White Sox keep rolling along with 6-1 win over Twins
Plug, play, prosper.
Following that script since late in spring training, when outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Adam Engel went down with the first in a string of key injuries, the White Sox keep filling holes in the lineup with organizational depth and winning games.
Wednesday afternoon's 6-1 decision over the Twins at Target Field was the latest example.
"It says a lot about this organization," said shortstop Tim Anderson, who was 4-for-4 with an RBI double as the Sox beat Minnesota for the 10th time in 12 games. "It says a lot about each and every one of our teammates. We know they come to the ballpark ready to compete. We go out there and give it everything we've got and see what happens.
"We've been playing pretty good. Guys are stepping up. Young guys have been coming up and just falling into place. I couldn't be more happy with where we're at right now."
On Tuesday, the White Sox announced Yasmani Grandal is out 4-6 weeks with a torn tendon in his left knee. The No. 1 catcher had surgery in Chicago on Wednesday to repair the injury.
Backup Zack Collins was behind the plate Tuesday and he went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI in the Sox's 4-1 win.
Up from Class AAA Charlotte, Seby Zavala was the White Sox's catcher Wednesday. In his first game with the White Sox since early August 2019, he was 0-for-3 but starting pitcher Lance Lynn tipped his cap to Zavala after allowing 1 run over 6 innings.
"I haven't been here to see what they do in the minor leagues, but the guys come ready to play," said Lynn (9-3, 1.99 ERA), who can make a strong case for being the American League starter in next week's All-Star Game. "Seby today behind the plate was awesome. I don't think we worked together in spring training, maybe a bullpen, but he was on top of things, knew exactly what I like to do, how I like to do it and we had no issues.
"You see the guys come up, they're getting them prepared to win at the big-league level. If you look at the prospects, they're high-end prospects, wouldn't be where they were if they weren't talented."
Gavin Sheets and Jake Burger joined the White Sox's roster from Charlotte last week.
A promising left-handed bat, Sheets has made a fairly seamless shift from first base to right field, a big reason why the Sox designated Adam Eaton for assignment Wednesday.
Burger, back playing this season after missing three straight years due to injuries and the coronavirus pandemic, was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI filling in for Yoan Moncada at third base as the White Sox (51-35) hiked their lead over the Indians to 8 games in the AL Central.
"Everybody that played did something good," manager Tony La Russa said.
The Sox have had to adjust on the fly all season, but the rotation has been the same since opening day.
Lucas Giolito (6-6, 4.20 ERA) and Dallas Keuchel (6-3, 4.48) have room to improve, and Dylan Cease (7-4, 4.14) has been about as good as expected.
Carlos Rodon (7-2, 2.31) is one of the bigger surprises in baseball, and he's joining Lynn and closer Liam Hendriks at the All-Star Game.
Given his strong showing in the first half and career track record, Lynn is currently positioned to get the nod in Game 1 of the playoffs for the White Sox.
"I've felt better," the 34-year-old Lynn said. "Best success I've had (in the first half), but it's part of getting older in this game, the days you don't feel good, how to get by and not have big numbers and do things like that.
"Over the years I've been able to control the days I don't feel good and have success, and that's what it's all about."