Levine: Adam Eaton A Key Cog In White Sox Winning Streak
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The simple breakdown of the recent resurgence of the Chicago White Sox, winners of six in a row entering Tuesday evening's contest against the Indians, can be directed and dissected in many different ways. The pitching and defense are certainly areas that have improved. Without those two elements, you rarely perform well enough to compete.
Offense is a story as well. With the game evolving and scoring taking a dip in recent years, lead-off men like Chicago's Adam Eaton have once again become essential elements of run production in the major leagues. Recently, the 26-year-old center fielder has rediscovered his game after a really rough start to the season. Before his current seven-game hitting streak, Eaton was batting .186. He's hitting .375 during the last seven games and has made better decisions in the field and on the bases. Chicago has averaged 5.0 runs per game in that stretch as well.
The popular Eaton T-shirt with his likeness on the tip of a straw stirring a drink has been the favorite pregame garb for almost two weeks now. Eaton hates the attention of a quote that he uttered, but he has been a good sport about it. The team has gone on its first winning streak of any consequence since the shirts appeared in the clubhouse.
"A team that gets along and can enjoy each other's company can have fun and make fun of each other," Eaton said. "It goes a long way. If a T-shirt does that and you guys (the media) want to write about it, be my guest. We have fun with each other, and you can tell when we walk someone off (like Carlos Sanchez's game-winning hit Monday). Everyone is all smiles and having fun. If we continue to do what we need to, we will win a lot of ballgames."
The second-guessing of the White Sox had become a sore spot for this underachieving team that had fallen six games under .500 at its low-water point in the second week of May before winning eight of its last nine. Using the doubters as a chip on their collective shoulders has been a nice focal point for the White Sox.
"Things like that can bring teams closer together," Eaton said. "An example of that is Kansas City. They are about them against the world. They have been very successful at it. They have come together as a team and played really, really good baseball."
Eaton kidded about loving the media, but the underlying point has been noted. So too has the importance of Eaton, whose contributions are vital for the White Sox to have top offensive production.
"We like being comrades in here," Eaton said.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
