ABREU KEEPS BASHING
Slugger is a one-man gang with seven RBI, five runs scored as Sox blow out Tigers
SOX BEAT
Jose Abreu’s enormous season managed to get even bigger Saturday night.
A night after seeing his 22-game hitting streak snapped, the White Sox first baseman went 4-for-4 with a pair of three-run homers, drove in seven runs and scored five runs in a 14-0 blowout of the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field. Abreu is the first player in club history to get four-plus hits, two homers, seven RBI and five runs in a game.
The Sox’ other AL Most Valuable Player candidate, shortstop Tim Anderson, had four singles in five at-bats, raising his average to .358 as the Sox won for the 19th time in 24 games to improve to 2916 and keep their grip on first place in the AL Central.
Eloy Jimenez had a walk and three hits, including a double, Yasmani Grandal scored three runs and Nomar Mazara a two-run double, but Abreu, the AL Player of the Month for July/August, was the headliner with his 14th and 15th homers. The defending AL RBI champ, Abreu took over the major-league lead with 47 by the fifth inning. The homers, against Michael Fulmer and Bryan Garcia, traveled 429 and 435 feet.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it is for other pitchers to pitch against him,” said Sox winning pitcher Reynaldo Lopez.
Abreu, who walked his fifth time up, passed Magglio Ordonez and is third in club history with 17 multihomer games behind Paul Konerko (29) and Frank Thomas (26).
“I can’t brag about these kids any more,” manager Rick Renteria said. “They’re just showing you what they are capable of doing.”
“Abreu, he might be one of the best hitters in the game, in my opinion,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “And if I’ve only seen him facing my team, he is the best hitter, because he just kills us.”
Somewhat buried, but not overlooked, under the big pile of numbers posted by the Sox’ league leading offense on a 19-hit night was the scoreless five-inning stint by Lopez.
If Lopez wants to jump on the Sox’ win wagon, there’s an open seat waiting. He pitched — finally — like he wants to by allowing no runs and three hits and a walk while striking out two. Renteria turned the game over to the bullpen with Lopez at 75 pitches and probably having earned a start against the Reds on Friday, unless Dallas Keuchel (back spasms) can’t go Thursday against the Twins.
The Sox continue to roll despite having to patch things together with their starting rotation. Lopez, who entered with an 8.38 ERA and many days at the team’s training facility in Schaumburg to work through a sore shoulder and ineffectiveness, was recalled Thursday to take Keuchel’s turn.
“They sent me there for a reason and I went for the purpose of getting better,” Lopez said through a translator. “I feel like I am in a better place. I had better rhythm and I was able to maintain it throughout my outing.”
“That’s what we needed from him,” Renteria said.
“When he came into the clubhouse he had a very good look. Confident and calm and I thought his mound presence was fantastic, It’s a boost to build his confidence. It was a big game for him and for us.”
Jimmy Cordero, Alex McRae (two innings) and Bernardo Flores pitched scoreless relief after Lopez.
The Sox go for a series sweep Sunday with right-hander Jonathan Stiever getting called up from Schaumburg to make his major-league debut. Stiever is the Sox’ No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.