WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JULY 23, 2018 “Lopez's rough first sinks White Sox in Seattle”… Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Leury's versatility increases his trade value” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Eloy Jimenez is swinging some kind of a hot bat in Triple-A, giving White Sox fans visions of the (near?) future”… Vinnie Duber, NBC Sports Chicago “Reynaldo Lopez struggles as White Sox lose to Mariners 8-2” … Erik Erickson, Chicago Tribune “New changeup helps White Sox pitcher Dylan Covey during career night”… Erik Erickson, Chicago Tribune “Series preview: White Sox at Angels” … Erik Erickson, Chicago Tribune “Former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen discovers his softer side” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Sun-Times “Young players don’t get importance of defense, Ozzie Guillen says” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Sun-Times “Scouting report: White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Eloy Jiménez’s mature approach is making Triple-A a breeze. So when will he be in Chicago?” … James Fegan, The Athletic “Sox is singular: Second half same as the first so far for the White Sox” … Jim Margalus, The Athletic “Ian Hamilton is knocking on the door of the majors, even without his best stuff” … James Fegan, The Athletic Lopez's rough first sinks White Sox in Seattle By Scott Merkin / MLB.com / July 22, 2018 SEATTLE -- There have been times this season when White Sox right-hander Reynaldo Lopez looked like an ace on the mound. People have marveled at his makeup and chutzpah while pitching, not giving in during the toughest of situations or even when the pitch count rises late in outings. There have been other stretches during Lopez's 20 starts where he's looked like a 24-year-old developing with the rest of this critical mass at the core of the White Sox rebuild. Seattle's 8-2 victory over the White Sox on Sunday at Safeco Field showed a little bit of both sides from Lopez. He struggled in the first inning, allowing five runs on a cumbersome 35 pitches. But to his credit, Lopez shut down a team with a 60-40 record over the next four innings, giving the White Sox a chance to come back against Marco Gonzales. "He kept us in the game," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "Again, had trouble with some base-on- balls today. Tried to find his zone. You could see he was leaving pitches out over the plate a bit. He got roughed around, but settled down. "Ended up benefiting from some first-pitch outs that gave him some more pitches to work with. It really wasn't his day today, but he got us through five and did enough to at least keep us in the ballgame." That first inning was an interesting one for Lopez, with Ryon Healy's three-run homer -- featuring a 106.3 mph exit velocity, per Statcast™ -- emerging as the only hard-hit ball of the frame. Lopez gave up an infield hit to Jean Segura, walked Mitch Haniger and then yielded Nelson Cruz's single off of a leaping first baseman Jose Abreu's glove, loading the bases. Kyle Seager walked to force in a run, followed by Denard Span's sacrifice fly and Healy's blast. This five- run outburst started after Lopez retired Dee Gordon on one pitch to begin his outing. "I was feeling good throwing in the bullpen. I was feeling good warming up and then I started the game and I retired the first batter with one pitch," said Lopez through interpreter Billy Russo. "Then, I don't know exactly what happened. "That's something I need to get better on. But sometimes you can't explain why things happen. Like I said, I felt really good, but I don't know. After that first out, I don't know exactly what happened." Lopez walked four and struck out just one over five innings and 89 pitches, recording four swing-and-misses in total and topping out at 96.7 mph with the fastball. In his last six starts, Lopez has allowed 23 earned runs on 39 hits over 34 1/3 innings to raise his ERA from 3.35 to 4.13. In that span, he fanned 26, walked 17 and given up six home runs. Gonzales carried a no-hitter into the sixth against the White Sox before Adam Engel's two-out, infield single. Tim Anderson followed with a two-run shot to left, his 14th this season, leaving him four away from a career- high and six homers shy of a 20 homer/20 stolen-base campaign. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Two, the unusual way: With runners on first and third and one out in the third for Seattle, the White Sox were able to turn an inning-ending double play. This double play, if you were scoring at home, went 5-2-5- 1-6-7. Span broke for home from third on Mike Zunino's grounder and was eventually tagged out by Anderson in the rundown. Anderson turned and fired a strike to left fielder Leury Garcia, covering at third, who tagged out Healy to complete the play. SOUND SMART Lopez is 2-6 with a 4.95 ERA on the road this season, compared to 2-2 with a 3.17 ERA at home. His 51 walks rank fourth highest in the American League. HE SAID IT "Staying focused is something that's going to be very, very important for him moving forward. We've seen him where he looks lights out and unhittable. Today wasn't that day." -- Renteria, on Lopez UP NEXT The White Sox begin a four-game series against the Angels in Anaheim on Monday night with a first pitch scheduled for 9:07 p.m. CT. Lucas Giolito (6-8, 6.18 ERA) is scheduled to make his 20th start of the season, the 10th on the road and his first against the Angels. Giolito Is 3-4 with a 4.97 ERA, 26 strikeouts and a .237 opponents' average in nine starts on the road this season. The Angels counter with Jaime Barria (5- 6, 3.55 ERA). Leury's versatility increases his trade value By Scott Merkin / MLB.com / July 22, 2018 SEATTLE -- Much of the trade talk involving the White Sox seems to center upon pitchers such as James Shields, Joakim Soria and Luis Avilan or even first baseman Jose Abreu and right fielder Avisail Garcia. But a versatile player such as Leury Garcia also could have great value. Garcia started in center during Saturday night's 5-0 victory over the Mariners at Safeco Field, but moved to left field in the ninth inning and took a two-run home run away from Mitch Haniger. He was back in left field for Sunday's series finale, but can play every position including pitcher and catcher, if necessary. "Leroy is obviously a tremendous asset for us to have," said White Sox manager Rick Renteria of the switch- hitting Garcia. "The ability for him to play all three outfield positions, as everyone has seen, play all infield positions -- we haven't had him at first or behind the plate -- but does a really nice job of really not skipping a beat wherever you put him. "He's a guy that's very athletic. Obviously feels very comfortable in the role that he's in. He embraces it, probably has a lot of fun with it, which allows him the freedom to express himself physically very well, and at the plate as well." Shortstop is Garcia's natural position and his favorite. Garcia smiled when adding third base was his least favorite spot. "It's too close to home plate," said Garcia with a laugh. "But when [Renteria] put me on third base the other day, I was ready. I was like 'Let's go, why not?' But this is the difficult one. "Ricky puts me in different positions. That's my job. Utility guy, play different positions. I like it. I've been more in the lineup." In his first year of arbitration, Garcia is earning $1.175 million. The White Sox still have two years of control with the 27-year-old. "I don't think about that," said Garcia the possibility of being traded. "I just put my mind in the game, do my best, try to help the team. And just keep working. I can control that. You can just control in the game. I don't think about it right now." Rodon getting ready When Carlos Rodon takes the mound Tuesday in Anaheim, it will be his first start since July 11. Rodon is back on his regular starting preparatory schedule, having thrown a bullpen session Saturday. Rodon also played catch with Kevan Smith during the All-Star break at UIC. The break didn't exactly come at an opportune time for the southpaw, who had allowed two runs on eight hits with 13 strikeouts over his last 13 1/3 innings. But he's ready to pick up where he left off in California. "Just getting ahead. Fastball command is a little better," said Rodon of his progression since returning to the mound on June 9 after rehab following arthroscopic shoulder surgery last September. "Things just crispening up a little bit. Going well. Hopefully keeps going that way. Just give my team a chance to win every day I go out there. Find some consistency and find ways to win." Third to first • Corey Zangari, who had nine home runs in 64 at-bats for Advanced Rookie Great Falls this season, injured his right hand during his first game with Class A Kannapolis on July 20.