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Home , Anthony Swarzak, Chicago White Sox, Derek Holland, Guaranteed Rate Field, Kauffman Stadium

WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JULY 24, 2017 “Gonzalez tabbed to start rivalry set vs. Cubs” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “In My Words: Moncada, White Sox perfect fit” … , Special to MLB.com “White Sox 4-run frame isn't enough vs. Royals” … Wilson Alexander & Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Derek Holland paid tribute to Rangers fan Sister Frances on the mound after she passed away” … Michael Clair & Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Jimenez collects five hits for Dash” … William Boor, MLB.com “Melky isn't concerned about bruised left toe” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Moncada set for first taste of Sox-Cubs rivalry” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Melky looking for longer stay with White Sox” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “What White Sox ‘fireman’ has done to increase trade value” … Dan Hayes, CSN “The big-picture reasoning behind and bunting”… Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “On his way out? wants to stay with White Sox” … Colleen Kane, “Depleted White Sox bullpen falters again in 5-4 loss to Royals” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Cubs vs. White Sox: Best off-the-field matchups in this week's City Series” … Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune “Skid hits nine as White Sox falter late in 5-4 loss to Royals” … Mark Postash, Chicago Sun-Times “‘Bittersweet’ reunion for Rick Renteria coming up at ” … Mark Potash, Chicago Sun-Times “What the 's starting lineup could look like in 2020” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald Gonzalez tabbed to start rivalry set vs. Cubs By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 24. 2017

Rick Renteria returned to Wrigley Field during the 2016 season as the White Sox bench under then . He also managed against the Cubs during Cactus League action this past .

But Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field marks the first time Renteria will manage a regular season game against the team that presented his first managerial opportunity.

"It's not going to be any different I don't think. It's again, bittersweet," said the White Sox manager, who went 73-89 as Cubs skipper in '14 before being replaced by . "That's where I got my first managing opportunity.

"But I really take away fond memories from being there, and now I happen to be on the South Side. We're going to go in there and try to beat the Cubs."

Renteria presided over a rebuild with the Cubs when he had the job in '14 and is doing the same with the White Sox, who stand more at the beginning of their process. They enter this home-and-home set of two, two-game series with nine straight losses, while the defending champion Cubs are pushing again toward the top of the Central.

Miguel Gonzalez gets the start for the White Sox, making his second trip to the mound after returning from the disabled list. The right-hander is 1-9 with a 6.24 ERA over his last 10 starts, having allowed five runs or more in six of those starts.

Kyle Hendricks, who has been on the disabled list since June 8 with tendinitis in his right hand, makes his return on Monday for his first start since June 4. He will be facing Yoan Moncada, among others, with the top-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com, having joined the White Sox on Wednesday as their everyday second baseman.

"Walking around town, that's all you see. A lot of Cubs [fans] nowadays, but still all the White Sox fans out there, too," Hendricks said of the rivalry. "It's always fun."

Three things to know about this game

• The White Sox have lost three straight Interleague games and are 3-8 in this season. But they are 57- 51 all-time vs. the Cubs, as well as being current owners of the Crosstown Cup. The teams have split 54 games played at Wrigley Field.

• White Sox shortstop didn't start in either of the last two games against the Royals. He figures to be back in the lineup on Monday afternoon.

• As the combination of Kris Bryant and tries to get all cylinders firing for the stretch , Ian Happ and Willson Contreras have stepped up in the Cubs' lineup. Since June 1, the pair ranks first and third on the team in barrels, which are balls with the most ideal combinations of exit velocity and launch angle for hitters. Contreras also has one of the strongest arms in the league behind the plate, including the second-strongest throw on a caught stealing in MLB this season.

In My Words: Moncada, White Sox perfect fit By Yoan Moncada / Special to MLB.com | July 23rd, 2017

This has been one of the best years of my life. This year, I have experienced a lot of emotions and happiness. This year, I've learned a ton, and I've developed as a person and as a professional.

A few days ago, I lived the biggest experience of this year. It was when I made my debut with the White Sox. That was something impressive. I never thought that many people would go to the ballpark to see my debut in Chicago. When I went to home plate for the first time, all the fans stood up and gave me an ovation. That gave me goosebumps. I really appreciate that gesture from the people of Chicago, because that made that special moment even more special and exciting.

In my first at-bat, I was a little nervous because of all the excitement and noise in the ballpark. In my second at-bat, I went to the plate more calm, and I hit the ball hard, but I couldn't get a base hit. In my third at-bat, I also hit the ball hard and again I couldn't get the base hit. But that is how baseball is. In this sport, hitting is the most difficult task.

I felt really special, like a real loved person in Chicago, and it is something that I appreciate very, very much. I hope to keep getting that kind of support, because that boosts my motivation. I'm going to keep playing in the same way that I've been playing: putting on a good show for the fans and people who support the White Sox, because they deserve it. I promise to all of you that I'm going to do my best every day, and I'm going to play hard for this organization and the fans.

I've felt fortunate and blessed since I joined this organization, because I know this team believes in me and is committed to make me the best player that I can be. Here, I also have the opportunity to be with Jose Abreu, who I grew up admiring in Cuba, where we had the opportunity to play together with the Elefantes de .

In fact, he was one of the first people I spoke with after the trade, on Dec. 6. He called me to welcome me and to tell me about this organization. During Spring Training, we spent a good deal of time together, and when the team called me up to the big leagues, I asked him to pick me up from the airport. He did it, and that meant a lot to me. We are from the same town in Cuba, and playing with him here is like having an older brother.

Being in this organization with Abreu is a motivation for me. That was why I never took the trade in a bad way, although it was something unexpected. Now, I have the certainty that this is the best thing that could have happened to me. I played in the big leagues before with Boston, but this trade was just a better opportunity for me. It was a blessing.

This is a blessing because it is God's will. Here, I'm around very good people, good teammates, and I'm sure that all of them are going to help me have a successful and very long career. Here, I also have a manager who can speak Spanish. That is an advantage because I can understand better and we can communicate with each other one-on-one.

Perhaps because of all those reasons, my debut with the White Sox was as special or even more special than my debut in the big leagues with the Red Sox. When I made my debut with Boston, we were playing in Oakland. Here, I made my debut in Chicago, and there were a lot more excited people waiting to see me play. It wasn't the same in Boston. I truly felt happy during my first at-bat in Chicago.

I believe that I was called up at the right moment because the time that I spent in A benefitted me. I knew that my moment would come, and I knew that I had to work hard to be ready for it. I learned more about how to play second base. My manager down there () taught me a ton; he played a lot in the big leagues and has a lot of knowledge.

I'm sure that everything is going to be good with the White Sox, and that I'm going to continue learning and developing to bring happiness and satisfaction to Chicago. This is the perfect time!

White Sox 4-run frame isn't enough vs. Royals By Wilson Alexander and Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 24, 2017

KANSAS CITY -- Brandon Moss hit a go-ahead in the ninth to give the Royals a 5-4 walk-off win and a three-game sweep of the White Sox on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman . It was the Royals' fourth walk-off win in eight days and second in this series.

With the win, the Royals remained 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Indians in the Central. The White Sox lost their ninth straight game. Since losing seven of eight, the Royals have won five in a row.

"After the walk-off against Detroit [on Wednesday], we came in and said those are the kind of things that spurt your momentum again," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "It definitely has. Our momentum has definitely spiked." Mike Moustakas led off the ninth with a against White Sox reliever and pinch-runner advanced to second on a . After Infante hit on the left hand, closer entered the game. On a 1-2 pitch, Moss roped the ball down the right-field line, scoring Cain with the winning run.

"[Moss] had some great swings on that last at-bat," Yost said. "I felt like he was going to find a pitch and drive it somewhere, and he did, right down the line."

The White Sox jumped ahead with a four-run fifth, knocking out four straight hits on five pitches from Royals starter . 's double cleared the bases to tie the game, and two batters later, Jose Abreu doubled in the go-ahead run against Kevin McCarthy. That run was charged to Wood, as the bullpen combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Closer struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth and earned the win.

The Royals trailed 4-3 entering the eighth inning, but tied it with his second of the game.

Whit Merrifield belts his second solo home run of the game, knotting the game at 4 in the bottom of the 8th inning "[Reliever ] threw a slider that was a decent pitch," Merrifield said. "It was a down, but I got extended and put the barrel on it."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Swarzak keeps the lead: Right-hander Anthony Swarzak came on in relief of starter in the fifth inning with the White Sox holding a one-run lead and runners on first and third with two out. On three straight sliders, Swarzak struck out Jorge Bonifacio looking to end the inning. Swarzak then pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Since June 20, he has given up one run in 14 2/3 innings.

"He's been excellent," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He's become for us, with [] going down and [] going down, he's actually become a fireman. He's come in in some of the highest leverage situations we could possibly get. And then we use him for multiple innings."

Back-to-back-to-back: Entering the fourth inning, the Royals had yet to register a hit off Holland. But Merrifield, Bonifacio and hit consecutive home runs for a 3-0 lead. It was the first time the Royals hit three straight home runs in an inning since May 25, 2006, when , Angel Berroa and did it. Prior to hitting three home runs in the sixth inning in Saturday's 7-2 win, the Royals hadn't hit three homers in an inning since 2006. Now, they have done so in consecutive games.

"Just bad execution," said Holland, who pitched with his velocity slightly down on Sunday. "Same time, you've got to give those guys credit, especially Whit. He had a great game today, especially offensively. Personally, I've got to execute better than that."

QUOTABLE

"I'm only pointing at myself. It's very disappointing to go out there and not go at least five to six [innings]. Pitch count is where it needed to be. It's just my fault for not executing, and when you don't execute, you're going to get taken out of the game. If anybody wants blame it's for myself. It's a poor performance. It needs to be better than that. It's very frustrating." – Holland

MELKY MAKES EARLY EXIT

Melky Cabrera left Sunday's loss in the fifth inning as came on as a pinch-hitter. Cabrera had fouled a pitch from Wood off his left foot in the first inning, sustaining a bruised big toe. But he stayed in the game for two at-bats. No X- rays were taken, but Cabrera felt as if he could play on Monday at Wrigley Field with Renteria listing him as day to day. "We'll check him in the morning," Renteria said. "Hopefully, he should be fine."

WHAT'S NEXT

White Sox: The crosstown four-game set against the defending World Series champion Cubs begins at 1:20 p.m. CT on Monday at Wrigley Field. White Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez will make his 15th start of the season and fourth during Interleague Play. Gonzalez is 1-9 with a 6.24 ERA over his last 10 starts, and he is 0-1 in two career starts vs. the Cubs. Royals: Right-hander Jason Hammel will make his team-leading 20th start of the season when the Royals begin a three- game set against the Tigers at 6:10 p.m. CT on Monday at . The teams split a four-game series at earlier this week. Hammel gave up one run over 6 1/3 innings in his last start vs. the Tigers on Wednesday.

Derek Holland paid tribute to Rangers fan Sister Frances on the mound after she passed away By Michael Clair and Scott Merkin / MLB.com

She was known to every Rangers fan, broadcaster and player -- always banging her drum from her seat behind home plate. She was Sister Frances Evans, a nun and Texas superfan, who passed away at the age of 90 on Friday.

Though he's now a White Sox, and was pitching in Kansas City on Sunday, Derek Holland remembered his time with her fondly from the eight years that he was with the Rangers. He posted to Instagram before his start to "remember someone special."

And then, as he has written "Granny" on the back of the mound since his grandmother passed away in Spring Training, Holland added Sister Frances' .

"She was at every single game," Holland told MLB.com's Scott Merkin. "She always had a drum, she would always beat it. It was really cool as a player to hear that -- you knew it was her. Unfortunately, she passed away and I wanted to make sure she got the recognition she deserved. Obviously I'm on a different team but respect is where it's made and she deserves that. My prayers are up with her family and everyone affected by it."

"I wish I could have done a better job today for her but this is how the game is," Holland said after pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing three runs in Chicago's 5-4 loss. "The main thing is to pay respect to her family and her friends and all those around her."

Jimenez collects five hits for Dash By William Boor / MLB.com | July 23, 2017

Max Schrock took full advantage of Double-A Midland's , collecting a total of five hits and six RBIs in the two wins over Corpus Christi on Sunday.

The Athletics No. 18 prospect got off to a fast start in the first game, a 12-2 Midland win, as he doubled in the first, singled in the third and fifth and capped his perfect day with a two-run homer in the sixth.

Schrock finished the first game 4-for-4 with four RBIs and although he wasn't perfect at the plate in the second game, a 13-1 win, he did extend his to six games with a base hit in the sixth.

The 22-year-old added two more RBIs in the nightcap, but neither came via his lone hit. Schrock drove in the first run of the game with an RBI groundout in the first and then helped Midland tack onto the lead as he drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth.

Schrock has played well this season, hitting .314 through 72 games this season, including a .337 average through 30 games in the second half.

Athletics No. 26 prospect Richie Martin also had a solid day for Midland, going 2-for-3 in each of the two games. Other top prospect performances from Sunday's action:

• No. 12 overall prospect Rafael Devers (Red Sox No. 1) went 3-for-4 for Triple-A Pawtucket and then was promptly called up to the Red Sox. Devers hit .400 in nine games at the Triple-A level after hitting .300 through 77 games with Double-A Portland.

• No. 8 overall prospect Eloy Jimenez (White Sox No. 2) went 5-for-6 in Advanced Winston-Salem's extra- innings win over Salem. Not only did Jimenez set a career mark with five hits, but he did so with a trio of extra- base hits. Jimenez hit a pair of doubles, along with his 10th homer of the season, and finished the game with three RBIs.

Melky isn't concerned about bruised left toe White Sox outfielder expects to play Monday against Cubs By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | July 23rd, 2017

KANSAS CITY -- White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera exited Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Royals with a bruised left big toe.

Cabrera fouled a Travis Wood pitch off of his foot in the first inning and went to the ground quickly in noticeable pain. Cabrera stayed in the game until Alen Hanson pinch-hit for him during a four-run fifth.

"I had a little bit of pain. But I don't have a fracture or anything that could mean I will lose a few days," Cabrera said through interpreter Billy Russo. "I think I'm going to be ready for tomorrow.

"It just started getting a little sore as it was going on," manager Rick Renteria said. "He was feeling really uncomfortable coming in and out running. There's no need to press him into continuing to push himself out there like that."

No X-rays were taken, but Cabrera said all the necessary tests were done and he can move the toe. Renteria listed the injury as day to day, with Renteria and Cabrera believing he will be able to play on Monday afternoon against the Cubs.

With the first two crosstown games being played at Wrigley Field, Cabrera won't have the 's role to fall back upon. But he seemed to be in good spirits postgame.

"Actually I wanted to stay in the game," said Cabrera, who finished 0-for-2 in the team's ninth straight loss. "But it was Rick's decision to take me out. He's the manager."

"He should be fine," Renteria said. "I don't see it as being long term."

Moncada set for first taste of Sox-Cubs rivalry By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | July 23rd,

KANSAS CITY -- Knowledge possessed by Yoan Moncada concerning the Cubs-White Sox rivalry seems to be fairly limited.

The information possessed by the White Sox second baseman, making his series debut on Monday, also sounds to be spot-on accurate.

"I've heard a few words: Nothing in specific. Like of course the White Sox fans don't like the Cubs fans and vice versa," Moncada said through interpreter Billy Russo. "It's a very intense rivalry. Nothing else.

"I would like to experience that intensity of the rivalry. I'm sure we are going to go there and we are going to beat them. I want to help this team to beat them."

Moncada's confidence is admirable and certainly could play out during the four-game set, with two day contests at Wrigley Field to begin the week followed by two more at night to conclude the series at Field. But the teams are moving in different directions.

White Sox general manager began a rebuild for his club last season, amassing 10 of the Top 67 prospects as ranked by MLBPipeline.com. The Cubs remain in win-now mode, doing whatever possible in pursuit of their second straight World Series title.

Those goals created a high-impact trade between the clubs, with Jose Quintana moving to the Cubs and outfielder Eloy Jimenez and leading the four-player prospect package in return. Quintana was scheduled for a Sunday night start against the Cardinals, so unlike with the Red Sox at the end of May, he will not be able to face his friends and former teammates in this series.

Even the absence of that highlight doesn't take away from the rivalry's intensity. "Those games are very energetic and exciting," White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera said through Russo. "I think that's one of the biggest rivalries in the game."

Anderson sits again

Shortstop Tim Anderson wasn't in the starting lineup for a second straight day against the Royals, although White Sox manager Rick Renteria mentioned Anderson was available to pinch-hit or pinch-run. "He's in as good a place as he can be right now," Renteria said. "Maybe these two days are going to be good for him."

Renteria wants players to execute

The decision to have Moncada bunt with runners on first and second and none out in the sixth inning of Saturday night's 7-2 loss to the Royals was not met with high approval across social media. But Renteria believes the bunt not only can be part of Moncada's arsenal, but other players as well.

"I see a whole lot of home run hitters dropping bunts right now against shifts and things of that nature. I don't think that art should disappear," Renteria said. "We're in the era of quote-unquote the long ball, but like I've said, sometimes you need to do certain things to kind of put your club in a better position.

"Our guys are very cognizant of just playing the game. If they feel like they want to get two guys in scoring position on their own, they do it. It's not something I want to take away from them. They read the defenses. Sometimes we talk about other ways of dealing with the defenses, but I think they're understanding that we're going to want that to be a part of all their abilities."

Melky looking for longer stay with White Sox Veteran outfielder may draw interest as Trade Deadline nears By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | July 23rd, 2017

KANSAS CITY -- Outfielder Melky Cabrera has 67 games remaining during his time with the White Sox or so it appears.

That time frame represents what's left on Cabrera's three-year, $42-million deal agreed upon with the team prior to the 2015 season. With the White Sox currently in full-fledged rebuild, Cabrera's stay in Chicago could wind up shorter if a contending team pursues the valuable veteran before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31 or even in August.

But the soon-to-be 33-year-old Cabrera doesn't want to leave the White Sox -- not now or even after his contract expires. "I would like to finish the season here. I like Chicago," Cabrera said through interpreter Billy Russo prior to Sunday's game against the Royals. "I like this team and I would like to stay here for a long time, not just until the end of the season. But I don't have control of those decisions."

Cabrera entered Sunday hitting .355 with seven home runs, 25 RBIs and 24 runs scored over his last 37 games. He has a .343 average with 11 homers and 37 RBIs over his last 51.

Todd Frazier expressed the same sort of sentiment to stay longer term with the White Sox, even with 2018 figuring to be more about development, and postseason contention possibly not arriving until '20. The third baseman was sent to the Yankees on Tuesday as part of a seven-player deal, but the White Sox also had Major League ready options behind Frazier in , Yolmer Sanchez and Tyler Saladino.

The White Sox also knew Yoan Moncada was ready to jump from Triple-A Charlotte to everyday work at second base. Where the outfield is concerned, the White Sox have Avisail Garcia, Adam Engel, Alen Hanson, , Willy Garcia and potentially in the picture for '18, so Cabrera could in theory make sense to stick around.

Not only is the switch-hitter a potent force with the bat, but he's also tied for the Major League lead with eight outfield assists. These numbers don't factor in Cabrera's clubhouse leadership. "If they asked me to do it, I would like to do it," Cabrera said. "Like I said before, I don't have control about that. That's all in their hands, and we'll see. I would like to stay here."

When asked why he would want to stay with the White Sox, Cabrera responded with "the treatment." "They have treated me very good," Cabrera said. "I know that we have very good players here and I just want to stay here for the rest of my career."

What White Sox ‘fireman’ Anthony Swarzak has done to increase trade value By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | July 23, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Anthony Swarzak held a high-leverage audition for a potential contender on Sunday long before the walked off the White Sox.

The nonroster invitee to big league camp continued a stellar campaign as he took over in a critical spot midgame and helped the White Sox escape with the lead. The White Sox bullpen ultimately relinquished the lead and Brandon Moss sent them to their ninth straight loss — Kansas City won 5-4 — with an RBI double in the ninth inning.

But Swarzak continues to thrive in the opportunities handed to him and could make for an interesting trade chip before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.

“He’s been excellent,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “He’s become for us, with (Nate Jones) going down and (Jake Petricka) going down he’s actually become a fireman. He’s come in in some of the highest-leverage situations we could possibly get. And then we use him for multiple innings.”

A free agent after the season, Swarzak has 50 and a 2.30 ERA in 47 innings for the White Sox this season. He also has only allowed nine of 33 inherited runners to score (27.2 percent), including two on Sunday. The American League average for inherited runners scoring entering Sunday was 30 percent, according to baseball-reference.com.

All this has come in a season where Swarzak went to camp with the White Sox with no certainty of making the 25-man roster. The right-hander not only thrived in camp, he came out strong in April with 19 2/3 scoreless innings to start the season. Combined with early injuries to Jones and , Swarzak’s performance helped him climb the totem pole in the White Sox bullpen from the outset. His stature has grown even more of late with the injury to Petricka as well as the trades of and David Robertson.

“As far personal expectations, I’m right where I want to be,” Swarzak said. “More to accomplish for this year, absolutely. But I like what I’ve done so far and I like the opportunity that I have to accomplish even more.

“That’s the situation we all work so hard. That’s the situation we want and it’s why we all work so hard in the offseason in general is for situations like that.”

Swarzak took over for starter Derek Holland in the fifth inning with the White Sox ahead 4-3 and runners on the corners. He threw three straight sliders to Jorge Bonifacio and struck him out to strand the pair.

“It was huge, what he did coming in right there,” Holland said.

As significant as it was, it only held off the Royals for the time being. And as much as Swarzak has enjoyed things on a personal level, it isn’t making what the thinned-out White Sox roster is experiencing any easier to handle.

“Everything going on around here right now is pretty hard to swallow,” Swarzak said. “We’re going out there losing 8-0, 6- 0, we’re up 6-0 and we end up losing. We lost a 1-0 game against the Dodgers and the next night we lose 10-1. We’re kind of losing all types of ways right now, which is really hard to swallow because as a bullpen guy we take pride in holding the lead and right now it seems like we’re not getting it done at all, any aspect of it, as a group.”

With eight more shopping days left before the deadline, chances are high that Swarzak may not be part of the current group much longer. He has already seen the departures of Robertson and Kahnle and knows his impending free agency could result in a trade elsewhere. But the veteran reliever is doing his best to keep his focus on the mound.

“It all comes back to quality pitches and getting guys out,” Swarzak said. “If you’re getting guys out, you’re going to get some attention from the league and if you’re not they’re going to close the book on you. It’s very straight forward for a pitcher, for a player in general: Do better. Get it done and you’re going to play for a long time and you’re going to have the success that goes along with getting it done. That’s really all I’m worried about is continuing to make good pitches and hopefully get the results I’m looking for.”

The big-picture reasoning behind Rick Renteria and bunting By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | July 23, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Rick Renteria wants his players to be able to execute a bunt regardless of how much it drives White Sox fans crazy.

The White Sox manager wants to win now, but he’s also looking at the big picture.

Even though he knows how much a team’s chance of scoring decreases when an out is surrendered via the , Renteria is using the opportunity to see what abilities his players have. He wants to know what they can do.

Renteria is well aware that his calls for sacrifice bunts aren’t popular with fans (see: ’s reaction to Yoan Moncada’s bunt tries on Saturday). But he also thinks there’s no better time to work on bunts than during a game. So as much fury as it brings, Renteria will continue to ask his players to work on a skill he’d like to see remain part of the game.

“Listen, (Moncada’s) a plus runner,” Renteria said. “He’s going to be able to use that as a part of his arsenal. I see a whole lot of home run hitters dropping bunts right now against shifts and things of that nature. I don’t think that art should disappear. We’re in the era of quote-unquote the long ball, but like I’ve said, sometimes you need to do certain things to kind of put your club in a better position.

"If you think that’s one of the things that’s available to you, you use it. I don’t think you’re necessarily giving it up in terms of an out, because when you’ve got guys who can run anything is possible. You end up loading the bases possibly. I know our guys are very cognizant of just playing the game. If they feel like they want to get two guys in scoring position on their own, they do it. It’s not something I want to take away from them. I think they read the defenses. Sometimes we talk about other ways of dealing with the defenses, but I think they’re understanding that we’re going to want that to be a part of all their abilities.”

As for the team’s execution, Renteria isn’t satisfied with the results. That means you can expect to see more bunts the rest of the way.

“It’s still a work-in-progress,” Renteria said. “I think that would be a falsehood to say we’re at the point where I go, I’m very, very happy with the way we lay down bunts. It’s still a work-in-progress, something that we’re going to continue to emphasize. Something we’re going to continue to work on. And then again, the only opportunities you get in real time are games, and that’s when you need ‘em.”

On his way out? Melky Cabrera wants to stay with White Sox Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | July 24, 2017

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Saturday night he was surprised veteran left fielder Melky Cabrera is still with the team because he believes Cabrera would be a valuable player for contending teams to pick up in a trade.

But Cabrera wouldn't mind sticking with the Sox through this season and even beyond, he said Sunday before a 5-4 loss to the Royals.

As the Sox extended their losing streak to nine games, Cabrera was pulled in the fifth inning for pinch hitter Alen Hanson to briefly raise speculation about Renteria's trade suggestion. But the Sox quickly announced Cabrera had a bruised left foot after fouling a ball off it earlier in the game.

"I would like to finish the season here," Cabrera said through an interpreter. "I like Chicago. I like this team and I would like to stay here for a long time, not just until the end of the season.

"But I don't have control of those decisions. They know what they have to do, but if you ask me, I would say I would like to stay here."

Finishing up a three-year contract that pays him $15 million this season, Cabrera could be a rental for a team looking for a consistent veteran hitter. The Sox are in full-blown selling mode after the trades of Jose Quintana, , David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, and they could try to move Cabrera to add to their prospect pool, though Cabrera's defense and his bulky contract could make such an effort more difficult.

Renteria doesn't know why a team wouldn't want Cabrera.

A 13-year major-league veteran, he owns a .295 average, 16 doubles, 13 homers and 56 RBIs this season. Cabrera was hitting .357 with six doubles, five home runs, 14 RBIs and a .994 OPS over his last 20 games entering Sunday. He had four hits, two RBIs and was a triple shy of the cycle Saturday night in a 7-2 loss to the Royals.

"To me, he's a premier major-league baseball player who has been playing outstanding defense," Renteria said. "And he has been for us one of the two or three guys who has been timing his hitting in terms of driving in runs when we need them, putting together really good at-bats when we need them. Yeah, kind of surprised" he's still with the Sox.

Considering most of the Sox's top outfield prospects — Eloy Jimenez, , and — haven't risen above Class A, the Sox could have an opening for Cabrera for at least another year.

Cabrera said the Sox's treatment of him and the quality players within the organization make him want to stay.

He has been one of the leaders of a young team. He orchestrates postgame celebrations after victories and tries to keep the clubhouse light even in the midst of big changes and the coinciding losing streak, which is the Sox's longest since August-September 2013.

"We are not thinking of trades or what can happen next," Cabrera said. "We are just trying to think about the game we have to play every single day."

Cabrera said thinks he will be ready to play the next game Monday against the Cubs despite the bruise on his big toe.

"I had a little bit of pain, but I don't have a fracture or anything that could mean I will lose a few days," Cabrera said. "I wanted to stay in the game, but it was Rick's decision to take me out."

Depleted White Sox bullpen falters again in 5-4 loss to Royals Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune | July 23, 2017

The White Sox traded closer David Robertson and setup man Tommy Kahnle to the Yankees last week, and the Royals wasted no time exposing how challenged the Sox bullpen is without them.

Brandon Moss hit a walk-off double off Tyler Clippard in the ninth inning to give the Royals a 5-4 victory Sunday at Kauffman Stadium, their second walk-off triumph in a three-game series sweep of the Sox. The Royals also walked off on Whit Merrifield's on Friday. On Saturday, the Sox bullpen coughed up six earned runs and five homers.

Sunday was the Sox's ninth straight loss, their longest losing streak since August-September 2013.

Mike Moustakas singled off reliever Gregory Infante to open the ninth, and pinch runner Lorenzo Cain got to second on a wild pitch. Infante hit Alcides Escobar with a pitch before Sox manager Rick Renteria went to Clippard, one of the return pieces from the Yankees, with two on and nobody out.

"He just left a pitch out over the plate a little bit too much, and (Moss) gets a base hit," Renteria said. "In general we didn't play a very bad ballgame."

Sox left-hander Derek Holland cruised through three hitless innings before giving up three straight homers to Merrifield, Jorge Bonifacio and Eric Hosmer in the fourth.

"I had good momentum going, everything was working perfectly fine," Holland said. "I knew my velo was a little down, but the thing is you've got to pitch no matter what. … Execution is what it came down to. That one inning killed me."

The Sox fought back in the fifth. Adam Engel hit a three-run double off left-hander Travis Wood, and Jose Abreu added an RBI double for a 4-3 Sox lead.

Holland left a pair of runners on base in the fifth for reliever Anthony Swarzak, who struck out Bonifacio looking to preserve the lead. Dan Jennings struck out the side in the seventh but gave up a second homer to Merrifield in the eighth.

Happy bunting: Renteria said the Sox will continue to emphasize proper execution on bunts, which he said is a "work in progress."

Renteria had Yoan Moncada try to bunt with two runners on base and two out Saturday and said it should be part of his arsenal as a "plus runner." Moncada fell behind 0-2 and ended up grounding out to advance the runners.

"I don't think that art should disappear," Renteria said. "We're in the era of the long ball, but sometimes you need to do certain things to put your club in a better position. … I don't think you're necessarily giving it up in terms of an out because when you've got guys who can run, anything is possible."

A break: Renteria gave Tim Anderson a second straight day off as "a little mental break" for the second-year shortstop.

"He's in as good a place as he can be right now," Renteria said. "Maybe these two days are going to be good for him."

Cubs vs. White Sox: Best off-the-field matchups in this week's City Series Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune | July 23, 2017

When Fortune Magazine dubbed him the "world's greatest leader" in March, Cubs President Theo Epstein responded, "I can't even get my dog to stop peeing in the house."

Sources indicate the dog is now house-trained, though Epstein's chances of maintaining the title he called "absurd" may be in jeopardy. In fact, Epstein has even lost his monopoly on the genius executive moniker now that White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is accepting kudos for collecting teams' top prospects like kids collecting baseball cards.

Funny how life works. Only a year ago Hahn was criticized for allowing teenager Drake La Roche to travel with and pretend he was part of the team and for allowing a clubhouse culture in which Chris Sale sliced up throwback uniforms before a game.

Now Hahn is trying to replicate the success Epstein has enjoyed in Chicago and is being given the benefit of the doubt thanks in no small part to Sox fans having watched Epstein execute a similar game plan so well on the other side of town.

There's no way of knowing whether the Hahn collection will match or exceed Epstein's bunch, as Avisail Garcia predicted during All-Star week. We'll know if it has worked if everyone starts calling Hahn by his first name only, as Cubs fans do with Theo.

"Theo vs. Hahn" is just one of the off-the-field matchups in the City Series, which begins Monday at Wrigley Field.

Here are some other interesting matchups that can't be quantified by number-crunching alone:

Ricketts vs. Reinsdorf

Best owner in Chicago? Sox Chairman has seven rings, though only one is relevant in this discussion.

Both Reinsdorf and Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts have one World Series ring apiece. It took Reinsdorf 24 years to get his, while Ricketts won in only his sixth season.

They have similar management styles, leaving the baseball decisions to the baseball people.

Now that Hahn is generally untied from former GM Ken Williams, he's able to be himself, and it shows. Epstein came into his job with complete autonomy, reporting to Ricketts instead of Crane Kenney, president of business operations, and it shows too.

Reinsdorf always sits in his box and rarely grants interviews after years of being one of the most quotable owners in sports. Ricketts sits near the Cubs and tends to schmooze more with fans in public.

Ricketts even apologized to a fan sitting near him after a lopsided loss to the Brewers on July 6. When I asked him why he felt the need to apologize, Ricketts said, "Well, he just saw a bad game."

Ricketts gets style points at the very least.

Wrigley vs. Guaranteed Rate

The Cubs' ballpark is head and shoulders above the Sox's in terms of atmosphere and history, as evidenced by the fact many tourists flock to Chicago just to attend a game at Wrigley.

Guaranteed Rate is a name that conjures up images of a late-night TV commercial on a UHF station. Four months into its first year of , people still refer to it as Sox Park.

The Sox do have a much more kid-friendly environment, including the fundamentals skill area in left field. It's also more tech-friendly, featuring the Sox Social Media lounge with phone-charging stations.

Wrigley's Wi-Fi is expected to improve next year.

We'll see.

Uniforms and logos

After a few decades of changing uniforms, the Sox finally settled on the classic white with black in the early '90s, along with the Gothic-style Sox logo. Classic stuff.

But they also like to bring out the "Winning Ugly"-era unis with the batterman logo that is retro cool these days.

The Cubs' blue pinstripes and logo with the word "Cubs" in a circle is still their best uniform. Also classic. But the crawling bear logo never really caught on, even though they still use it.

Ballpark food

Despite a recent Tribune article that suggested the ballpark fare is better at Wrigley Field than , there really is no comparison.

As someone who eats the food at both parks and has for over 50 years, I can attest Wrigley has improved over the last five years but still trails Sox Park in this important category.

The invitation of designated celebrity chefs at Wrigley has helped, but still this category is a gimme putt for the Sox. They also have the best churros in baseball, and in these trying times, churros matter.

Skid hits nine as White Sox falter late in 5-4 loss to Royals Mark Potash / Chciago Sun-Times | July 23, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The White Sox know they’re going to pay a price for rebuilding, but it was never as evident as it was Sunday.

Without Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson to protect a one-run lead in the late innings, the Sox allowed the Royals to score the tying run in the eighth against Dan Jennings and the winning run in the ninth against Gregory Infante and Tyler Clippard in a 5-4 loss. The Sox have lost nine consecutive games and 12 of their last 13.

After striking out the side to protect a 4-3 lead in the seventh, Jennings gave up a home run to Whit Merrifield leading off the eighth. Infante allowed a single to Mike Moustakas and hit Alcides Escobar with a pitch in the ninth before Brandon Moss doubled against Clippard to win it.

The Sox were 32-1 when leading after the seventh before Kahnle and Robertson were traded to the Yankees. Anthony Swarzak was the only reliever to get away unscathed. He allowed one hit in 1„ scoreless innings to drop his ERA to 2.30.

White Sox starter Derek Holland allowed three runs on four hits — three of them home runs — in 4 2/3 innings against the Royals Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. The Sox lost, 5-4. (Brian Davidson/Getty Images) ‘‘They did as good a job as I could have asked them to do today,’’ manager Rick Renteria said. ‘‘All in all, we didn’t play a very bad ballgame.’’

After Merrifield, Jorge Bonifacio and Eric Hosmer hit consecutive homers against Sox starter Derek Holland to give the Royals a 3-0 lead in the fourth, the Sox responded with four runs in the fifth — highlighted by a three-run double by Adam Engel — to take a 4-3 lead.

Outfielder Melky Cabrera left the game with a bruised left foot in the fifth. He fouled a pitch off the foot in the first.

‘‘He should be fine,’’ Renteria said.

Moncada update

Rookie Yoan Moncada went 0-for-4, including his first in four games with the Sox in the second. He hit the ball harder each time up after that, grounding out three times. Moncada is 1-for-13 (.077) since being called up Wednesday from Class AAA Charlotte.

‘Mental break’ for Anderson

Shortstop Tim Anderson, who is hitting .197 (12-for-61) in his last 17 games to drop his average to .243, didn’t play for the second consecutive game.

‘‘Little mental break,’’ said Renteria, who spoke with Anderson at length in his office before the game. ‘‘I think he’s in as good a place as he can be right now. Maybe these two days [off] are going to be good for him.’’

‘Bittersweet’ reunion for Rick Renteria coming up at Wrigley Field Mark Potash / Chicago Sun-Times | July 23, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Manager Ned Yost remembers being angry when he returned to with the Royals in 2015, seven years after he was fired by the Brewers in September 2008 with his team struggling but still tied for the wild- card spot with 12 games to go.

He didn’t show it, though.

‘‘I’m not really emotional,’’ Yost said. ‘‘I was more like: ‘OK, screw you. I’m in a good spot.’ ’’

If White Sox skipper Rick Renteria will be feeling any of that emotion when he returns Monday to Wrigley Field as a manager for the first time since he was unceremoniously and suddenly fired in 2014 to make room for Joe Maddon, he’s hiding it pretty well, too.

‘‘It’s not going to be any different, I don’t think,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘It’s bittersweet. There’s where I got my first managing opportunity. But I really take away fond memories from being there, and now I happen to be on the South Side. We’re going to go in there and try to beat the Cubs.’’

Yost got his satisfaction by returning to Milwaukee as the manager of the defending American League champion Royals, who were on their way to a World Series championship. Renteria is just beginning the rebuild with the Sox and fully embracing it, despite the sour experience of his single season with the Cubs.

‘‘Is it difficult [rebuilding again]? No,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘At the end of the day, everybody is looking for the same thing — compiling a very talented ballclub that will give you opportunities to compete in the postsesaon and maybe [win] championships.

‘‘I hope I’m around here. I anticipate being around when all of those things start to come to fruition. But, no, it’s not frustrating because I have an idea of the direction we’re going as an organization.’’

After taking over the Royals early in the 2010 season, Yost managed teams that lost 97, 91 and 90 games before his fortunes turned.

‘‘I got an opportunity to take it to the next level that I didn’t get in Milwaukee, so I actually looked at [getting fired] as a good thing,’’ Yost said. ‘‘[Renteria] didn’t get the chance to take it to the next level [with the Cubs]. He’s going to get that opportunity [with the Sox]. For him, going back [to Wrigley], it’s probably going to be a different experience, but I think he’s in a pretty good spot. I feel good about it.’’

Veteran players and young players alike are comfortable with Renteria, whose style suits a rebuild well. But it remains to be seen whether he’ll be the guy to take the Sox over the top when the time comes.

Even after a bad experience with the Cubs, he’s not worried about that.

‘‘I don’t think like that,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘But I will share something with you that I always tell people in baseball: I will do my very best to leave a place better than when I came. That’s the only thing I can control.

‘‘I’ve never worried about my job; I worry about doing my job. Right now, I’m just worried about today. There’s too much to think about in the moment than to concern myself somewhere down the road. It’s not something I have in the back of my mind.’’

What the Chicago White Sox's starting lineup could look like in 2020 Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | July 23, 2017

Yoan Moncada alone is not going to prevent the Chicago White Sox from finishing with the worst record in the American League this season.

But when the touted prospect joined the Sox last Wednesday, a positive change could be felt in the air.

"I think it's the beginning of what hopefully will be a transition to a lot of the youth we've been accumulating in the system," manager Rick Renteria said. "Everybody should be excited about that. I know we are."

Outside of Moncada, there's not much happening with the current White Sox to prompt excitement.

But as they prepare for four straight interleague games against the crosstown , let's project what the 2020 Sox's starting lineup is going to look like. That is the first year they should be viewed as legitimate contenders.

First base --

Jose Abreu is still doing damage in the middle of the White Sox's lineup, and he's also a great mentor for Moncada.

On the flip side, Abreu's contract is up after 2019.

Sheets, a polished college hitter drafted on the second round last month, is going be ready in '20, if not before.

Second base -- Moncada

He's already showing why he was baseball's No. 1 prospect.

In three more years, Moncada should be an all-star candidate.

Shortstop -- Tim Anderson

He has struggled this year, his first full season in the majors.

By 2020, Anderson should be completely settled in, a more consistent hitter and a much better defender. That's what the White Sox are hoping, and that's why they gave Anderson a six-year, $25 million contract extension in March.

Third base --

The Sox's first-round draft pick this year, Burger is off to a fast start as a professional.

In Thursday's game for low Class A Kannapolis, Burger was 5-for-5 with 2 doubles a triple and 2 RBI.

Catcher --

The White Sox's first-round draft pick in 2016, Collins has been flashing impressive power with 5 home runs in 10 games for high A Winston-Salem.

Collins has been on a mission to prove he can stick as a catcher, and he has thrown out 37 of 91 attempted basestealers, a 41 percent success rate.

Left field -- Blake Rutherford

Acquired in the trade that sent Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to Yankees, the 20-year-old Rutherford is ranked No. 36 on 's Top 100 prospect list.

Rutherford is playing for Kannapolis.

Center field -- Luis Robert

Baseball America's No. 45 best prospect, the 19-year-old Robert received a $26 million signing bonus when he agreed to a minor-league deal with the Sox in late May.

Robert has missed most of July with a meniscus injury in his left knee, but he should be back with the White Sox at some point this week.

Right field -- Eloy Jimenez

Acquired from the Cubs in the Jose Quintana trade, Jimenez might turn out to be a better player than Moncada.

Jimenez, 20, has been tearing up the Carolina League since joining Winston-Salem. He is No. 5 overall on Baseball America's prospect list.

Designated hitter -- Avisail Garcia or Matt Davidson

They are on the current roster, and one or both might still be with the White Sox in 2020 to fill the DH role.