White Sox' losing streak reaches 4 games
A quick look at the standings indicates there are 25 major-league teams in worse shape than the Chicago White Sox.
That didn't stop general manager Rick Hahn from vowing to be aggressive and relentless in making the Sox as strong as possible.
"We are looking at every possible avenue, whether it's free agent or trade or waiver or whatever, to find added options for us as we got through this summer," Hahn said.
Despite turning their second triple play of the season Wednesday night, the White Sox fell to Houston 5-3 at U.S. Cellular Field. The Sox (24-16) have led the AL Central since April 23, but they've lost four in a row and six out of seven while the second-place Indians have pulled within 2.5 games.
A quarter of the season is in the books, but the White Sox could clearly use help in the starting rotation and bullpen. A potent bat wouldn't hurt, either.
"Not at all," third baseman Todd Frazier said when asked if bringing in more outside help would hurt team chemistry. "We had seven, eight new guys come in during spring training and it seems like we are on the team and played with each other all year long and all of our careers. So another guys comes in, he's going to step up and play the Chicago way, whether he likes it or not.
"That's basically it. No cockiness about it. A guy comes in here and they know the record we have. It's bottom line - come in here, dominate and focus on the next day."
Wednesday night's loss to the Astros looks to fall on starter Mat Latos (5-1), who was unimpressive again while yielding 5 runs on 11 hits and 2 walks in 5.1 innings.
Over his last four starts, Latos has pitched 20.2 innings and allowed 18 earned runs on 36 hits and 10 walks.
"I had a lot of jammed basehits," said Latos, who also allowed long solo home runs to Colby Rasmus and Jason Castro. "There's nothing you can really do about them. The line looks like (crud), but the positive on it is all the weak basehits and its just part of the game. It (stinks). It's not that the way I want to go. I'm tired of giving up runs, frustrated and can't do nothing about it."
The White Sox's offense didn't offer much support, scratching just 3 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks while going 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
"Offensively, we need to do some stuff," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think we're better than this."
The Sox turned their first triple play of the season against the Rangers on April 22. Against the Astros, reliever Dan Jennings walked the first two hitters he faced in the eighth inning before getting George Springer to ground into a 5-4-3 triple play.