Watch CBS News

Levine: Division Losses Piling Up For White Sox

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Winning division games has been a difficult task for the White Sox this season, and they couldn't change that pattern Sunday afternoon.

Looking for a series victory against the defending champion Kansas City Royals, Chicago fell 3-1 at U.S. Cellular Field. The setback dropped the White Sox to 10-14 against AL Central foes, a mark propped up by a 6-0 record against the lowly Twins while they've gone 4-14 against the rest. Chicago is now 2-7 against Kansas City this season.

After being skipped in his previous start because of neck and shoulder stiffness, left-hander Carlos Rodon (2-6) went six innings Sunday, allowing single runs in the first two innings while scattering seven hits, walking two and striking out seven.

"To get deep into a game and have it controlled is important for him," manager Robin Ventura said before the game. "He wants to win a ballgame and that will always be his primary goal. Put us in a position to win it."

Rodon did just that, but the White Sox offense couldn't come through against right-hander Yordano Ventura. The only scoring for Chicago was a solo homer by Jose Abreu in the sixth inning, his eighth blast of the year.

The White Sox hit into three double plays while striking out 10 times against Ventura and 12 times on the day.

"We have to just keep playing, and things will turn our way eventually," Rodon said. "There is no worrying in here. We know we are good enough. We are just going through a rough patch. Hopefully, we will come out of it and start winning."

As Royals manager Ned Yost pointed out Saturday, the AL Central race may go down to the wire with four teams -- but if the White Sox want to be involved, they have to reverse a course that's seen them lose 22 of their past 30 games.

"Any time you can win a series, that is what you are shooting for," Ventura said. "With your in division games and teams you play all the time, you always want to do that."

Chicago has lost five straight division series and eight out of its last nine series in total.

"I see the division being pretty close the whole season," White Sox catcher Alex Avila said. "It will be a dog fight all the way to the end. The team that can sustain some kind of consistent play will come out on top. It should be a fun year. It's not how we have wanted to play the last few days. We are still right in the thick of things."

At 31-32, the White Sox have fallen under.500 for the second time this season, and their offseason continues to be spotty. They've averaged 3.2 runs in their past 10 games, going 4-6.

"We only have so many guys in there," Ventura said. "Some of the guys have to pick it up. Our DH spot is going to rotate somewhat. These are the guys we got. We have to figure out something."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.