Hamstring could send Avila to DL
White Sox catcher Alex Avila left the game Saturday with tightness in his right hamstring.
Avila, who said he injured himself while running to second base, fears he’s likely headed for the disabled list.
Manager Robin Ventura said Avila wasn’t moving around too well after the game and would be re-evaluated Sunday. Avila isn’t expecting good news.
“It’s very disappointing and a little frustrating,” Avila said.
“I’ve been feeling great physically, and I was really swinging the bat well and having some good [at-bats] the last few games.”
High-energy guy
Second baseman Brett Lawrie has added a high dose of energy that his teammates are still getting used to.
Ventura recently said that if Lawrie wasn’t carrying his weight, he would be “a pain in the [butt] in a lot of ways.”
But Lawrie is hitting .286, and he delivered a two- out, two-run double Friday night, putting his energetic style on display again.
“Being honest, I’ve never had a teammate like him,” first baseman Jose Abreu said.
While his teammates are trying their best to figure him out, Lawrie, who made a couple of sparkling plays Saturday, including a diving stop and around-the-back flip to second base, takes their reaction in stride. He admits his personality is different, but he won’t change it.
As far as Abreu’s assertion, which speaks to Lawrie’s uniqueness, he’s happy to contribute any way he can.
“[It’s] me being me,” Law- rie said. “I’m not trying to do anything crazy. I’m just being me. I’m glad that’s being perceived well. It ain’t going to stop. We’re going to keep having fun with one another.”
History-making
According to the Society for Baseball Research, the Sox’ 9-3-26-2-5 triple play Friday night was the first of its kind in baseball history.
The triple play was the Sox’ first since 2006.
“I wouldn’t imagine that combination has been used too often,” Ventura said Saturday. ‘‘It was all over the place.”
Bullish pen
Heading into the game against the Rangers, the Sox’ bullpen led the majors with a 1.55 ERA (eight earned runs in 46„ innings) with 16 strikeouts.
Closer David Robertson blew his first save, but Matt Albers picked up the victory with a scoreless 11th inning.
Ventura has confidence in the tight-knit group moving forward.
“Anytime a bullpen is as effective as that, it’s good for your team,” Ventura said.
“They just think one day at a time. Every situation, every game is a little bit different, but every guy out there has an idea of where they’re fitting and how they’re going to be used.”
Follow me on Twitter @JeffArnold_.