Behind Latos, White Sox complete three-game sweep of Rangers
After three straight dreary seasons that caused more than many fans to pull back their support, the Chicago White Sox are back in business.
The calendar still says April, but the Sox already have established they can pitch the baseball. They can catch it.
If they ever start hitting at even a league average, they might really have something here.
"Every guy here thinks when we walk in the clubhouse, 'We're going to win,' " second baseman Brett Lawrie said after the White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 4-1 Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field. "And that's not a question, that's an answer. We know we're not going to win every game, but the mentality is there."
At 13-6, the Sox are off to their best start in 10 years.
Backed by a fourth straight gutsy start from Mat Latos, the White Sox swept a three-game series from the Rangers, who came in leading the American League in runs scored.
Texas, which also came in leading the AL West, scored just 4 total runs against the Sox, who are first in the league with a sparkling 2.28 ERA.
"Our guys are pitching at a high level right now," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "These guys are as confident as can be and like what they're doing right now. They're going to keep doing what they're doing."
Latos improved to 4-0 after pitching 6 innings and allowing 1 run on 7 hits. His ERA actually rose, from 0.49 to 0.74.
Laboring in the sixth inning and trying to protect a 3-1 lead, Latos was in big trouble after the Rangers put runners on first and third with one out.
But on his 109th pitch, the right-hander got Ryan Rua to hit into a 1-4-3 double play to instantly erase the rally.
"I can tell you that it was supposed a fastball in, but it was down and away, so I missed a spot," Latos said of the key pitch to Rua. "I'm just glad it didn't take my face off. It's coming in pretty hard and I was able to get my glove on it."
The Sox's bullpen held Texas down over the final three innings, and new No. 1 catcher Dioner Navarro sparked the offense with 2 RBI, including a solo home run off Rangers starter Derek Holland in the third inning.
There also was another strong defensive effort, highlighted by Latos' snag of Rua's hard grounder to start the big double play.
Everything is looking good for the White Sox right now, on and off the field.
"We've really come together," said Latos, who had trouble fitting in with other teams like the Cincinnati Reds in past seasons. "You see it in the dugout; everybody's pulling for everybody. I think with just the personalities that we have and some of the veterans that we have, everybody just meshed together.
"They say it always takes time for everybody to kind of get together, but when you've got personalities like Lawrie and (Todd) Frazier and Jimmy Rollins and guys like that, it's tough not to mesh. Everybody's outgoing. There's nobody that's sitting there really being selfish and so on.
"Everybody's pulling for everybody. We've come together quick as a team, and I like it. I'm enjoying the (heck) out it."
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre
TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday and Wednesday; WPWR Tuesday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Miguel Gonzalez (0-0) vs. Marcus Stroman (3-0) Monday; Chris Sale (4-0) vs. R.A. Dickey (1-2) Tuesday; Jose Quintana (2-1) vs. Marco Estrada (1-1) Wednesday. All games 6:07 p.m.
At a glance: Gonzalez is a career 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight games (7 starts) at Toronto, so it makes sense the White Sox are giving him a shot in the series opener. If Gonzalez pitches well vs. the Jays, the Sox might find another role for John Danks. The White Sox were 4-3 vs. the Blue Jays last season (1-2 at Rogers Centre). Over the last six games, Sox starters have a 1.15 ERA. Brett Lawrie is batting .347 over his last 14 games. In his last six games, Todd Frazier is batting .333 with 3 homers and 3 RBI.
Next: Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, Thursday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor