Fields comes through in clutch once again
Josh Fields switched defensive positions on Sunday, moving to left field from third base.
On offense, it was the same old, same old for the White Sox' rookie on Monday.
Trailing 4-0 in the seventh inning and staring at their sixth straight loss at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox stormed back in the seventh inning when A.J. Pierzynski led off with a home run off Devil Rays starter Edwin Jackson.
Jermaine Dye and Juan Uribe followed Pierzynski with solo home runs, and Danny Richar's double knocked Jackson out of the game.
With Dan Wheeler on in relief, Andy Gonzalez and Jerry Owens failed to bring home Richar with the tying run.
But Fields wound up deciding the outcome with a 2-run blast, his 17th home run of the season in just 74 games.
"I think the kid is a clutch hitter,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said after the Sox rallied for a 5-4 win. "Since he's been here, he's given us good at-bats. It seems like he never misses when the game is on the line.''
Fields has the most home runs by an American League rookie, but feels it's still too early to say he is a power hitter.
"I don't consider myself one yet,'' said Fields, who has 9 homers in August alone. "A lot of guys come up in their rookie year and hit a lot of home runs and then the next year pitchers figure out how to pitch to them. We'll see how it goes.''
Winner's circle: It took a long time, but Jose Contreras finally won a start on Monday.
Contreras had lost 9 straight starts, and the big right-hander was trailing the Devil Rays 4-0 before the White Sox rallied for 5 runs in the seventh inning.
Contreras pitched 7 innings and allowed 4 runs on 8 hits. He also had 3 walks and 8 strikeouts.
"It didn't cross my mind,'' Contreras said of his long run without a win. "It was an incredible response by the team with 4 home runs in one inning. And I won the game. I'm happy about that.''
At 7-16, Contreras still has the most losses in major-league baseball.
"The last few games, he threw the ball better,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It seems like he's been pitching real bad because we don't score any runs when he's pitching. His fastball is coming around and I like what I see.''
Comiskey dies: Chuck Comiskey, grandson of White Sox founder Charles Comiskey, died Sunday at the age of 81.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are extended to the entire Comiskey family today on the passing of Chuck Comiskey,'' Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "Chuck represented the great tradition of Comiskey family ownership of the White Sox.
"During his time in the White Sox' front office, Chuck played an important role in developing the Go-Go Sox teams of the 1950s, ultimately culminating with the team winning the American League Championship in 1959.''
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
TV: Comcast SportsNet-Plus today; Channel 26 Wednesday; Comcast SportsNet Thursday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Gavin Floyd (1-2) vs. Kason Gabbard (6-1) today; Jon Garland (8-10) vs. Kameron Loe (6-10) Wednesday; John Danks (6-12) vs. Kevin Millwood (8-11) Thursday. All games at 7:35 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox have to be looking forward to getting out of town. They lost five of their last six at U.S. Cellular Field while being outscored 57-18. The Sox won two of three from the Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field in mid-April. Mark Buehrle no-hit Texas on April 18.
Next: Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field, Friday-Sunday