Chicago White Sox bats go quiet in loss to Red Sox

For the most part, the Chicago White Sox's offensive numbers were up in May.

The Sox averaged almost 5 runs per game in the second month of the season after being much closer to 4 per game in April.

Avisail Garcia stayed hot in May, while Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Yolmer Sanchez and Leury Garcia heated up.

The Sox are still waiting for Todd Frazier to start producing out of the cleanup spot, but the signs are encouraging moving into June.

"We've seen him start to come alive in the last week, 10 days maybe," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said before Wednesday night's 4-1 loss to the Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. "It's still a work in progress for him. I think he's feeling a lot more comfortable in the box, though. I think his timing is starting to come around.

"I think he's not diving as much into the zone. He's trying to carry his weight on his back side a little bit better. He's slowing everything down, and that gives him a chance to keep his hands back and recognize pitches a little better."

Batting .184, Frazier hit a 2-run homer off Chris Sale on Tuesday night and just missed a 3-run shot off his former teammate.

"In baseball and hitting in general, and I remember talking to the great Eric Davis about this, you're going to have to make changes along the way," Frazier said. "Bottom line is, your stance and the way you swing might stay the same, but there's probably going to be other things you're going to have to change. Maybe it's mental focus, maybe it's with two strikes choking up a little more, maybe it's not choking up.

"Pete Rose always told me, you can move up in the box, move back, and it's just all that crazy stuff that goes into hitting. But that's all for practice, and when you go in the box you just focus on driving the ball."

Mike Pelfrey started for the White Sox on Wednesday and pitched 5 scoreless innings.

Injury update:

On the disabled list since the season started with left-biceps bursitis, Carlos Rodon is scheduled to throw another simulated game Thursday in Arizona.

"He'll be getting up and down five times," manager Rick Renteria said. "Hopefully it goes well, he feels good, and we'll progress him."

Injured starter James Shields and reliever Jake Petricka, both out with strained right lats, are scheduled to begin rehab assignments with Class AAA Charlotte this weekend.