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Mercedes sits, still trying to break out of slump

Yermin Mercedes appeared to break out of a prolonged slump Friday night with a game-winning single against the Tigers, but the White Sox's rookie designated hitter has only 2 hits in his last 32 at-bats.

Batting .340 on May 27, Mercedes' average is down to .291.

"When people look at our club and some team gets ready to play us, he's getting a lot of attention," manager Tony La Russa said. "So they're working him over and he needs to make those adjustments. I can see that he is."

Mercedes was on the bench vs. the Blue Jays Wednesday night and Andrew Vaughn got the start at DH.

"Today is a way to get Andrew in the lineup based on his at-bats (Tuesday)," La Russa said. "Mercedes sits, but I also know if you look at tomorrow and what's ahead of us this weekend in Detroit, he's getting plenty of at-bats. But I do believe it's a combination of making the adjustment to how he's being pitched, gaining some experience with guys and how they're working him over."

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