Robin Ventura, who was low-key as a player, does not condone the behavior. Conversely, Ventura has not asked his hitters to stop "stirring."

"You want them to have fun but you want them to respect the game and understand where you're at and not do it to the other team," Ventura said. "You can do it for yourselves and that's all right, but turning around and looking at somebody else, I think that crosses the line."

Ventura and the White Sox had no issues with Cubs reliever Pedro Strop yelling and pumping his fist after working out of a jam in the eighth inning Friday.

"In today's game, it just seems that's what guys do and it's different," Ventura said. "But I think fans enjoy that stuff and that's part of what it's evolved into."

LaRoche watch:

Slumping designated hitter Adam LaRoche was back in the Sox' starting lineup for the second straight game despite being in an 0-for-15 slump before doubling in the sixth inning.

Fans on social media have been on the LaRoche attack all season, so is it time for Ventura to sit him out for an extended stretch?

"Well, it's not today," Ventura said. "I think everybody has that in there; it does get to a point where you've got to try somebody else. But right now, we're hoping he gets back to where he can knock in some runs and be productive and be a part of it."

If Ventura does decide to make a switch, look for rookie Trayce Thompson to play left field while Melky Cabrera moves to designated hitter.

Medical watch:

Ventura has band-aids on his nose and neck after having a procedure following a skin cancer screening.

"We always get it done in spring training and then once during the year," Ventura said. "You're always protective of putting sunscreen on and everything else, but when you're a kid you probably didn't put it on as much as you should. Anytime we do it and they see something, I'm always, 'Go ahead and take care of it.'

"You can see I got zapped pretty good. And there was a couple other spots you're not going to see."

Ventura is close friends with Red Sox manager John Farrell, who is going to miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

"I mean, you're shocked," Ventura said. "I've known John a long time, but I think anytime you hear that news it's always shocking and you feel for him. I haven't gotten a hold of him yet, but I think you realize, I think you put things in perspective, you know, what's really important."