White Sox' offense awakes from slumber

Much has changed for the White Sox under new manager Robin Ventura.

It hasn't shown in the standings as of yet, but the change in the dugout has filtered into the clubhouse.

“Robin knows the game and has a plan in place,” Paul Konerko said near the end of the Sox' opening homestand. “There are guys who are going to play. Just because guys aren't getting the job done, you're still learning and getting better. There's only one way to become successful in those situations and that's to keep playing.

“Robin's a great guy to have around for that kind of stuff because he's very even-keeled. He knows that all you can do is have an approach and a plan when you go up there. The results are kind of secondary.”

The White Sox have had very good results against the Mariners is recent seasons, going 16-3 against Seattle the past two seasons and 25-9 since 2008.

In the opener of a three-game series at Safeco Field on Friday, the White Sox defeated Seattle 7-3. Adam Dunn stayed locked in, hitting 2 home runs, doubling and driving in 5 runs.

There have been some early dips, particularly on the offensive side, but Ventura has stayed calm and remained patient.

So has new hitting coach Jeff Manto.

Heading into Friday, the Sox ranked 12th out of 14 American League teams with 49 runs scored, and they were 10th with a .241 batting average.

The most alarming statistic was strikeouts.

Through Thursday's play, the Sox struck out 111 times, tying them with the Orioles for the AL lead.

Research by Daily Herald teammate Marty Maciaszek reveals the White Sox set an early pace for 1,499 strikeouts, which would easily shatter the club record 1,149 Ks set in 2007.

We caught up with Manto before the Sox headed for the West Coast and he sounded a lot like Ventura.

“Everybody's just trying to fit their niches, so to speak, and try to get into the flow of things,” Manto said. “Nobody's worried at all and there is no urgency this early. A lot of guys have been doing very well. I'm kind of satisfied with the approach of things. I'm happy with the preparation.

“At this point I don't have any complaints. I think it's a matter of just getting the reps. A lot of these guys are close.”

Two of the Sox' slumping hitters got it going at Seattle in the series opener.

While building an early 6-0 lead against the Mariners, Brent Morel walked and scored in the first inning. In the second, Morel delivered an RBI single and came around to score on Dunn's 3-run homer, which chased starter Hector Noesi.

Beckham doubled and scored in the second inning.

After striking out 16 times in Thursday's loss to Baltimore, the White Sox (7-6) struck out just four times Friday.

Sox starter Chris Sale labored early, throwing 76 pitches through the first four innings. But the left-hander recovered and wound up pitching 6¹⁄₃ innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits while striking out 11.

sgregor@dailyherald.com