Headlines of August 3, 2015 “White Sox at critical juncture to keep hope alive” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Samardzija knocked around by Yankees” … Greg Garno and Bryan Hoch, MLB.com “Soto hits 100th big league home ” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Quintana greets Rays in opener of three-game set” … Greg Garno, MLB.com “Rejuvenated offense signals turnaround” … Greg Garno, MLB.com “White Sox's Melky Cabrera is on quite a roll” … Paul Skribina, Tribune “With back to wall, White Sox's Avisail Garcia gets job done” … Paul Skribina, “Sunday's recap: Yankees 12, White Sox 3” … Paul Skribina, Chicago Tribune “Series preview: Rays at White Sox” … Chicago Tribune “White Sox' Melky Cabrera stays hot with two more hits” … Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun Times “ says surviving rough first three months could make White Sox stronger” … Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun Times “White Sox option Scott Carroll to -A Charlotte” … David Just, Chicago Sun Times “Samardzija, Sox pounded by Yankees” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Red-hot Cabrera also helping stay cool” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Scott Carroll optioned, Trayce Thompson expected to take his place” … Doug Padilla, ESPN.com “Improved Chicago White Sox pitching staff hits a bump in the road” … Doug Padilla, ESPN.com “Yankees rough up Samardzija, beat White Sox 12-3” … , ESPN.com “Rapid Reaction: Yankees 12, White Sox 3” … Doug Padilla, ESPN.com “Nate Jones continues to make inpressive strides” … Doug Padilla, ESPN.com “Melky Cabrera's way signals whole new approach” … Doug Padilla, ESPN.com “White Sox stay level-headed as playoff race hits August” … JJ Stankevitz, CSN “Struggling Avisail Garcia makes an impact robbing home runs” … JJ Stankevitz, CSN “Melky Cabrera emerging as clubhouse leader for White Sox” … JJ Stankevitz, CSN “Billy Pierce squared off against in an epic 11 inning showdown” … Nick Diunte, Examiner.com “Rays-White Sox Preview” … Associated Press, FoxSports.com

White Sox at critical juncture to keep hope alive Have dropped three of four after 7-game winning streak By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | August 2nd, 2015

CHICAGO -- The White Sox returned home to U.S. Cellular Field with a clubhouse full of momentum coming off a 7-1 road trip, not to mention a weekend series against the Yankees that would draw over 30,000 each day at U.S. Cellular Field.

Facing the East leaders was a good test for the South Siders, who played good baseball during their seven-game winning streak but also did so against two last-place teams in and Boston. So losing two out of three to the Yankees, including Sunday's 12-3 setback in front of their third sellout of the season, wouldn't exactly be considered a failure.

But three losses in four games and having just 59 games remaining underscores the importance of not letting this losing skid grow much deeper.

"We know our backs are up against the wall and we need to win as many as possible as soon as possible," said White Sox starting , who allowed nine runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings, after allowing nine runs in his previous 23 innings. "The same thing applies for me that applies to everybody. Show up and turn the page and go get them tomorrow. We have a new series and another chance to win a series." "We've been playing some good baseball the last two weeks," said White Sox Adam Eaton, who extended his hitting to a season-high 11 games and has scored a run in a career-high 10 straight. "But we gotta keep pushing."

When the White Sox offense returned in full force on the road, it was pointed to as a sign that this latest hot streak was different from others earlier in the season that were followed by prolonged losing runs. But if Sunday's setback, Friday's 13-6 loss and Thursday's 8-2 affair at Fenway prove anything, it's that this team is driven by its quality starting staff.

Combine Samardzija's performance Sunday, Carlos Rodon on Friday and a rare off night for on Thursday, and the totals stand at 12 2/3 , 28 hits, 24 earned runs, 14 and seven walks.

"There's going to be periods where that happens," said White Sox Robin Ventura of the starters' struggles, minus in Saturday's victory. "And this is a lineup that can do it to you. If you are not sharp on top of it, you are going to pay for it. And we did."

"These things happen," Samardzija said. "The thing is you need to stop it once you do. You don't let it snowball."

Jose Quintana and Sale are next up in trying to stop this season from rolling downhill, and they will be doing it against a Rays team also in the Wild Card hunt. The White Sox can't waste opportunities at home, where they are 1-6 in their last seven, especially in a month of August where they only play 10 games on the road.

"I feel that our guys have been playing great baseball," White Sox Geovany Soto said. "We lost two out of three, but we're going to keep battling, keep trying to win series and see where we are in September."

Samardzija knocked around by Yankees By Greg Garno and Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | August 2nd, 2015

CHICAGO -- Jacoby Ellsbury and homered and Ivan Nova allowed one run over six innings as the Yankees defeated the White Sox, 12-3, on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field. outscored the White Sox, 27-17, in the three- game series, taking two of three.

Ellsbury led off with a on the second pitch of the game before the Yankees blew the game open with a five-run fourth and a three-run fifth. Stephen Drew supplied four RBIs, while Didi Gregorius, and Ellsbury each added two RBIs. White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija threw fewer than five innings for the first time this season, giving up nine runs over 4 2/3.

"We've got a great group of guys here," Drew said. "The chemistry is good, and you put in Nova throwing the ball well for us today; everybody seems to be locked in hitting. It makes for a tough combination on the other side."

Nova allowed five hits and walked two. He tied a season high with seven strikeouts, allowing just two runners in scoring position. The White Sox added two runs in the seventh inning on home runs from Alexei Ramirez and Geovany Soto, who his 100th career blast.

"Once they got out in front, it was tough to get back," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "If you are not sharp and on top of it, you are going to pay for it. And we did."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Batting around: The Yankees sent nine men to the plate in the fourth, scoring five runs off Samardzija. Gregorius completed a hot road trip by delivering another big hit, knocking home two runs with a , and Gardner also lined a two-run single. The big frame came after Ellsbury got the Yanks off to a quick start, slugging his 12th career leadoff homer and first of the season. Teixeira later homered, No. 29 of the season and his fifth in the last four games.

"That's what I tell everybody: it's a whole team," Gregorius said. "Sometimes the top wasn't doing anything, and then the bottom wasn't doing. But this whole road trip, it was top to bottom, everybody was doing the job, everybody was getting on base, everybody was scoring. So that's what we want; just keep it up." Cabrera's contributions: In a game where not much went the White Sox way, Melky Cabrera continued to supply offense and defense. Cabrera hit an RBI single in the sixth inning, having tallied an RBI in 13 of his last 15 games. He has 26 hits in that span, 13 for extra bases. And Cabrera supplied his defense in the sixth on a diving catch in left field to prevent further damage.

Super Nova: Any concerns about Nova were calmed by his sharp effort against the White Sox, following an outing at Texas in which he was limited to just 75 pitches due to what the team called "arm fatigue." Making his seventh start since returning from surgery, Chicago did not make Nova work exceptionally hard, as he rattled off six frames before handing the game over to the bullpen with a big lead.

"It was a really good team effort today," Nova said. "It's something you expect every time you go out there. You have to stay focused and keep pitching like it's a tied game. You can't tell yourself, 'I have a big lead, I'm going to relax.' You have to pitch as if it's a tied game."

Samardzija struggles: Following his best month of the season, Samardzija tied a season high with nine earned runs allowed. Samardzija put together a strong July as his name was discussed in trade rumors, but he couldn't piece everything together in his first start since Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. He had pitched at least seven innings in each start since June 7, but threw his shortest outing since August 2014 as he struggled to keep pitches down in the zone.

"Was putting too many guys on base for free," Samardzija said. "Especially against a lineup like that, you gotta get the outs and make them put it in play. ... I felt like I was in the stretch today pitching in tight spots all game instead of having a good rhythm and getting quick outs. They just made me battle."

QUOTABLE

"You can't keep it up for a long period of time. What's it been, three weeks to a month where they've been very, very solid, two, three, four-run games consistently, and that's given us a chance to win. As much as we'd love to have it for another week there's gonna be slips and falls every now and again." -- White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton, on his team's pitching struggling over the weekend

"I thought it was pretty good. You go three cities, you win two series and tie another series. Some late nights, some really long games, a lot of heat. I thought our guys did a really good job." -- Yankees manager , on the team's 6-4 road trip against the Twins, Rangers and White Sox

WHAT'S NEXT

Yankees: Following an off-day on Monday, the Yankees will open a three-game series in the Bronx against the Red Sox on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander (7-4, 3.80 ERA) will make his 15th start of the season, looking to snap a two-start losing skid. Tanaka is 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA in four career starts vs. Boston.

White Sox: Jose Quintana takes the mound in search of his third straight win when the White Sox host the Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday night. Quintana has thrown a quality start in five of his last six starts, allowing an average of two runs a game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT.

Soto hits 100th big league home run Reaches milestone with solo shot in seventh inning By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | August 2nd, 2015

CHICAGO -- Lost in the shuffle of a second big Yankees' victory over the White Sox -- 12-3 on Sunday -- in three games was Geovany Soto's 100th career home run.

That particular towering drive came in the seventh off Chasen Shreve, landing in the left-field stands at U.S. Cellular Field two batters after Alexei Ramirez homered in the third game of the last five he has played. Soto's eight homers over 127 at-bats put him behind only Jose Abreu (18 in 385), Adam Eaton (nine in 387) and Adam LaRoche (nine in 330) on the 2015 White Sox roster.

"Yeah, I feel pretty good about that," said Soto, whose career-high homer total of 23 came in '08 with the Cubs. "Obviously, I would rather have a win, but keep working hard."

Soto and Tyler Flowers have combined for 15 homers and 46 RBIs, while doing a solid job of handling the White Sox pitching staff. According to Soto, that work with the is just as important if not more than any offensive production.

"I really take pride in calling games, knowing the hitters, trying to get in a good rhythm for the pitcher," Soto said. "I feel like it's a plus. I come here and work hard whenever I'm in there, trying to help the ballclub to win."

Sunday stood as the career milestone for Soto, but he had another home run of interest earlier in the week. On Tuesday in Boston, Soto cleared the Green Monster and his homer broke the windshield of a car parked outside the ballpark.

"I'm so sorry for that," said a smiling Soto. "My wife actually called me and said, 'Hey you broke a windshield.' I've never had that before."

Quintana greets Rays in opener of three-game set By Greg Garno / MLB.com | August 2nd, 2015

The White Sox look for redemption against Tampa Bay when the Rays come to U.S. Cellular Field for a three-game series beginning on Monday. The Rays swept the White Sox in a three-game series during June, but will face off against a different team this week.

Chicago moved from fifth to third in the American League Central in that time behind improved performance in its defense and offense. Jose Quintana looks to build off a strong month of July on Monday. Quintana picked up three wins in six starts, tossing five quality starts in that span.

The Rays send Nathan Karns to the mound, looking to extend a two-game winning streak. Karns has allowed one in his last two starts, but he has struck out just seven batters during that span.

Things to know about this game

• Karns picked up a no-decision in his only outing against the White Sox this season. He allowed one run and seven hits in six innings of work on June 14, as the Rays came back to defeat the White Sox.

• Though Quintana hadn't received much run support all season, the offense provided help in July. Quintana received 30 runs of support, more than he had in May and June combined.

• Rays Asdrubal Cabrera returned from the disabled list on July 28, but he might take a day of rest with Quintana on the mound. Cabrera is 1-for-16 against Quintana, with one walk and five strikeouts.

Rejuvenated offense signals turnaround Contributions throughout lineup key to recent stretch By Greg Garno / MLB.com | August 2nd, 2015

CHICAGO -- There's been a lot of talk about hand signals around the White Sox lately. It's as if it's another language spoken only between White Sox players when they reach base.

Not even manager Robin Ventura fully understands what they all mean. Some are a simple rubbing of the head, other's mimic rocking a baby, but whatever they are, it's happening more often recently. After White Sox hitters struggled to find their offensive identity in the first half of the season, their patience is finally being rewarded at the plate.

"You're happy just because these guys are now happy," Ventura said. "For them, when they go to the plate and when they're playing the game, they feel like they can score. That's a fun way to play baseball."

Added catcher Geovany Soto: "Good things and bad things are going to happen on the field, but we try to stay positive, stay happy, and keep that chemistry on the team. We just try to have fun, try to keep it alive, and keep everybody paying attention."

In the 10 games prior to Sunday's 12-3 loss to the Yankees, the White Sox scored 70 runs.They began the month last in the Majors in runs scored, but had moved up four spots entering Sunday's game.

They won eight of those 10 games in that offensive stretch, moving to third in the American League Central. The clubhouse is still as loose as ever, and the hand signals continue to be a staple with players on the bases.

It's not just center fielder Adam Eaton's 11-game hitting streak or Jose Abreu's 13-game stretch. Nor is it solely the rejuvenation of shortstop Alexei Ramirez or Melky Cabrera's power surge.

"This is a team," said Abreu though interpreter Billy Russo. "You look at the performance of each one of the players, that gives you energy, that gives you confidence. That also helps you get better. If someone is doing well, you want to do as well as him. That's the key for our team."

And it's not as if the conversation has changed this season. It has just taken longer than expected for everything to develop. Ventura preached patience early on, reminding everyone if he had the answer, he would have used it already.

"We've kind of weathered the storm, and we're probably stronger for doing it," Ventura said. "When you weather it together, it's a team game. It's individual when you go to the plate, but there's something else going on when it becomes a team game and everybody feels like they're contributing."

And now that they do, even quiet players such as Carlos Sanchez or Avisail Garcia are getting in on the fun. Everyone has some part in this language now, and as long as the offense continues, it won't be slowing down.

"[Baseball] can wear on you, it can be hard, it can drop you to your knees when you're not scoring and you're not playing good defense," Ventura said. "There's more hand signals when you're hitting the ball. If you're not hitting the ball, well, there's no sense having hand signals."

White Sox's Melky Cabrera is on quite a roll Paul Skribina, Chicago Tribune | August 2, 2015

Melky Cabrera levitated into the White Sox clubhouse Sunday morning with a smile, his feet steering his self-balancing personal transporter through light traffic.

"It's a skateboard," Sox catcher Geovany Soto said with a shrug and a grin.

He was half-right about his teammate's mode of transportation, which is a futuristic-looking cross between a skateboard and a hoverboard.

Cabrera parked the shiny maroon, two-wheeled vehicle in front of his locker and changed into his work clothes for another day at his office. This one, a 12-3 loss to the Yankees, didn't go according to plan, but Cabrera had two hits and drove in the Sox's first run.

"He's always happy. He's always finding a way to keep the atmosphere loose and to keep everybody happy," Jose Abreu said through an interpreter. "His influence has been huge for us. That kind of personality is something you need in a team. I hope he can keep doing that." Cabrera has 11 multihit games in his last 15, during which he's batting .438 with three home runs, nine doubles and 19 RBIs.He has raised his batting average 61 points, from .236 to .287, since June 7 and has at least one RBI in 12 of his last 13 games.

"He's been in the middle of a lot of it," manager Robin Ventura said. "You feel pretty good with him and Jose back-to- back. … You get an opportunity with a couple guys on base, and Melky's been swinging it as good as anybody on our team."

After dropping two of three to the Yankees, the Sox have won eight of 11 and are averaging 6.6 runs in those games. They are 3½ games out of a wild-card spot, with five teams in front of them and the Rays coming to town Monday.

"You're happy just because these guys are now happy. They feel like they can score," Ventura said before Sunday's loss. "That's a fun way to play baseball."

As much as they know gain, Abreu and Cabrera know pain too.

Abreu limped back to the plate in the first inning Sunday after fouling a pitch off his left foot. He then limped to first base on a single to the center-field wall to extend his hitting streak to 13 games.

Cabrera ended the top of the sixth inning on his stomach, feet kicking in agony, after his diving catch on a ball hit by Chris Young. He followed with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

"What do you expect me to answer?" Sox center fielder Adam Eaton said. "Yeah, a guy goes down or he's hurt, you kind of hold your breath."

The Sox were able to exhale when both stayed in the game, much like Cabrera exhaled after taking some time to adjust to his new team.

"It's like everything in life. Your first steps, you are trying to get involved in the atmosphere and know each guy, but now he's one of us," Abreu said of Cabrera. "He is the leader because of his performance, because of his personality, because of how he is."

And because of how he rolls.

Roster move: The Sox optioned Scott Carroll to Triple-A Charlotte after Sunday's game. Carroll allowed three runs and struck out six in 41/3 innings Sunday and is 1-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 13 appearances this season. The team likely will call up Trayce Thompson, brother of the Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson, before Monday's game.

With back to wall, White Sox's Avisail Garcia gets job done Paul Skribina, Chicago Tribune | August 2, 2015

Avisail Garcia has played some of his best defense against the fence this season.

And there has been no need to exaggerate his catches of the day in right field, the most recent of which occurred Saturday. Back to the wall, Garcia cradled in his glove what would have been a go-ahead three-run home run by the Yankees' Didi Gregorius in the third inning. Instead, Gregorius was credited with a .

"He's a big kid that's athletic," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Garcia. "So he's able to get back far enough to be able to take those away. And they've been big ones.

"It changes the complexity of the game if that goes over the fence."

"If I would have hit a home run, yeah, we probably would have taken the lead and go from there," Gregorius told MLB.com. The Orioles' Chris Davis was victim No. 1, on July 4, when Garcia made a leap of fate against the right-field fence to rob fans of potential extra innings and Davis of a home run in the ninth inning. Garcia enthusiastically celebrated after sticking that landing and preserving a 3-2 victory.

Old home weekend: Yankees manager Joe Girardi hasn't forgotten his way around these parts. The former Cubs catcher was raised in East Peoria, Ill., and attended Northwestern.

These days, though, trips to Chicago aren't what they used to be.

"Mom and dad are gone," Girardi said, adding that two of his brothers attended Saturday's game. "I used to, when my father was still here. But now that he's gone, there's not really much there for us."

Girardi's father, Jerry, died in October 2012. He was 81. His mother, Angela, died of cancer in 1984.

Girardi said most of the family time isn't of the social variety, for maybe a breakfast here and there.

"Most of that happens at the ballpark. We really don't have a ton of time," he said. "For me to try to go out to Evanston, it's just really hard."

Girardi isn't the only Yankee with Chicago ties. Pitching Larry Rothschild, who held the same job with the Cubs for nine seasons, is a Homewood-Flossmoor graduate.

Sunday's recap: Yankees 12, White Sox 3 Paul Skribina, Chicago Tribune | August 2, 2015

Jeff Samardzija threw the first pitch at 1:10 p.m. Sunday. The White Sox starter's second pitch landed over the center- field wall at 1:11, thanks to Yankees leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. His third pitch, at 1:12, hit Brett Gardner in the right shin and the rout was on at U.S. Cellular Field, where the Sox fell 12-3 to drop the series 2-1.

At the plate

Jose Abreu extended his hitting streak to 13 games, and Adam Eaton his to 11 for the White Sox, who received solo home runs from Alexei Ramirez and Geovany Soto. Didi Gregorius and Brett Gardner each had two-RBI hits during the Yankees' five-run fourth.

On the mound

Samardzija's MLB season-high streak of 10 games of seven or more innings pitched ended when he was pulled after giving up nine runs, two walks, two home runs and hitting two in 42/3 innings.

The number

0.41 — Runs Samardzija's ERA went up, from 3.94 to 4.35.

The quote

"You always put it behind you — good or bad." Samardzija on his outing.

The quote II

"I'll take my chances with 'Shark' any time he goes out there." — Sox manager Robin Ventura on Samardzija

Up next

Vs. Rays, 7:10 p.m. Monday, WPWR-50. Series preview: Rays at White Sox Chicago Tribune | August 3, 2015

All games on WSCR-AM 670.

Season series: Tampa Bay 3-0.

Monday: 7:10 p.m., WPWR-50.

RH Nathan Karns (6-5, 3.37) vs. LH Jose Quintana (6-9, 3.52).

Tuesday: 7:10 p.m., CSN.

RH Chris Archer (9-8, 2.54) vs. LH Chris Sale (9-6, 3.20).

Wednesday: 1:10 p.m., CSN.

RH Erasmo Ramirez (8-4, 3.61) vs. LH Carlos Rodon (4-4, 4.84).

Who's hot: Melky Cabrera is batting .500 with 16 RBIs in his last 11 games and has an RBI in 12 of his last 13. Jose Abreu (13 games) and Adam Eaton (11 games) each have -digit hitting streaks. Alexei Ramirez has a home run in three of his last five games. The Rays' Asdrubal Cabrera is batting .400 with a 1.238 OPS in his last seven games.

Who's not: The Sox have lost six of seven at home. Tyler Saladino has just five hits in his last 29 at-bats (.172). The Rays' Kevin Kiermaier is batting .188 with five strikeouts in his last seven games.

White Sox' Melky Cabrera stays hot with two more hits Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun Times | August 2, 2015

Melky Cabrera went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Sunday, giving him at least one RBI in 12 of his last 13 games. He’s hitting .500 (23-for-46) in the last 11 games with 16 RBI.

The former Yankee also made a diving catch in left field to end the sixth inning.

‘‘He’s a great player, but he’s a better teammate,’’ Jose Abreu said. ‘‘He’s always trying to find a way to keep the atmosphere loose and to keep everybody happy. His influence has been huge for us.

‘‘In the beginning, he was trying to get to know everybody here, but it’s like everything in life. Your first steps, you’re trying to get involved and know each guy, but now he’s one of us.

‘‘He’s a leader because of his performance, his personality and because of how he is.’’

Yankees dandy

The White Sox were outscored 27-17 in the three-game series against the Yankees, who host the Sox for four games in September on the Sox’ last road trip of the season.

Only John Danks (one run in his 5⅔ innings Saturday) was able to hold the Yankees.

‘‘There are going to be periods when that happens,’’ manager Robin Ventura said of the weekend pitching and hitting woes. ‘‘This [Yankees] lineup can do it to you. If you aren’t sharp and on top of it, you’re going to pay for it. And we did.’’

Another big bat

Abreu extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he has hit .367 (18-for-49) with four home runs and 16 RBI. ‘‘We’re a team, and we’re all hitting the ball very well now,’’ he said. ‘‘You feel good with the performance of each player, and that gives you energy. It gives you confidence and helps you do well. You want to do as well as everyone. That’s a key for a team. That’s how a team is supposed to feel.

‘‘My wish is that we can carry this momentum to the end of the season.’’

Ray guns

The Rays come to town next as a sub-.500 team (52-54), but they have dominated the Sox, sweeping a three-game series in June at Tropicana Field.

They’re 13-11 against the Sox since 2012, including a 6-6 record at U.S. Cellular Field.

Roster move

Reliever Scott Carroll, who gave up three runs and three hits in 41⁄3 innings, was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte after the game. The Sox will recall a position player Monday.

Crowded house

The three-game series drew 103,578, and the game Sunday was a sellout at 38,840. It was the Sox’ third sellout of the season.

Robin Ventura says surviving rough first three months could make White Sox stronger Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun Times | August 2, 2015

The bad first three months of the White Sox’ season might turn out to be the best thing that could’ve happened to them.

That’s how manager Robin Ventura and his players are looking at what’s ahead as they attempt to beat the odds to reach the playoffs.

‘‘It’s been so mentally grinding to get to this point, and now it’s starting to click, and you like how it is,’’ Ventura said Sunday. ‘‘Other teams might have had it easier and feel it’s getting to the grind part of the season now.

‘‘Right now, we’re probably better off having gone through what we did together. We weathered a storm and got through it together.

‘‘For us, having that behind you — the hardest part — can help. This feeling now [going 18-11 since June 30], that can help get you through August and September.’’

Ventura believes keeping Jeff Samardzija matters, too.

‘‘You know what you have, and it would have taken away from it if Jeff was traded,’’ he said. ‘‘It doesn’t seem like you’re getting better if you take away a Jeff Samardzija.’’

Even after Samardzija suffered his shortest outing of the season in a 12-3 drubbing by the Yankees, Ventura was sticking by his starter.

‘‘They beat us,’’ Ventura said. ‘‘We have to get ready for tomorrow. But I’ll take my chances with Shark anytime he goes out there.’’

Samardzija was riding an impressive streak of 10 games in which he pitched at least seven innings and had posted a 2.27 ERA in his last five starts (3-1) since July 4.

But Jacoby Ellsbury put Samardzija and the Sox in an immediate hole with his 12th career leadoff home run, and they added eight more runs before Samardzija left in the fifth. ‘‘You’ve got to move on from it,’’ Samardzija said. ‘‘It’s not what we wanted. I put too many guys on base for free, for sure.’’

Samardzija (8-6) was making his first start since the trade deadline. He had been the prime topic of trade speculation before general manager Rick Hahn decided against any moves.

The Sox have moved up in the hunt for the second wild-card spot, but they’re still a sub-.500 team and have been since mid-May.

‘‘We know our backs are up against the wall, and we need to win as many as possible as soon as possible,’’ Samardzija said. ‘‘The same thing applies for me that applies to everybody. Show up and turn the page and go get them tomorrow.’’

The last months of the season heighten the playoff races, but August can be the most difficult before the ‘‘September push.’’

‘‘Everyone knows August is a difficult month in the schedule because you’re entering the last two months, and teams are getting hot and the competition is hot,’’ Jose Abreu said. ‘‘You have to keep your focus because this is what you play for. You work hard to have this moment, and you have to keep working hard.’’

As good as their 7-1 road trip was, the Sox have had problems keeping up the pace at home.

They have lost six of the last seven at home against the Yankees, Cardinals and Royals — all division leaders.

They’ll play the Royals again and the West Division-contending Angels in the next two weeks.

‘‘It’s not early, and it’s not halfway anymore,’’ said Adam Eaton, who’s on an 11-game hitting streak. ‘‘We’re getting toward the homestretch. I wouldn’t say there’s urgency, but you come ready to play every day. We’ve got to keep pushing. We need to have a bit of ‘Hey, let’s get going. Let’s have a good game.’ We’ve been playing some good baseball the last two weeks, but we’ve got to keep pushing.’’

White Sox option Scott Carroll to Triple-A Charlotte David Just, Chicago Sun Times | August 2, 2015

Scott Carroll was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte after Sunday’s 12-3 blowout loss to the Yankees, the White Sox announced.

Carroll pitched the final 4 1/3 innings of Sunday’s game, allowing two of Jeff Samardzija’s stranded runners to cross the plate and then giving up three more runs, two of which were earned.

The right-hander has gone 1-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 13 relief appearances for the Sox in three separate stints with the big- league club.

The Sox will make a corresponding roster move Monday before the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Samardzija, Sox pounded by Yankees Scot Gregor, Daily Herald | August 2, 2015

Before Sunday afternoon's game against the at U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura said it was a relief to see Jeff Samardzija remain on the roster as Friday's nonwaiver trade deadline passed.

"It would take away from it if Jeff would have been traded," Ventura said. "There would have been no way around acting like you're getting better if you trade Jeff Samardzija."

Pitching matchups: The Sox' Jose Quintana (6-9) vs. Nathan Karns (6-5) today at 7:10 p.m.; Chris Sale (9-6) vs. Chris Archer (9-8) Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.; Carlos Rodon (4-4) vs. Erasmo Ramirez (8-4) Wednesday at 1:10 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox lost two of three to the Yankees at the Cell over the weekend and have dropped seven of their last nine at home. Like the Sox, the Rays are battling for a wild-card spot. They beat Boston on Sunday to snap a three-game losing streak. Rookie right fielder Steven Souza, who leads Tampa Bay with 15 home runs, went on the disabled list Sunday with a fractured left hand. The Rays swept a three-game series from the White Sox at Tampa Bay in mid-June. Quintana is 4-4 with a 2.77 ERA in his last 12 starts.

Much of Ventura's opinion was based on Samardzija's recent run of success, including 10 straight starts pitching 7 or more innings -- the longest streak in the major leagues this season.

The surge came to a crashing halt in the Sox' 12-3 loss to the Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field.

In his first appearance since the deadline, Samardzija had one of his worst starts of the season.

"It's not what we wanted," Samardzija said after allowing 9 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 4⅔ innings. "I put too many guys on base for free, for sure. Especially against a lineup like that, you've got to get the outs and make them put it in play."

One thing is crystal clear about Samardzija in his first year with the White Sox. He is not nearly as effective when runners are on base and he has to pitch out of the stretch.

New York, which has one of baseball's better offenses, set the tone for the game early when leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury hit Samardzija's second pitch of the game over the center-field fence.

The Yankees scored 5 runs on 5 hits in the fourth inning to break it open.

"It was having runners on," Samardzija said. "When I'm in the windup feeling good, it's the way you want it to be. Keep the stretch to a minimum. I felt like we were just in the stretch and pitching in tight spots the whole game instead of just having a good rhythm and getting quick outs. They just made me battle."

The White Sox are still battling to grab a wild-card start, and losing two of three to the Yankees at home did not help the cause.

"We have a first-place team over there (N.Y.) and they have a great lineup," said Sox catcher Geovany Soto, who hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, the 100th of his career. "We lost two out of three but we're going to keep battling, keep trying to win series and see where we are in September."

Strong starting pitching has helped keep the White Sox' faint playoff hopes alive, but Samardzija, Carlos Rodon and Chris Sale were all roughed up the last time they were on the mound.

"These things happen," Samardzija said. "The thing is you need to stop it. You don't let it snowball. We have a great guy going tomorrow in Q (Jose Quintana) and Sale after him. That's the great thing with staff, if one guy has a down day there are four other guys to pick him up. We'll expect great things out of Q tomorrow."

Red-hot Cabrera also helping Chicago White Sox stay cool Scot Gregor, Daily Herald | August 2, 2015

Through the first three months of the season, Melky Cabrera did very little to help the White Sox.

Despite signing with the Sox in December with the reputation of being a standout major-league hitter, Cabrera was batting .252 with 2 home runs and 26 RBI at the end of June and looked like a $42 million bust.

That changed in July, when the 30-year-old left fielder took off and hit .369 with 4 homers and 23 RBI.

Cabrera has stayed hot in August and is batting .500 (23-46) over his last 11 games. Not only did Cabrera perk up the White Sox' offense, he lightened the mood on the field and in the clubhouse.

"He does a great job," manager Robin Ventura said. "At first, it's tough to do that when you feel like you're not pulling your weight at times. He's been a great teammate all year. Now, it's just easier for guys to let it go and get the same feeling from him when he's doing well.

"They react to him the same way. It's been a nice little run for him the same way, not only on the field and hitting, but what he does inside the clubhouse as well."

In May, the White Sox started making stirring hand gestures when they reached base in a mocking tribute to Adam Eaton.

But Cabrera kept adding different gestures when he got it going with the bat in July and his teammates have followed suit.

"Melky, he's a great player, but he's a better teammate," Ventura said. "He's always happy. He's always trying to find a way to keep the atmosphere loose and to keep everybody happy. His influence has been huge for us. That kind of personality is something that you need in a team, and I hope he can continue doing that."

Cabrera, who hails from the , does not speak English. But as he has been showing, communication is not a problem.

"Probably in the beginning, because it was his first time here, it's like everything in life," Jose Abreu said through a translator. "Your first steps, you are trying to get involved in the atmosphere and know each guy, but now he's one of us.

"He probably is the leader in everything that we are doing. He is the leader, because of his performance, because of his personality, because of how he is."

Roster move:

After pitching 4⅓ innings of relief Sunday against the Yankees, Scott Carroll was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte.

The White Sox will make a corresponding roster move before Monday's game against Tampa Bay, and outfielder Trayce Thompson is expected to join the 25-man roster from Charlotte.

Jones watch:

Having a beefed up bullpen is important for any team trying to make a playoff run this time of the season, and the Sox are close to adding Nate Jones.

Positioned to take over as the White Sox' last year, Jones went down with a hip injury in April and wound up having Tommy John surgery in late July.

Jones has been on a lengthy rehabilitation assignment with Winston-Salem and AAA Charlotte, and he is making positive strides.

"I know he's doing well," manager Robin Ventura said. "Every time he goes out there it's not like he's getting extended (in the inning), that's how well he's doing. I think that's part of having him go back out there, and you want him to get to a point where you can get him multiple innings and extend him somewhat."

Jones had 6 straight scoreless appearances with Charlotte before he allowed 1 run on 1 hit in 1⅓ in innings with 3 strikeouts Sunday.

Scott Carroll optioned, Trayce Thompson expected to take his place Doug Padilla, ESPN.com | August 2, 2015 CHICAGO -- After saving the bullpen with an impressive 4 1/3 innings of relief Sunday, the Chicago White Sox optioned right-hander Scott Carroll back to Triple-A Charlotte following a defeat to the New York Yankees.

When outfielder J.B. Shuck suffered a strained hamstring Friday and was placed on the disabled list, Carroll was expected to be a stop-gap emergency measure for a bullpen that was strained during a rough 13-6 defeat to the Yankees on Friday.

Carroll came in handy when he was able to throw 78 pitches Sunday following a disappointing outing from starter Jeff Samardzija in Sunday's 12-3 loss to New York.

The White Sox did not announce a corresponding roster move, but they are expected to recall outfielder Trayce Thompson, who has no major league experience. Thompson is the brother of the Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson, who sent out a congratulatory note over in regard to his brother this weekend before quickly deleting it.

Trayce Thompson, who was a Triple-A all-star this season, has not played in Charlotte's past two games as he is believed to be en route to Chicago. The former second-round draft pick in 2009 is batting .264 with a .419 slugging percentage at Charlotte and has 13 home runs and 39 RBIs with 11 stolen bases.

Improved Chicago White Sox pitching staff hits a bump in the road Doug Padilla, ESPN.com | August 2, 2015

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox would like to look at the just-completed weekend series against the New York Yankees as a temporary snafu in an otherwise impressive run of pitching.

The reality is that the pitching staff not only was defeated twice by the Yankees this weekend, the most recent a 12-3 rout on Sunday, they were manhandled. Only John Danks came away unscathed, although Scott Carroll was impressive in a mop-up role Sunday.

Before rookie Carlos Rodon was roughed up in Friday's series opener, White Sox pitchers had delivered a 2.81 ERA since June 30, the second lowest mark in baseball over that month-long stretch.

Then Rodon gave up eight runs in three innings Friday and Jeff Samardzija was roughed up for nine runs over 4⅔ innings Sunday. All told, the Yankees outscored the White Sox 27-17 in the series, which means their opponent averaged nine runs a game.

"These things happen," said Samardzija, who was pitching two days after the non-waiver trade deadline passed. "The thing is, you need to stop it. You don't let it snowball. We have a great guy going [Monday in Jose Quintana] and [Chris] Sale after him. That's the great thing with [this] staff, if one guy has a down day there are four other guys to pick him up. We'll expect great things out of Q tomorrow."

Perhaps the White Sox expended so much energy trying to win games before the trade deadline that they hit somewhat of a lull once it passed. It didn't help that they were facing a Yankees lineup with a patient approach that waits out pitchers until they get a good pitch.

"It's tough," manager Robin Ventura said. "There's going to be periods where that happens. And this is a lineup that can do it to you. If you are not sharp and on top of it, you are going to pay for it. And we did."

Even though the offense has been better, it was in no way good enough to overcome the damage the Yankees did in the series. Still, 17 runs in three games against a first-place team is something the White Sox wouldn't have been able to do as recently as two or three weeks ago.

The sense was that an improved offense merged with the productive staff was a combination for winning. That can still happen, it just didn't happen against the Yankees, and more playoff contending teams await on the schedule like the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, and . "You can't keep [that pitching] up for a long period of time," leadoff man Adam Eaton said. "What's it been, three weeks to a month were they've been very, very solid? Two-, three-, four-run games consistently and that's given us a chance to win. As much as we'd love to have it for another week there's gotta be slips and falls every now and again. We're thrilled with our pitching staff and what they've done for us."

Even in Sunday's defeat, positive signs from the offense emerged. Melky Cabrera had another multi-hit game, his ninth over his past 11 contests. And catcher Geovany Soto hit his fourth home run in his past six starts, with Sunday's long ball representing the 100th of his career.

"I feel we have a great team and we can compete against anybody," Soto said. "I feel like a lot of these guys in this clubhouse were determined to compete and we have to go play. I feel that against anybody we match up well. I feel we have a great team here."

In the grand scheme of things, losing two of three to a first-place team shouldn't be doom and gloom, but with the hole the White Sox dug for themselves, they can't be losing a series if they want to turn themselves into surprise contenders.

"It's not early, it's not halfway anymore and we're getting toward the home stretch," Eaton said. "I wouldn't say there's urgency. But come ready to play every day. We gotta keep pushing as much as we [can]. We need to have a little bit of, 'Hey, let's get going, let's have a good game. We could have a good day today and start winning some ballgames.' We've been playing some good baseball the last two weeks but we gotta keep pushing."

Samardzija's outing ended his run of 10 consecutive starts with seven innings or more. The White Sox are going to need him to start another lengthy run like that through the end of the season.

There might be two months to play for everybody else, but the White Sox have no choice but to act like the season is on the line now.

"We know our backs are up against the up wall and we need to win as many as possible as soon as possible," Samardzija said. "The same thing applies for me that applies to everybody. Show up and turn the page and go get them tomorrow. We have a new series and another chance to win a series."

Yankees rough up Samardzija, beat White Sox 12-3 Associated Press, ESPN.com | August 2, 2015

CHICAGO -- From Jacoby Ellsbury all the way down to Stephen Drew at the bottom of the lineup, the New York Yankees bashed their way to a winning road trip.

Ellsbury and Mark Teixeira homered against Jeff Samardzija, and the Yankees pounded the Chicago White Sox 12-3 on Sunday.

Drew added three hits and four RBI, helping the AL East-leading Yankees close out a 6-4 trip to Minnesota, Texas and Chicago -- matching a season long. Chase Headley, Didi Gregorius and Drew -- the bottom three hitters in the order -- combined for seven hits, six RBI and eight runs scored.

"Outstanding job by our offense today," manager Joe Girardi said.

New York also got a lift from Ivan Nova (4-3), who pitched six innings of five-hit ball in his third consecutive victory. Nova's previous start on Monday at Texas was cut short by arm fatigue, a condition he contributed to his comeback from Tommy John surgery in April 2014.

Chicago was coming off an 8-2 victory on Saturday night and averaged seven runs in its previous 10 games, but Nova allowed just one run on Melky Cabrera's RBI single in the sixth.

"Feeling good was something I was expecting after the fatigue I had last time out," Nova said. "I got to get out because I was a little bit tired and being able to go six innings and feel good, that's real important." Samardzija (8-6) was tagged for nine runs, matching a season high, and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Samardzija, who is eligible for free agency after the season, also walked two and hit two batters in his first start since the White Sox decided to keep the right-hander at Friday's non-waiver trade deadline.

"I put too many guys on base for free, for sure," Samardzija said. "Especially against a lineup like that, you've got to get the outs and make them put it in play."

Ellsbury drove Samardzija's second pitch of the game over the wall in center for his first leadoff homer of the season and No. 12 for his career. He also had a sacrifice fly in New York's five-run fourth inning and a run-scoring groundout in the seventh.

Teixeira led off the fifth with his 29th homer, a 415-foot drive to right on a 3-1 pitch. The slugger connected from both sides of the plate in New York's 13-6 victory in the series opener on Friday night and had five homers in the last four games of the road trip.

A two-out walk for Gregorius sent Samardzija to the dugout, and Drew greeted Scott Carroll with a two-run double. Drew also had a two-run triple against Carroll in the seventh.

"This whole road trip, from top to bottom, everybody was doing their job," Gregorius said. "Everybody's getting on base. Everybody's scoring, so that's what we want."

Alexei Ramirez and Geovany Soto homered for Chicago, and Jose Abreu extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in the first.

SIR DIDI

Gregorius went 2 for 4 with two RBI and scored three times. The slick-fielding shortstop is batting .472 (17 for 36) in his last 11 games.

WORTH NOTING

The Yankees begin a six-game homestand on Tuesday night against the Red Sox. The series finale against the White Sox was their last game of the regular season outside of the Eastern time zone.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: Reliever Diego Moreno (right elbow inflammation) was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Girardi said he will be examined by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad on Monday. "It's unfortunate," Girardi said. "Hopefully it's not long." RHP Branden Pinder was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. ... RF Carlos Beltran returned to the lineup after missing Saturday's game with a sore left foot. ... LHP CC Sabathia remains on track to start Thursday against Boston. Sabathia was taken to a hospital with symptoms of dehydration after pitching five-plus innings in a 7-6 loss at the Rangers last Thursday.

White Sox: Manager Robin Ventura said RHP Nate Jones is doing well on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte. Jones had Tommy John surgery a year ago. "You want him to get to a point where you can get him multiple innings and extend him somewhat," Ventura said. "Because that's going to happen here, it always does."

Yankees: Following an off day, RHP Masahiro Tanaka (7-4, 3.80 ERA) gets the ball for the Yankees in the series opener against the Red Sox.

White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana (6-9, 3.52 ERA) goes for his third straight win when Chicago opens a three-game set against Tampa Bay on Monday night. RHP Nathan Karns (6-5, 3.37 ERA) also tries for his third consecutive victory for the Rays.

Rapid Reaction: Yankees 12, White Sox 3 Doug Padilla, ESPN.com | August 2, 2015

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox fell 12-3 to the New York Yankees on Sunday, losing their third consecutive home series.

How it happened: Jeff Samardzija was roughed up by the Yankees, giving up nine runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. The Yankees broke it open during a five-run fourth inning when they got two-run singles from both Didi Gregorius and Brett Gardner. Mark Teixeira and Jacoby Ellsbury hit home runs for the Yankees. The White Sox ended the shutout bid when Melky Cabrera delivered an RBI single in the sixth inning. Alexei Ramirez and Geovany Soto hit home runs for the White Sox. Cabrera had his ninth multihit game over his last 11 contests.

What it means: Two days after he found out he would not be traded to a contender, Samardzija delivered his worst start in two months. His nine runs allowed matched a rough start he had at Texas on June 2. His 4 2/3-inning outing snapped a streak of 10 consecutive starts in which he lasted seven innings or more. Scott Carroll saved the bullpen, throwing 78 pitches over 4 1/3 innings.

Outside the box: The White Sox have been impressive on the road of late, they just can’t do any damage at home. The White Sox are now a disappointing 2-7 at home since the All-Star break. On the road, however, they are 7-1 in the second half and 11-2 going back to June 30. The White Sox are just 25-24 at home this season, while going 25-29 in road games.

Off beat: Some hands-on fans made an impact on Sunday’s game, although it wasn’t as bad as it could have been since it was a runaway game. Early in the game, Tyler Saladino was denied a catch along the rail beyond the White Sox’s dugout when a fan reached out and knocked the ball away. In the seventh inning, Adam Eaton seemed to have a sure triple, but a fan got his hand on the live ball down the right-field line. Eaton was sent back to second and appeared to glare in the direction of the stands where the ball was touched.

Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander Jose Quintana (6-9, 3.52 ERA) to the mound Monday against Tampa Bay in the opener of a three-game series. The Rays will counter with right-hander Nathan Karns (6-5, 3.37) in the 7:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

Nate Jones continues to make inpressive strides Doug Padilla, ESPN.com | August 2, 2015

CHICAGO -- Even though the Chicago White Sox didn’t make a move by Friday’s non-waiver trade deadline, it does not mean reinforcements are not on the way.

Nate Jones, who hasn’t pitched in over a year because of a back injury and then Tommy John surgery, looks close to a return to the bullpen. The right-hander, who has been clocked as high as 100 mph with his , is having his way in the for Triple-A Charlottte.

In five rehab appearances with the Knights, Jones has not given up a run and has allowed just two hits. He has walked two, with one .

“I know he’s doing well,” manager Robin Ventura said. “Every time he goes out there it’s not like he’s getting extended [in the inning], that’s how well he’s doing. I think that’s part of having him go back out there, and you want him to get to a point where you can get him multiple innings and extend him somewhat.”

Jones’ Tommy John surgery took place July 29 of last year and recovery was expected to take a full year, so he remains on schedule. Even when he arrives back to the major leagues, the White Sox have the advantage of getting him back in the mix slowly. David Robertson, Zach Duke, Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka all are pitching well out of the bullpen meaning that Jones can ease himself in at a gradual pace.

When he returns, Jones will join a bullpen that has held opponents to a .191 batting average over the past 25 games since June 30. The bullpen’s 2.39 ERA over that stretch is the lowest in the American League and third lowest in baseball.

Melky Cabrera's way signals whole new approach Doug Padilla, ESPN.com | August 2, 2015

CHICAGO – Sometimes hand signals can say a thousand words, like with the Chicago White Sox, who are making an art form out of non-verbal gestures.

It started early in the season when players reached base and pretended to stir a drink. Gordon Beckham went as far as to churn butter when he delivered a game-ending hit on Mother’s Day.

Melky Cabrera is batting .500 over his past 10 games. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

That "stirring" signal was in reference to some Adam Eaton quotes early in the season. When discussing his struggles, Eaton referred to himself as the straw that should be stirring the White Sox’s drink. The players still haven't let him hear the end of it, and even Eaton himself uses an index-finger stir stick now.

White Sox players still stir the drink when they reach base, but more hand and arm gestures are being thrown into the mix.

Melky Cabrera stretches his arms wide like an airplane, Carlos Sanchez looks like he is rocking a baby, and Jose Abreu has been seen taking a swig from an imaginary cup from time to time, among some of the new gestures that have surfaced.

Sanchez came clean Sunday saying his baby-rocking gesture is in reference to his young son. “He’s too young right now to understand that, but it’s something I love to do,” Sanchez said through an interpreter.

Cabrera’s airplane wings are said to be in reference to third-base coach Joe McEwing, who stretches his arms out wide when signaling to players on base how many outs there are in the inning.

What seems clear, now that the White Sox are delivering offensively, is that all the hand signals show the club is finally having some fun and it all starts with Cabrera, whose offense is off the charts these days. Cabrera struggled for the first three months but started heating up in July and now has eight multi-hit games over his last 10 contests.

“Melky … he’s a great player, but he’s a better teammate,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “He’s always happy. He’s always trying to find a way to keep the atmosphere loose and to keep everybody happy. His influence has been huge for us. That kind of personality is something that you need in a team, and I hope he can continue doing that, because that’s very important for us.”

Over those last 10 games, Cabrera is batting a robust .500 (21-for-42), with eight doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs. Over his last 35 games he is batting .380 (52-for-137) with 15 doubles, six home runs and 29 RBIs.

It’s a long way from the opening two months when he couldn’t buy an extra-base hit.

And now that Cabrera has settled in offensively with a team he joined this winter, it has helped him to be free with his personality.

“At first, it’s tough to be like that when you feel like you’re not pulling your wait at times,” manager Robin Ventura said. “And he was good with it either way. He’s been a great teammate all year. Now, it’s just easier for guys to let it go and get the same feeling from him when he’s doing well. “They react to him the same way. It’s been a nice little run for him the same way, not only on the field and hitting, but what he does inside the clubhouse as well.”

For Cabrera to finally get his season turned around is one thing. For him to bring guys like Sanchez and Abreu out of their shells and show some personality of their own on the field has been something else entirely. He is proving to be an infectious guy in more ways than one.

“We’re enjoying every moment right now, every base hit, every homer, every strikeout from our pitchers,” Sanchez said. “Whatever we do well, we’re enjoying. The atmosphere is different because the team is finally getting better and the results are there.

“We have a bunch of guys who are excited and Melky, of course, he is always doing something to make it a loose atmosphere. He is a great player. He has experience and he has been very helpful for us this season and this last month.”

White Sox stay level-headed as playoff race hits August JJ Stankevitz, CSN | August 2, 2015

The White Sox recognize they’re in a race against time to make a playoff push. But, as they’ve done all year, this is a group of players that's staying level-headed through both the good and the bad.

On Sunday, it was more of the bad side of the White Sox as Jeff Samardzija was torched for nine runs in a 12-3 loss to the New York Yankees in front of a sellout crowd of 38,840 at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox weren’t able to take a series from the American League East leaders and remain three and a half games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second wild card spot.

“We are going to put this one behind us,” manager Robin Ventura said. “They beat us and we’ve got to get ready for tomorrow. I’ll take my chances with Shark anytime he goes out there.”

The White Sox decided to hang on to Samardzija and stand pat at the trade deadline after winning seven straight games last month, which vaulted them from the periphery to the center of the American League wild card race. Even though they’re three games under .500, the White Sox are in contention for a postseason berth with its competition a rickety Twins club, a Tigers team that sold , Joakim Soria and Yoenis Cespedes last week, a middling Rangers side needing a boost from Cole Hamels and an AL East that could cannibalize its wild card contenders.

Still, a sub-optimal first half put the White Sox in an unenviable position in which they can’t afford to let three losses in their last four games grow into something more damaging.

“We know our backs are up against the wall and we need to win as many as possible as soon as possible,” Samardzija said. “The same thing applies for me that applies to everybody. Show up and turn the page and go get them tomorrow. We have a new series and another chance to win a series.”

Samardzija was tagged for nine runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, with the Yankees plating eight of those runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Despite beating New York, 8-2, Saturday night, the White Sox were outscored by 16 runs in their last four games.

Things don’t get any easier for the White Sox after the Yankees leave town. A three-game home series against the fellow wild card contending Tampa Bay Rays begins Monday, and after that the White Sox play 13 consecutive games against teams currently over .500 (three at the Kansas City Royals, three vs. the Los Angeles Angels, three vs. the Cubs, four at the Angels).

We’ll have a good idea by the middle of August if the team’s seven-game winning streak was the product of playing last- place teams in Cleveland and Boston or if it really was a sign of things turning around on 35th and Shields.

“I feel that these guys have been playing great baseball,” catcher Geovany Soto said. “We have a first-place team (the Yankees) over there and they have a great lineup. We lost two out of three but we’re going to keep battling, keep trying to win series and see where we are in September.” But at some point, the White Sox won’t be able to shrug off blowout losses. The White Sox have 59 games left and would have to go 38-21 to win 88 games, the total Oakland had to clinch the second AL wild card spot in 2014. Even if it takes fewer wins to get into the one-game wild card playoff this year, the White Sox still likely will need about a .600 winning percentage down the stretch to have a shot at playing deep into October.

There's a confidence in the White Sox clubhouse, though, that this team has the players necessary to negotiate the day- to-day grind of a playoff race in August and September.

“We have a great team and we can compete against anybody,” Soto said. “I feel like a lot of these guys in this clubhouse were determined to compete and we have to go play. I feel that against anybody we match up well.”

Struggling Avisail Garcia makes an impact robbing home runs JJ Stankevitz, CSN | August 2, 2015

Avisail Garcia isn’t producing at the level the White Sox hoped he would, but he’s still found a way to make a positive impact on two games with his play in the field.

Specifically, Garcia has robbed two home runs this summer, both of them in key situations. He took away what would’ve been a ninth inning, game-tying home run off the bat of first baseman Chris Davis on July 4, and on Saturday against the New York Yankees he leaped to keep Didi Gregorius’ deep fly ball in the park.

Had Gregorious’ drive landed in the right field bullpen instead of Garcia’s glove, New York would’ve taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the third that would’ve altered how starter John Danks fared against the American League East leaders.

“He’s a big kid that’s athletic, so he’s able to get back far enough to be able to take those away,” manager Robin Ventura said. “And they’ve been big ones for us. The one in the ninth inning against Baltimore was a big one and then last night, it changes the complexity of that game if that goes over the fence.”

Still, Garcia is rated by FanGraphs’ WAR as the third-worst position player this season (-0.9 WAR, tied with Boston’s Hanley Ramirez and ’s Nick Castellanos). He has the third-worst UZR (-5.3) and second-worst defensive runs saved (-9) among qualified right fielders. At the plate, he’s hitting .264 with a .670 OPS and has a .253/.295/.283 slash line since the start of July. Ventura said the 24-year-old Garcia’s issues come with this being his first full season in the major leagues.

“It’s very rare when a guy gets in the league in his first year and doesn’t have a moment or two that he goes through some struggles,” Ventura said. “He has to be able to learn, you have to withstand it and still keep your confidence and grind through it. It’s hard. It’s a hard game and you’re facing the best pitchers in the world every night.”

The White Sox dug a deep hole in the season’s first three months and need all the wins they can get in August and September to gain solid footing in the AL playoff race. For all of Garcia’s deficiencies this season, those home runs he’s robbed may have saved two wins for the White Sox — wins the team, at this point, couldn’t afford to have turned into losses.

“I try to play good defense and something for my team,” Garcia said. “If I’m not hitting, I like to play good defense because that helps the team a lot.”

Melky Cabrera emerging as clubhouse leader for White Sox JJ Stankevitz, CSN | August 2, 2015

Melky Cabrera is doing more for the White Sox than powering a lineup that’s pushed the White Sox to eight wins in their last 10 games.

The 30-year-old outfielder, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal in December, has begun to fill the leadership void in the White Sox clubhouse. Cabrera’s pushed the various hand gestures — like stirring the drink — that White Sox players use after getting big hits.

“He’s a great player, but he’s a better teammate,” first baseman Jose Abreu said through a translator. “He’s always happy. He’s always trying to find a way to keep the atmosphere loose and to keep everybody happy. His influence has been huge for us. That kind of personality is something that you need in a team, and I hope he can continue doing that, because that’s very important for us.

“… He is the leader, because of his performance, because of his personality, because of how he is. That’s the key for him and he’s a huge, huge influence for us.”

Over his last 47 games entering Sunday, Cabrera is hitting .358 with a .980 OPS. He has six home runs, 18 doubles, two triples and 35 RBIs, and it’s no coincidence the White Sox are 25-22 during his resurgence.

The White Sox have scored 70 runs over their last 10 games, with Cabrera driving in 15 (21 percent of the total) and posting a 1.486 OPS. His on-fire stretch has upped his season slash line from an awful .226/.263/.258 to respectable .285/.325/.403.

It’s unfair to expect him to keep hitting at a level that would make Barry Bonds look weak, but manager Robin Ventura anticipates Cabrera will continue to be a big part of the White Sox August and September playoff push both as a hitter and a clubhouse voice. “At first, it’s tough to be that (leader) when you feel like you’re not pulling your weight at times,” Ventura said. “And he was good with it either way. He’s been a great teammate all year. Now, it’s just easier for guys to let it go and get the same feeling from him when he’s doing well. They react to him the same way. It’s been a nice little run for him the same way, not only on the field and hitting, but what he does inside the clubhouse as well.”

With so many new players at the start of the season, it took a little while for this group to jell. Playing better — especially on defense — has helped, but Cabrera’s helped bring his teammates together as well.

“It’s team-wide, it’s not limited to just a couple guys, or just limited to guys who speak Spanish,” Ventura said. “It’s all the way around. I think everybody seems to be gravitating towards that. And he’s able to handle it, deal with it, and be able to really keep the focus on the game and having fun.”

Billy Pierce squared off against Satchel Paige in an epic 11 inning showdown Nick Diunte, Examiner.com | August 1, 2015

Billy Pierce, the Chicago White Sox pitching legend, passed away Friday July 31, 2015 in Palos Heights, Illinois due to complications from gallbladder cancer. He was 88.

Acquired during a trade in the 1948 offseason from the for catcher Aaron Robinson, Pierce started a 13- year run in Chicago where he emerged as one of the most successful pitchers in franchise history. Early in his tenure with the White Sox, Pierce quickly wrote himself into the record books in an epic 11-inning contest against Satchel Paige’s .

On May 29, 1949, the 23-year-old lefty squared off the legendary Paige, who was almost twice Pierce’s age. They met during the second game of a doubleheader at Cleveland Stadium in front of a sizable crowd of 47,769 fans. They eagerly awaited this matchup of the budding star facing one of the game’s most storied pitchers.

In 2010, I spoke with Pierce about this game at the Baseball Assistance Team Dinner in . He excitedly recalled how his wife came with his parents from their home in Detroit to see the game. “My wife [Gloria] came over with my mother and dad from Detroit to Cleveland to watch the game,” he said in 2010. “We go on, one inning, two innings, three innings — it gets to be about the sixth inning and we’re tied 1-1.”

Gloria, who was shaken by the suspense of the game, was approached by a Cleveland fan. He assured her that the elder Paige would not be able to keep up with her husband.

“A Cleveland fan came up to her and said, ‘Honey, don’t worry, Satchel will collapse and he will quit.’ It ends up in the 11th inning, he beat me 2-1. He didn’t collapse,” he said.

Pierce started the bottom of the 11th against the Indians, but after he loaded the bases to three straight batters, White Sox manager Jack Onslow replaced him with Ed Klieman. After retiring the next batter, Paige was due to bat, but Indians manager had one more trick up his sleeve. The player-manager inserted himself as a pinch-hitter for Paige and promptly singled home the winning run. After eleven innings, Paige emerged with a victory.

While Pierce admitted that he was fortunate to even have the opportunity to go up against Paige, he wished he could have been with the White Sox the year prior when the crowds rushed to see the American League’s first African-American pitcher.

“When he first pitched in Chicago, I wasn’t there, that was the year before. They tore the gates down; it was just jammed to see Satchel Paige.”

Rays-White Sox Preview Associated Press, FoxSports.com | August 2, 2015

The Chicago White Sox often have failed to score enough runs to back solid efforts from Jose Quintana throughout the season.

That hasn't been the case lately, though.

The left-hander looks to help the White Sox avoid a fourth loss in five games in the opener of a three-game series with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Quintana (6-9, 3.52 ERA) has allowed two runs or fewer in 13 of his 21 starts, but Chicago scored an average of just 2.63 runs through his first 19.

He's gotten the offensive help necessary to win back-to-back starts, though, pitching his first career shutout in a 6-0 win over Cleveland on July 24 before giving up two runs in 6 1-3 innings of Wednesday's 9-2 victory over Boston.

Quintana has pitched at least into the seventh in four of his last five outings. The White Sox's 14 runs of support over his last two starts are one more than he received in his previous seven combined.

"We're trying to reverse the curse of Quintana," outfielder Adam Eaton said. "It's nice to be able to get some runs for him early and let him settle in and pitch the way he can pitch. It's fun to watch when gets in a groove and starts going with the lead. He's picked us up so many times, kept us in close ballgames."

Quintana allowed three runs - one earned - in 7 1-3 innings of a 4-3 win the last time he faced the Rays on Sept. 19. He'll look to help the White Sox (50-53) bounce back after being routed 12-3 by the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Alexei Ramirez and Geovany Soto hit solo homers for Chicago, which has dropped three of four following a season-high seven-game winning streak.

The White Sox are 3 1/2 games behind Minnesota in a crowded race for the AL's second wild card, with the Rays (52-54) sitting three back. Tampa Bay picked up just its fourth road win in 17 games by beating Boston 4-3 on Sunday. Asdrubal Cabrera's RBI double tied it in the eighth before James Loney drove him in with a single later in the inning. Brandon Guyer homered leading off the game for the Rays, who were without Steven Souza Jr. after he was hit by a pitch Saturday that fractured his left hand.

Manager Kevin Cash said Souza is expected to miss four to six weeks.

"Obviously not an ideal thing for us or him, because his at-bats are crucial right now," Cash told MLB's official website.

Nathan Karns takes the hill looking to help the Rays win back-to-back road games for the first time since a five-game streak spanning June 7-20. Karns (6-5, 3.37) has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts, a stretch that began when he gave up one run while striking out eight in six innings of Tampa's 2-1 win over the White Sox on June 14.

The right-hander gave up seven runs in a loss to Kansas City on July 9, but he's won both of his starts since after giving up one run in six-plus innings of last Monday's 5-2 win over Detroit.

"I ran into some success through the first six innings, and in the seventh ran into a little trouble," said Karns, who took a one-hit shutout into the seventh before allowing a leadoff homer. "But I felt like things were going smoothly."

Karns' victory in June helped the Rays complete a three-game sweep in the last meeting.

Cabrera is 8 for 19 with a homer and four doubles in five games since coming off the disabled list due to a strained hamstring but is 1 for 16 with five strikeouts versus Quintana.