White Sox's wish list: Win games, stay healthy

Just win games.

With a little over three weeks left in the regular season, that's the White Sox's primary focus.

Injury concerns are running a close second.

The Sox took care of the first order of business Tuesday night, beating the Athletics 6-3 in Oakland.

“Consistency is the thing that you strive for and we've had a consistent mindset,” manager Tony La Russa said. “I think early on when we had the position player injuries, everybody that filled in was going to contribute and our pitching was going to carry the load. Ironically, here it is in the last month, our position players are healthy and we've taken some bumps with our starters.”

With Lance Lynn (knee) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) on the injured list and Carlos Rodon (sore shoulder) in limbo, the Sox's rotation is in a precarious position.

Jimmy Lambert came up from Class AAA Charlotte and started the series opener against the A's.

“We need a quality first inning and second inning more than we need length because our bullpen is rested,” La Russa said. “Just take it just one inning at a time, literally. If he gives us 3 or 4 it would be a victory for us and if he goes deeper, fine. We really want him to concentrate on just that first inning and then the second and not get too distracted.”

Lambert looked completely focused while holding Oakland to 1 run on 3 hits over 5 innings while throwing 70 pitches.

Cesar Hernandez and Brian Goodwin each had 2-run singles.

As the Sox monitor the health of their top three starters, they had to deal with injury scares with two of their best hitters Tuesday.

Jose Abreu was hit on the kneecap by A's starter James Kaprielian in the first inning and he was able to stay in the game.

In the second, Eloy Jimenez was hit while sitting in the dugout. He took an Andrew Vaughn foul ball off his knee and went down.

Jimenez eventually had to exit with a right knee contusion. X-rays were negative and he's day-to-day.

It's been that kind of season for the White Sox, but there is still time before the playoffs start to get everybody healthy.

Rodon is “lightly penciled in for this weekend (against Boston), but not a certainty,” La Russa said.

Giolito and Lynn are likely a little behind that timeline.

“We're basically anxious, watching every move they make because we want to get them back,” La Russa said. “This isn't part of any plan to rest them. This is all just making sure that when they get back they can be 100 percent. I think they're both feeling better so we're optimistic they'll start a game for us sooner rather than later.”

Engel update:

Out since Aug. 16 with left shoulder inflammation, Adam Engel became a rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Charlotte Tuesday night.

Leading off and playing right field, he was 1-for-4 with 2 strikeouts against Jacksonville.

It's been a difficult season for Engel, who missed the first two of the season with a hamstring injury. In 33 games with the Sox, he's batting .248/.339/.505 with 7 home runs and 18 RBI.