advertisement

Frazier, Chicago White Sox continue to find in win over Jays

At this time a week ago, the Chicago White Sox were in the early stages of being swept in a three-game series at Cleveland, and falling back into old habits was a popular activity.

Fire manager Robin Ventura. Petition chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to sell the team, but only after firing general manager Rick Hahn and vice president Kenny Williams.

There was misery aplenty after the Sox lost three straight to the AL Central leading Indians, but the Sox have not completely buckled.

Not even close.

It might not be pretty, and the stress level has been alarmingly high since the White Sox exited Cleveland and headed to Fenway Park in Boston, but they are doing the one thing that silences all critics.

Winning.

After taking three of four from the Red Sox, the White Sox returned home Friday night and edged the Blue Jays 3-2 at U.S. Cellular Field.

"We've been playing good baseball lately," closer David Robertson said after wiggling out of a bases-loaded jam with one out in the ninth inning unscathed. "We've been grinding it out. Everyone is playing hard; we are feeling good and hopefully the winning continues."

After losing 10 of 25 heading into Boston, the Sox (37-37) have won four of five.

"They just continue to play," Ventura said. "I think that's really the mantra right now - continue to grind, continue to play, continue to fight through that. I think offensively, they've fought back enough to score some runs."

The White Sox were held to 3 runs by the Blue Jays, but starter Carlos Rodon, Matt Albers, Nate Jones, the rejuvenated Zach Duke and Robertson made them hold up.

Todd Frazier came into the game batting .198 overall and .131 (8-for-61) with runners in scoring position.

The Sox's slugging third baseman decided the outcome in the seventh inning with a two-out RBI single.

"That felt good," Frazier said. "Squaring balls up, that's what I've been trying to do. Few and far between. Seems the only ones I've been squaring up go over the wall, which is fine, but you've got to get those ones in between as you go through the year. It was a good day today all the way around. Guys came back, the pitching was great and hopefully I can build off this."

If the White Sox can get Frazier going, maybe they can sustain their current success.

"It feels like every game, we've got a shot to win," Frazier said. "You saw it in Fenway. We took three out of four. We should have taken four out of four. But we feel good every day. It's a team that comes in every day not worrying about yesterday, worrying about the task at hand and the energy has always been there.

"It's just a fun team to play on. We're finding ways to win and things are going to click."

White Sox hoping Shields builds off much better start against Red Sox

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.