Sveum: Konerko’s slump-proof
On the eve of the second round of the crosstown series, Cubs manager Dale Sveum spoke a bit about the White Sox and Paul Konerko.
‘‘Obviously, they’re doing a nice job there, but we’re worried day in and day out about us,’’ Sveum said. ‘‘We know there will be a different atmosphere playing the White Sox, especially after getting swept here [in May].’’
A former hitting coach, Sveum has great respect for Paul Konerko, who leads the American League in batting average and lived near Sveum’s Phoenix-area home for a time.
‘‘His mechanics don’t allow him to fall into slumps, and he’s a great fastball hitter,’’ Sveum said. ‘‘You don’t fall into slumps when you can still hit the fastball. He’s one of those unbelievably professional hitters who comes around once in a while.’’
Left out
The Cubs will face three right-handed starters against the Sox with lefty Chris Sale being skipped for the series. That’s a break for the Cubs because Sale has emerged as one of baseball’s best starters.
Going into the series finale against the Red Sox, the Cubs were only 3-14 against lefthanded starters, including a 4-3 loss Saturday against Jon Lester. They faced another lefty, Franklin Morales, on Sunday night.
‘‘It’s almost a fluke,’’ Sveum said. ‘‘I thought it would be a strength because we have a lot of right-handed hitters who have done well in their careers against lefties. But Saturday, we got a three-run homer from the only lefthanded batter [ Luis Valbuena] in the lineup. We need to get more crooked numbers like that from our right-handed hitters. We’re getting hits, just not scoring runs.’’
Catch-up time
Geovany Soto (left-knee arthroscopy) could be back with the Cubs on Monday, but they might keep Welington Castillo and Steve Clevenger, as well, and make another roster move.
‘‘It’s still to be determined, but it’s a possibility for a little bit because Clevenger is so versatile,’’ Sveum said of carrying three catchers.
Clevenger, who also bats left-handed, took ground balls at third base during batting practice.
While Soto returns, third baseman Ian Stewart (left-wrist soreness) will see a specialist Monday at the Cleveland Clinic to diagnose his injury.
Meanwhile, catcher Koyie Hill declined a minor-league assignment and accepted his release.
Ivan Nova gave up one run in 7⅔ innings to win his fifth consecutive start, Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano hit solo home runs and the New York Yankees beat the host Washington Nationals 4-1 to complete a sweep of the series between division leaders.
Nova (9-2) is unbeaten in his last 15 road starts, a streak that has been going for more than a year. He is 12-0 away from Yankee Stadium since losing to the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim on June 3, 2011.
The Yankees won their ninth in a row, their longest winning streak since May 2009.
Max Scherzer struck out 12 in eight dominant innings, rookie Quintin Berry had a career-high five hits and the host Detroit Tigers beat the Colorado Rockies 5-0. Scherzer has struck out at least nine batters six times this season, most in the majors.
Denard Span had an RBI single with two outs in the 15th inning, and the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen pitched nine scoreless innings as the host Twins rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4.
Alex Cobb pitched twohit ball for seven innings and struck out a careerhigh 10, B.J. Upton hit a first-inning leadoff homer and the host Tampa Bay Rays beat the Miami Marlins 3-0.