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Bad break for debuting Davidson as Sox beat Twins 6-5

Matt Davidson got two breaks in one day.

One was great. The other was not.

After spending the last two years and first three months of the current season with Class AAA Charlotte, Davidson finally got the call from the Chicago White Sox and he was in the starting lineup Thursday against the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.

Before the game, the 25-year-old third baseman/first baseman/designated hitter was understandably thrilled.

"I'm excited to be here and this was my goal, to be here," Davidson said. "It's been a long ride, but I'm glad to be here."

During the game, Davidson was the Sox's DH and he batted eighth. After striking out swinging in his first at-bat in a White Sox uniform, Davidson came through with an RBI single in the fourth inning.

But when he rounded first base, Davidson fractured his right foot. He was unavailable for comment after the Sox edged the Twins 6-5. Team doctors will re-evaluate Davidson on Friday.

"It's tough," said rookie shortstop Tim Anderson, who was Davidson's teammate at Charlotte for the first two months of the season. "I was in Triple-A with him and he worked his butt off. It's sad to see him go down like that."

Manager Robin Ventura noticed the injury when Davidson advanced to third on J.B. Shuck's double.

"I know he's not a good runner, but it was remarkably poor at that point for him to keep going," Ventura said. "It's just crazy."

It's been a crazy season for White Sox rookies making their debuts.

Catcher Kevan Smith came up from Charlotte in late April and was about an hour away from making his major-league debut at Toronto before being scratched with back spasms that were later diagnosed as a sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

In his debut with the Sox in early June, outfielder Jason Coats had to make an early exit after colliding with Shuck. Coats avoided a concussion but needed five stitches to close a cut in his mouth.

"We're hot that way," Ventura said. "I think they're afraid to come up. It's odd."

Davidson figures to miss at least 4-6 weeks with the fractured foot, but he should get another chance with the White Sox when he's healthy.

Davidson was batting .268 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 75 games with Charlotte this season while leading the International League with 20 doubles.

"I made a lot of adjustments and I have keys I go back to when I struggle," said Davidson, who led the IL with 190 strikeouts last season and 164 in 2014. "If I'm not feeling well, I just kind of do the same thing every single day. I think before, I just kind of hit and didn't really know what I was doing, I guess.

"It was just kind of athletic ability doing that. I had to learn and understand my body. Now I always go back to the same routine and it's helped me this year."

Scouting report

White Sox vs. Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park

TV: Comcast SportsNet Friday and Saturday; WGN Sunday

Radio: WLS 890-AM

Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Miguel Gonzalez (1-3) vs. Mike Fiers (5-3) Friday at 7:10 p.m.; Chris Sale (13-2) vs. Doug Fister (8-4) Saturday at 3:10 p.m.; Jose Quintana (5-8) vs. Collin McHugh (5-5) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.

At a glance: The Sox lost 2 of 3 to the Astros at U.S. Cellular Field in mid-May. Houston is back after a sluggish start, winning 10 of 11. Jose Altuve is an early MVP candidate. The pint-size second baseman leads the American League with a .357 batting average to go with 24 doubles, 13 home runs, 46 RBI and 21 stolen bases. Gonzalez was battered by the Blue Jays in his last start, allowing 8 runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings. Left fielder Melky Cabrera (sprained right wrist) is expected back Saturday or Sunday. The White Sox have won three straight series, over Boston, Toronto and Minnesota.

Next: New York York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday-Wednesday

- Scot Gregor

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