Two tough May losses took heavy toll on Chicago White Sox

When did the season take a bad turn for the Chicago White Sox?

Before Sunday's final game of the year game against the Minnesota Twins, a 6-3 loss at U.S. Cellular Field, outfielder Adam Eaton and outgoing manager Robin Ventura had differing opinions.

Actually, Eaton didn't come right out and offer a specific turning point.

"I have a game in mind, but I'm going to keep that to myself," Eaton said. "There was a time where there were a couple games where we really should have won. And we didn't.

"You can almost break down a season with a just a couple of games, which is crazy to say, but it's true. When you have a week stretch where you should have won three or four games out of the week and you're 1-7, it can kind of turn the tide a little bit. I think that's what happened to us."

Eaton obviously was referring to a brutal stretch in late May, when the Sox lost seven in a row to the Indians, Royals and Mets. On May 28, the White Sox held a 7-1 lead at Kansas City before the Royals scored 7 runs in the ninth inning for a stunning comeback.

For Ventura, who is out as manager after five seasons in the dugout, the defining loss came at Texas on May 11, when the Rangers scored 7 runs in the eighth inning and defeated the Sox 13-11.

"We had some tough ones," Ventura said. "We lost some tough ones late and they were unique in a lot of different ways. In Texas, we lost one that really changed that series and going on from there that seemed to happen a little bit more."

Trade talk:

Ace starter Chris Sale again said he wants to be back with the White Sox next season, but he also realizes a trade might be coming.

"Absolutely, it could," Sale said. "This is sports. Anything can happen. I don't anticipate that happening or necessarily really want that to happen, but it could."

Historic season for Abreu:

Jose Abreu singled home Adam Eaton in the third inning Sunday, giving him 100 RBI for the season.

Abreu is one of only seven players in major-league history drive in 100 or more runs in each of his first three seasons, joining Albert Pujols, Hideki Matsui, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Al Simmons and Pinky Whitney.

"I'm very happy to accomplish that goal," Abreu said through a translator. "That was something that was in my mind and I felt I could do it. I feel very happy"

Third baseman Todd Frazier was attempting to become the sixth player in White Sox history to have a 40 HR/100 RBI season. Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Albert Belle, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome all accomplished the feat.

Frazier did lead the Sox with 40 home runs, but he finished the season with 98 RBI.