White Sox stay perfect in division
In seasons past, it was the Twins.
Last year, the Tigers.
And for several seasons, the White Sox were overall failures against teams in the AL Central.
Winning division games is the first foundation for a successful season, and the Sox are building a strong base in the early going.
With Saturday's 5-1 win over Detroit, the Sox are off to a 4-0 start in the Central.
They swept an abbreviated two-game series against the Indians at Progressive Field before coming home to play the Tigers on Friday.
“It's always nice to go to Cleveland and now get two games on the Tigers,” starter Gavin Floyd said.
“They've done a number on us the past year or two and it's nice to get two, but it's a long season and we've still got to keep on battling and get wins.”
The White Sox were 5-13 against Detroit, the division champs, last year.
Overall, they were 32-40 in the Central.
“Those are the guys that you are going against for the playoffs,” manager Robin Ventura said. “It's nice to start off that way. It is April, though. But it's better than losing those games and trying to say it's still a long season.
“It's nice to be 4-0 in your own division, but it's more important for me how we are approaching it day in and day out.”
Milestone in view:
Paul Konerko hit his first home run of the season Saturday, a solo shot off Daniel Schlereth leading off the eighth inning.
Konerko is 3 homers away from No. 400 for his career, not that it means anything right now.
“I'm sure it will when I'm done playing,” Konerko said. “But any time you put those milestones numbers ... it's just another homer. Hopefully it comes sooner. I just want to approach every day and prepare every day the same way as long as I'm playing.
“And when you're done playing and the dust settles, you can look back and probably enjoy some things. But any time I spend doing that, I'm not being a good teammate.”
Around the horn:
Eduardo Escobar is scheduled to start in place of Gordon Beckham (.136) at second base today as the White Sox go for the three-game sweep over the Tigers. Kosuke Fukudome will replace Alex Rios (.190) in right field ... The White Sox will play a day-night doubleheader at Cleveland on May 7. Bad weather wiped out the Sox-Indians game Tuesday. Game 1 on May 7 starts at 12:05 p.m. The originally scheduled Game 2 starts at 6:05 p.m. ... Detroit starters have a 3.22 ERA through the first eight games but are 0-3.