Headlines of July 28, 2015 “Bats alive from beginning to end in Boston” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox win fifth straight at Fenway” … Ian Browne and Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Samardzija deflects uncertainty ahead of start” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Slumping LaRoche to sit out two games” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “Samardzija set to make first start at Fenway Park” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox run leaving Jeff Samardzija in trade-deadline limbo” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Monday's recap: White Sox 10, Red Sox 8” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Adam Eaton has big game in debut as White Sox DH” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “Report: White Sox waiting on Jeff Samardzija deal until after Red Sox series” … David Just, Chicago Sun Times “Watch: Scouting report on White Sox first-round pick Carson Fulmer” … David Just, Chicago Sun Times “White Sox hold off Red Sox for fifth consecutive win” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times “White Sox, Samardzija wait out trade deadline week” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times “Eaton at DH, slumping LaRoche out as White Sox open series at Fenway” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times “White Sox show resilience in big comeback win” … Tony Lee, ESPN.com “Rapid Reaction: White Sox 10, Red Sox 8” … Tony Lee, ESPN.com “White Sox outlast Red Sox 10-8” … Associated Press, ESPN.com “Adam Eaton gets first start at DH for struggling Adam LaRoche” … Tony Lee, ESPN.com “Jeff Samardzija ready, for next start or a deadline deal” … Tony Lee, ESPN.com “White Sox offense comes through again for fifth straight win” … Dan Hayes, CSN “With trade deadline approaching, White Sox enter Shark Week” … Dan Hayes, CSN “White Sox give Adam LaRoche breather to work on approach” … Dan Hayes, CSN “Adam Eaton fine, but White Sox keep him out of the field” … Dan Hayes, CSN “White Sox have Jeff Samardzija penciled in for Tuesday” … Dan Hayes, CSN “White Sox-Red Sox Preview” … Associated Press, FoxSports.com

Bats alive from beginning to end in Boston Six hitters come through with multiple hits By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | 12:19 AM ET BOSTON -- The White Sox scored early Monday night. The White Sox scored often. The White Sox scored more than enough to offset a rare off-night for John Danks and claim a 10-8 victory over the Red Sox for their fifth straight win.

It's a trend that really began last Tuesday night at home against the Cardinals, when the White Sox rallied from a 7-0 deficit to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth. But this night at Fenway Park was a payback for the myriad times pitching has carried the South Siders this season without major contributions from the bats.

"Today was an easy one to kind of look at like, 'Man, we already put runs up and now we have to go back and get more runs to get the lead,'" said White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers, who drove home J.B. Shuck with the go-ahead run in the seventh. "We responded well.

"That's good. The pitching has been pretty dominant for us for a period of time. It's nice to be able to pick them up a little bit, even though I thought John threw the ball really well."

Danks was staked to a 4-0, first-inning lead. Boston not only erased that deficit but eventually claimed a 6-5 edge in the fourth and a 7-6 advantage in the fifth. Past struggles from the offense made it difficult to amass 10 runs in two or three games, let alone one, and the add-on was pretty much a foreign concept.

Yet, the White Sox knocked out a season-high nine extra-base hits, which totaled seven doubles and two triples. They even started the game with back-to-back triples from Adam Eaton and Tyler Saladino off of Joe Kelly, marking the first time the White Sox opened with two triples since June 15, 1954, against the A's.

Eaton finished a homer short of the cycle, while Melky Cabrera produced his career-best fifth straight multi-hit performance. Six of the nine starters had more than one hit, with the White Sox getting eight hits with runners in scoring position.

"Our bullpen and the offense picked me up," said Danks, who allowed six earned runs over 4 1/3 innings, after making two scoreless starts to open the second half. "I'm happy to get the win."

"Guys are confident. They're coming in, being aggressive and swinging it," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You just don't mess with it. You let them go and let them play and let them feel confident like that."

As general manager Rick Hahn decides what moves to make for this team with Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline approaching, be it as a buyer or seller or somewhere in between, the White Sox hope this renewed confidence is a long-term, playoff-directed sort of thing.

"Early on, we didn't catch any breaks and now we're starting to find holes and drive guys in with two outs," Eaton said. "It's been good the last couple weeks."

White Sox win fifth straight at Fenway By Ian Browne and Scott Merkin / MLB.com

BOSTON -- The White Sox came out swinging on Monday night at Fenway Park and never really stopped, notching a 10-8 victory over the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series.

"Hopefully, this run is a thing, a sign of things to come, if you will," said White Sox starting pitcher John Danks, who did not factor in the decision. "It's going to be how we play the rest of the season and hopefully get back in it."

After Joe Kelly gave up four runs in the top of the first, Boston came storming back with two in the first and two more in the second and actually led, 7-6, after five.

But the White Sox kept coming, and finally took the lead for good on an RBI single by Tyler Flowers in the seventh. Adam Eaton added an insurance run with an RBI single later in the inning.

Eaton had three hits, and Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu also had multi-hit games. Mookie Betts led the Red Sox with a three-hit night, and David Ortiz clubbed a homer to center, his third in the last two games.

"Bottom line of this game tonight is that we couldn't put up enough zeros," said Red Sox manager John Farrell.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Changing the opening credits: The White Sox didn't wait long to jump on Kelly. Eaton and Tyler Saladino opened with triples, followed by Cabrera's double, and two more runs scored on a Kelly fielding error and an Alexei Ramirez double play. The 4-0 start cut the club's first-inning deficit to a dismal 72-36.

"We've been taking our licks in the first inning so far this year," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "But for these guys to come out swinging and get something for the pitchers before they go out has been nice."

Kelly shaky again: The month-long stint in Triple-A didn't seem to help Kelly. For the second straight start since returning, the righty took the loss. In this one, he lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and five runs. This was the third straight start, and fourth in the last five, that Kelly has allowed four runs or more.

"It is what it is right now," said Kelly, who has a 5.94 ERA. "Something that I just have to keep fighting. I'm not going to give up out there. Just going to keep pitching."

What a relief: Four White Sox relievers combined to shut down a Red Sox attack that scored seven by the fifth inning against Danks. Matt Albers threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, Jake Petricka was dominant in finishing off the seventh and the eighth, and closer David Robertson survived a 33-pitch ninth to get the save.

"You can single anyone of them out there," Danks said. "They all did a great job. To throw up five scoreless or whatever it was they did, you know they did a good job. That's what they've done all year."

NAPOLI THROWN OUT

Home-plate umpire Toby Basner ejected Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli in the first inning for throwing his helmet, which grazed Basner's leg, following a called strike three. Farrell briefly marched onto the field to argue Basner's decision before returning to the dugout. Napoli, whose name has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate, was replaced by Daniel Nava at first.

"There was no intent on the equipment hitting him. Equipment hits an umpire, it's their immediate prerogative to eject the player," said Farrell. "We needed Nap to stay in the game. Unfortunately, the helmet hits him, and he's ejected."

QUOTABLE

"Just hit the ball where they ain't and run like I'm 5-8 and try to get in there. That's all I do." -- Eaton, on his approach on offense

UNDER FURTHER REVIEW

The Red Sox lost a challenge in the sixth inning when an out at first base stood as called after review. With no outs, Betts hit a comebacker to Albers, who flipped it to Abreu just before Boston's center fielder reached the bag. The review lasted approximately one minute and 43 seconds. Farrell has gone 13-for-34 on replay challenges this season.

WHAT'S NEXT

White Sox: Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to make the start Tuesday night at Fenway Park, and as of Monday night, the right-hander looked good to go. The only thing that would stop a Samardzija start is if the White Sox decided to trade the free-agent-to-be. Samardzija has gone nine straight starts where he has worked at least seven innings. First pitch is at 6:10 p.m. CT.

Red Sox: Lefty Wade Miley, who has pitched well in his last two starts, takes the ball in Tuesday's 7:10 p.m. ET contest at Fenway Park. Miley earned a win in his only previous career start against the White Sox, allowing four hits and two runs over seven innings.

Samardzija deflects uncertainty ahead of start Scheduled to face Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 27th, 2015

BOSTON -- The White Sox schedule for Tuesday lists Jeff Samardzija as their starting pitcher, going against Boston's Wade Miley.

As far as the right-hander and White Sox manager Robin Ventura have been informed, Samardzija will be making that start at Fenway Park.

"I'm scheduled to pitch him tomorrow, and he gave me the, 'Yeah, he's going to pitch tomorrow,'" said Ventura of his talk with general manager Rick Hahn about Samardzija's status. "That's where I go. I don't talk with any other GMs. I don't do any of that stuff."

"Yeah, yeah, as far as I've been told," said Samardzija, who has relieved for the Cubs at Fenway but never started at the historic ballpark. "I'm going to get ready, first time pitching here in Boston, so I'm excited. I'm just looking forward to preparing for that, and hopefully I'll go out and have a good start."

Of course, the only way Samardzija won't make start No. 21 of the 2015 season for the White Sox is if he's traded beforehand. Nothing seems to be in the offing, although Hahn has been put in an interesting position thanks to a four-game sweep of the Indians at Progressive Field.

The White Sox beat up on a team that didn't play well for four straight days, and that four-game winning streak simply improved the White Sox to 5-5 after the All-Star break. They haven't yet reached .500 and remain somewhat on the fringe of the American League Wild Card picture. But there was something different about that quartet of victories from past hot streaks.

Regardless of how the Indians performed, the White Sox played their best four games of the season in terms of offensive production, airtight defense and pitching that gave up five runs. So Hahn has to decide if it's worth moving the free-agent-to-be in Samardzija, or does it make better sense to hang on to Samardzija and let the White Sox play out this run.

Samardzija understands the tug of war in the thought process for Hahn.

"It's just the parity of the game right now. Within each front office of every team, they have an idea of how they feel it's going," Samardzija said. "Sometimes the record doesn't totally show the situation of the team, so I'm sure they assess that amongst themselves and go from there.

"All we can do is show up and play every day. We love how we've been playing. Our little road trip here against an Indians team that was down a little bit on offense with some injuries, and obviously everyone knows the status of this Boston team, so we need to come in and handle our business, and when the Deadline comes down the road, you see where you're at.

"Rick's a professional," Samardzija said. "Rick's one of the best I've worked with, and I have full confidence in him respectfully keeping me informed or not informed, depending on what he knows and doesn't know. I'm just trying to stay in my lane and just do what I do with pitching and let everyone else handle that."

Slumping LaRoche to sit out two games DH struck out 11 times in four-game weekend series By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | @scottmerkin | July 27th, 2015

BOSTON -- Adam LaRoche will sit for the first two games of a four-game Boston set, as the White Sox designated hitter tries to work his way out of a season-long slump that hit somewhat of a low point during the four-game weekend series in Cleveland.

The 35-year-old is hitting .212 with nine homers, 34 RBIs and a .347 slugging percentage. LaRoche also has fanned 108 times over 311 at-bats, including 11 times in Cleveland. He has not homered since June 24 in Minnesota, covering a stretch of 25 games.

"Probably give him two just to work out some things," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of LaRoche's absence from the starting lineup in Monday's eventual 10-8 victory. "I know you can get frustrated. I know he's frustrated with yesterday, and you give him today.

"Rochey can kind of work it out in the cage and have a couple of days knowing he can go in there and work on some stuff. He's trying to figure it out. You continue to do that. He'll be back in there to play. But for two days, he's going to ease the mind and not be in there."

Adam Eaton moved into the designated-hitter's spot, with J.B. Shuck taking over in center. Eaton jammed his left shoulder in a game Saturday and sat out Sunday. So giving him a couple of days to rest isn't the worst thing, although both Eaton and Ventura said he was physically stronger on Monday.

Eaton never had an at-bat as the designated hitter, but went 3-for-6 with two RBIs and finished a home run shy of a cycle.

"I might swing harder, that's what you're supposed to do, right? Drive in runs and swing harder," a smiling Eaton said before the game. "It's going to be different."

Samardzija set to make first start at Fenway Park By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 27th, 2015

When the Red Sox face the White Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday night, they'll do so without a major contributor to their dramatic 2013 World Series run, as veteran outfielder Shane Victorino was traded to the Angels on Monday.

Victorino, who hit .282 with 18 homers across parts of three seasons in Boston, could be one of a few veterans dealt by the struggling Red Sox leading up to Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. For now, the move creates an everyday opening in right field for 27-year-old Cuban native Rusney Castillo, who was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday.

The White Sox, meanwhile, are trending in the opposite direction following a five-game winning streak. They'll look to lean on a talented Cuban player of their own in first baseman Jose Abreu, who comes in riding a seven-game hitting streak, and right-hander Jeff Samardzija, who could be making his final start in a White Sox uniform ahead of Friday's Trade Deadline, in the second matchup of this four-game series.

Three things to know about this game

• The Red Sox will retire new Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez's No. 45 in a pregame ceremony on Tuesday.

• Left-hander Wade Miley (8-8, 4.33 ERA) draws the start for Boston. His only previous outing against the White Sox came at U.S. Cellular Field on May 10, 2014, when he held them to two runs over seven innings and recorded six strikeouts.

• Samardzija (7-5, 3.91 ERA) has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last nine starts, the longest such streak in the Majors this season. He threw eight innings of one-run ball against the Indians on Thursday.

• Red Sox utility man Brock Holt sat out Monday's series opener with a knee injury, but manager John Farrell expects him to be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Infielder Jemile Weeks started at second base in Holt's absence.

White Sox run leaving Jeff Samardzija in trade-deadline limbo Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija has thought about which teams he might like to pitch for in the future.

It would be hard not to with the possibility of a trade hanging over him this week and his impending free agency after this season. As a fan of the game, he watches how other teams play on the field and handle their operations off it, including drafting and developing players.

"In my situation, you're always paying attention," Samardzija said. "You're always watching the teams you're playing against. You're always watching how they go about their business, and you start to take mental notes of different things."

As of Monday evening, Samardzija was still scheduled to pitch for the White Sox on Tuesday at Fenway Park for the second of a four-game series against the Red Sox.

As the White Sox topped the Red Sox 10-8 in the opener Monday, the team and Samardzija were in limbo waiting for the decision from general manager Rick Hahn on whether deals would be made before Friday's non-waiver deadline.

Complicating the picture is that the White Sox, with an offense that is suddenly clicking, are 5-0 on their current trip and 4 1/2 games out of the second American League wild-card spot.

"We're making Rick have a lot more white hair, I'm sure," Adam Eaton said. "Hopefully we continue to play good baseball, and whatever happens — if guys leave or guys come — we'll put the best nine out there and do our best because that's all we can do."

Monday's recap: White Sox 10, Red Sox 8 Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune | July 27, 2015 The White Sox offense continued its recent surge Monday night, outdueling the Red Sox for a 10-8 victory in the opener of a four-game series at Fenway Park. Adam Eaton and Tyler Saladino sparked a four-run first with back-to-back triples to lead off the game, and the Sox had 15 hits to improve to 5-0 on their current trip.

Pivotal at-bats

After J.B. Shuck's double to lead off the seventh, Tyler Flowers and Eaton each hit RBI singles to give the White Sox the lead.

On the mound

After left-hander John Danks gave up seven runs on nine hits over 41/3 innings, reliever Matt Albers earned the victory by pitching 12/3 scoreless innings.

Key managerial decision

Robin Ventura gave slumping designated hitter Adam LaRoche the night off, opting to use Eaton as the DH and play Shuck in center field.

Key number

9 — Extra-base hits by the White Sox, a season high. They opened the game with back-to-back triples for the first time since 1954, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

The quote

"Guys are confident. They're coming in, being aggressive and swinging it. You just don't mess with it. You let them go and let them play and let them feel confident like that." — Ventura

The quote II

"They put the ball in play and found holes. I gave up a couple of hard-hit balls. It's just one of those nights that didn't bounce my way, but the bullpen and the offense picked me up." — Danks

Up next

At Red Sox, 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, CSN.

Adam Eaton has big game in debut as White Sox DH Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — Adam Eaton made his first major-league start at designated hitter Monday in the White Sox's 10-8 victory over the Red Sox.

It was a test he would have preferred not to take, but he passed it all the same.

Before he had to worry about what to do during defensive downtime, Eaton hit a leadoff triple off the Green Monster to spark a four-run first inning against right-hander Joe Kelly.He finished 3-for-6, also hitting a double, and drove in two runs.

"Being a DH, it's a little different," Eaton said. "They told me to come in (to the clubhouse) and fold laundry when you're not hitting, get out of the dugout."

Eaton was back in the lineup after jamming his left shoulder Saturday while trying to make a diving catch. He said the injury scared him when he woke up Sunday and couldn't lift his arm above his head, but he had regained range of motion. The Sox still held him out of center field, instead using J.B. Shuck, who was 1-for-3 with a key leadoff double in the seventh.

Eaton's DH opportunity came at the right time as manager Robin Venturadecided Adam LaRoche needed a break after starting the trip 2-for-17 over four games in Cleveland. LaRoche was hitting .122 with one RBI in his previous 14 games and had not homered since June 24, a span of 25 games.

Ventura said LaRoche likely will sit out two games, giving him time to work in the batting cage.

Report: White Sox waiting on Jeff Samardzija deal until after Red Sox series David Just, Chicago Sun Times | July 28, 2015

The White Sox are going to give themselves every possible minute before dealing away Jeff Samardzija.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Sox will wait out the rest of this week’s four-game series against the Red Sox before moving Samardzija.

As Daryl Van Schouwen noted Monday, Samardzija is the scheduled starter for Tuesday’s game, and as of now the Sox plan on having him make that start.

“I have him penciled in tomorrow,’’ manager Robin Ventura said. “As of right now he’s pitching for me tomorrow. I don’t assume to make an adjustment. I would like him to pitch for me.’’

The Sox have played their way into wild card contention with a five-game winning streak. They now sit 4.5 games back and need to jump over three teams to get there.

Here’s a snapshot of the wild card standings:

If the White Sox decide to keep Samardzija and attempt to compete the rest of the season, they will do so against perhaps the most challenging second-half schedule.

Watch: Scouting report on White Sox first-round pick Carson Fulmer David Just, Chicago Sun Times | July 28, 2015

White Sox first-round pick Carson Fulmer has now made two appearances in the club’s farm system, throwing three scoreless innings between the Arizona League and Class-A Winston-Salem.

Fulmer has four strikeouts and one walk in those three innings of work.

The Sox drafted Fulmer with the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft and signed him for $3.47 million.

Watch MLB.com’s new scouting report of the budding Sox hurler: http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/829581/watch-scouting-report-white-sox-first-round-pick-carson-fulmer

White Sox hold off Red Sox for fifth consecutive win Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — The White Sox bullpen did what John Danks couldn’t do — quiet a Red Sox lineup that kept coming after the visitors’ starting pitcher — and the Sox offense continued on a rare hitting spree for a 10-8 victory Monday night at Fenway Park.

The victory was the fifth in a row for the White Sox (47-50), who were coming off a four-game series sweep of the Cleveland Indians. The Sox, last in the major leagues in runs, have scored 6, 2, 8, 6, 10, 2 and 10 runs in their last seven games. They banged out 15 hits Monday, including a season-high nine for extra bases (two triples, seven doubles).

After Danks gave up seven runs (six earned) over 4 2/3 innings, Matt Albers (1-0), Zach Duke and Jake Petricka combined on 3 1/3 scoreless frames. The Sox bullpen, which into the game with a 1.98 ERA over the last 19 games, was nicked for one run against Robertson in the ninth on Pablo Sandoval’s RBI single that skipped past second baseman Carlos Sanchez with two outs.

The Red Sox brought the winning run to the plate, but Robertson got Ryan Hanigan to bounce out to third baseman Tyler Saladino — who committed his first two errors of the season — for the last out.

Catcher Tyler Flowers and Eaton (single, double, triple) each drove in a pair of runs, Flowers the go-ahead run in the seventh on a single that scored J.B. Shuck, who hustled out a leg double.

“The hustle double really was the one,” manager Robin Ventura said. “[Against] a tough lefty [Robbie Ross], and he comes in and gets it into center and hustles into second. That’s the other thing. We were pretty aggressive trying to take some extra bases. Shucky can play. You get him out there, and you like watching him play.”

Shuck played center while Eaton DH’d to give slumping Adam LaRoche a night off. LaRoche is expected to sit out Tuesday against Red Sox lefty Wade Miley as well.

“Melky is getting hot (12-for-26 over a six-game hitting streak) and a lot of guys are starting to hit the ball hard and swinging the bats well,” Eaton said. “And we’re catching some more breaks. Early on we didn’t catch any breaks and now we’re starting to find holes and drive guys in with two outs. It’s been good the last couple weeks.”

It’s been a good month for the Sox, who are 14-8 in July and trying to be a factor in the wild card picture. With the trade deadline looming Friday, and Tuesday starter Jeff Samardzija the subject of trade rumors, the Sox find themselves four down in the loss column behind the Minnesota Twins, who occupy the second wild card spot.

“We know where we stand,” Danks said. “We know we have to keep this up. We can only win one game at a time. So, we are having fun. This is a fun team. They all enjoy being around each other. Hopefully this run is a thing, a sign of things to come if you will. It’s going to be how we play the rest of the season.”

When Eaton caromed a fly ball off the Green Monster in his first at-bat as a DH and Saladino lined a shot into the right field corner, it marked the first time the Sox started a game with back-to-back triples since Chico Carrasquel and Nellie Fox on June 15, 1954. The Sox scored four in the first against Joe Kelly, but the Red Sox got two back in the first on David Ortiz’ 20th homer. They scored two more in the second to tie.

Cabrera doubled in his first two at-bats, giving him five consecutive multi-hit games, a career high. Cabrera (12 doubles in his last 30 games), Flowers, Carlos Sanchez, Avisail Garcia and Jose Abreu each had two hits for the White Sox.

Sanchez extended his hitting streak to 10 games, raising his average to .225. Abreu stretched his hitting streak to seven.

White Sox, Samardzija wait out trade deadline week Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times | July 27, 2015

BOSTON – Will he or won’t he?

Jeff Samardzija is planning on pitching for the White Sox Tuesday and manager Robin Ventura is planning on him, but with three days left before the trade deadline Friday, everyone on the White Sox is kind of waiting around to see if Samardzija stays or goes.

“I have him penciled in [Tuesday],’’ manager Robin Ventura said. “As of right now he’s pitching for me. I don’t assume to make an adjustment. I would like him to pitch for me.’’

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, and a few other managers as well, could do a lot worse than having Samardzija pitch for them. The Jays need pitching, the White Sox need prospects, and the two could be a good fit in a deal.

The Sox won their fifth straight game Monday and general manager Rick Hahn, who is not under pressure to trade the second biggest piece in his rotation, may wait till Friday to decide. The Sox have a half dozen bunched-up teams to top for a wild-card berth so they’ll need Samardzija if they go for it, and they stand to get a compensatory draft pick if they keep him for the rest of the year and make him a qualifying offer before he becomes a free agent. So all would not be lost if the non-waiver deadline passes by without a deal.

“It’s kind of unfortunate we are playing our best baseball at the time of the trade deadline, we’re making Rick have a lot more white hair, I’m sure,’’ Sox outfielder Adam Eaton said. “I’m sure he knows what to do but we’re playing our best baseball right now. Nothing we can do. Just continue to try to play good baseball.’’

When Jake Peavy was in trade talks leading to the deadline two years ago, he expressed appreciation for Hahn keeping him up to speed on what was happening.

“I’ve left that up to my agent and Rick, and I’m going to let them handle it,’’ Samardzija said. “I’m just trying to stay in my lane and just do what I do with pitching and let everyone else handle that. Rick’s a professional, Rick’s one of the best I’ve worked with, and I have full confidence in him respectfully keeping me informed or not informed, depending on what he knows and doesn’t know.’’

The extra wild card and parity creates more of a gray area for teams like the Sox, who were built to win but failed miserably before winning 18 of their last 30. The Sox need Samardzija to maintain that pace. They also might be wise to get something in return and revisit him in free agency.

“Within each front office of every team, they have an idea of how they feel it’s going,’’ Samardzija said. “Sometimes the record doesn’t totally show the situation of the team, so I’m sure they assess that amongst themselves and go from there. All we can do is show up and play every day.

“We love how we’ve been playing. Our little road trip here against an Indians team that was down a little bit on offense with some injuries, and obviously everyone knows the status of this [44-55] Boston team [that traded Shane Victorino to the Angels before Monday’s game], so we need to come in and handle our business, and when the deadline comes down the road, you see where you’re at.’’

Samardzija pitched at Fenway as a Cubs reliever, so he was looking forward to a first start at the historic ballpark. Nothing against AAA Charlotte right-hander Erik Johnson, whose altered schedule makes him available Tuesday just in case, but Ventura — enjoying a nice run of success finally this season — would like to see Samardzija.

“I’m scheduled to pitch him tomorrow,’’ Ventura said, “and [Hahn] gave me the ‘Yeah he’s going to pitch tomorrow.’ That’s where I go.’’

Eaton at DH, slumping LaRoche out as White Sox open series at Fenway Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Sun Times | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — Slumping designated hitter Adam LaRoche is out of the lineup, and banged-up center fielder Adam Eaton will be at DH when the White Sox open a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox Monday night at Fenway Park.

Eaton missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians that completed the Sox’ four-game sweep after he banged his left (throwing) shoulder diving for a ball in the outfield Saturday. LaRoche, who is batting .122 with one RBI in his last 14 games, will likely sit out Tuesday’s game as well with left-hander Wade Miley pitching for Boston.

The left-handed hitting LaRoche has not homered since June 24, a 25-game stretch.

“Rochey can kind of work it out in the cage and have a couple of days knowing he can go in there and work on some stuff,” manager Robin Ventura said.

“He’s trying to figure it out so he’s working through it. You continue to do that. He’ll be back in there to play. But for two days, he’s going to ease the mind and not be in there.”

Eaton’s mind, and shoulder discomfort, have been eased thanks to treatment from trainer Herm Schneider.

“It feels much better today although yesterday it was kind of tough to get my hand above my head,” Eaton said Monday. “But today [I have] full range of motion and feeling good. I’m thankful it was just a jam. Was pretty scared it might be something more than that but all the tests proved that it was just irritation and [Schneider] pushed that right out and it feels good today.”

Extra bases

When Eaton caromed a fly ball off the Green Monster and Tyler Saladino lined a shot into the right field corner in his first at-bat as a DH, it marked the first time the Sox started a game with back-to-back triples since Chico Carrasquel and Nellie Fox on June 15, 1954. The Sox scored four in the first against Joe Kelly.

*Melky Cabrera doubled in his first two at-bats, it gave him five consecutive multi-hit games, a career high. It gave Cabrera 12 doubles in his last 30 games.

Honoring Pedro

Pedro Martinez’s number 45 will be retired by the Red Sox in a pregame ceremony before the game Tuesday. Martinez was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday.

John Danks (5-8, 4.66 ERA) started for the White Sox. With four days left before the trade deadline that might see right-hander Jeff Samardzija dealt away, the Sox (46-50) played their best baseball of the season at Cleveland. Here is how the White Sox line up against the Red Sox (44-55) and right-hander Joe Kelly (2-6, 5.74):

Eaton DH

Saladino 3B

Cabrera LF

Abreu 1B

Garcia RF

Shuck CF

Ramirez SS

Flowers C

Sanchez 2B

White Sox show resilience in big comeback win Tony Lee, Special to ESPN.com | July 27, 2015

BOSTON -- The Chicago White Sox received a rare rocky start Monday at Fenway Park, where John Danks was unable to get through five innings.

In weeks and months past, that was a recipe for disaster. The offense simply could not keep up, even on nights when the starting pitcher performed well, and it became the primary cause of the team’s underwhelming first half. However, the tide seemingly has turned on that front, and Monday’s 10-8 win over the Red Sox was further evidence that Chicago finally may have things working in all phases of the game.

“It’s been good to score, what, 10 or 11 the last two days,” said Adam Eaton, who fell a home run shy of the cycle. “Come out and get some hits. [Melky Cabrera’s] getting hot, a lot of guys are starting to swing the bat well, hitting the ball hard and we’re catching some more breaks. I think early on, really, we didn’t catch any breaks early on, and now we’re starting to find the holes and starting to drive some guys in with two outs, so it’s been good the last couple days, week, week and a half or so.”

It is rather fitting that Eaton, the spark-plug center fielder whose early-season struggles were a big part of Chicago’s meager attack, is setting the tone for the turnaround. He did so Monday in the unfamiliar role of designated hitter, giving his sore left shoulder an extra day of relative rest.

Eaton took the second pitch of the game from Boston starter Joe Kelly and laced a triple off the Green Monster. He scored moments later on Tyler Saladino’s triple, and Saladino came in on Cabrera’s double. The first-inning onslaught was capped at four runs. This, for a team that came into the night with an ugly run differential of minus-40 in the opening frame.

Even though Danks eventually lost the lead in what became a wild back-and-forth affair, Eaton and his mates had helped set a tone that has been all-too-absent this year.

“It’s nice to jump out in the first inning,” manager Robin Ventura said. “We’ve taken our licks in the first inning so far this year. For these guys to come out swinging and get something for the pitcher before he goes out, it’s nice.

“Even when a guy slips a little bit [as Danks did] we felt like we could come back right there. You do that, you’re able to add on late also. Just a nice job all the way around.”

Eaton’s triple was the first of a season-high nine extra-base hits for the White Sox. He is batting .381 during a five-game hitting streak, one of several impressive statistical runs for the surging lineup.

Cabrera had two doubles in the first three innings alone to record his fifth consecutive multihit game, a career high. He has an RBI in seven straight contests, also a personal best. Jose Abreu is batting .370 during a seven-game hitting streak and reached base four times in this one. And Carlos Sanchez has a hit in 10 straight games after going 2-for-5 with one of the team’s seven doubles Monday.

The relentlessness of an offense that recorded 15 hits allowed Chicago to ward off multiple charges by the Red Sox, who held leads of 6-5 and 7-6. Eaton’s RBI double in the sixth tied it 7-7 and his run-scoring base hit in the seventh made it 9-7, which was enough for the bullpen to finish things off. Along with a rotation that entered the night tied for fourth in the AL with a 3.87 ERA, the relief corps has been solid for much of the year, and even better of late.

After Danks was reached for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings, four White Sox relievers combined to allow one run in 4 2/3. Matt Albers got the win with 1 2/3 impressive frames and Jake Petricka struck out three of the five men he faced, including Ryan Hanigan with runners on the corners to end the seventh and the first two men in a 1-2-3 eighth.

While he may have failed to hold up his end of the bargain, Danks sees everyone coming together in a positive way. Even his ugly line can be seen as an aberration for a rotation that had allowed three runs in 37 1/3 innings over the previous five games.

“I picked a good night [to struggle], offense scores 10 and the bullpen shuts them down,” he said as music blared in the joyous clubhouse of a team that has won five straight by a combined score of 36-13.

“We know where we stand, we’ve got to keep this up. We’re having fun. This is a fun team. We all enjoy being around each other. Hopefully this run, it’s going to be a sign of things to come.”

At the very least, it is a sign that the White Sox, perhaps for the first time all year, are clicking on all cylinders.

Rapid Reaction: White Sox 10, Red Sox 8 Tony Lee, Special to ESPN.com | July 27, 2015

BOSTON -- The Chicago White Sox utilized a season-high nine extra-base hits and some solid relief pitching to take the series opener in Boston 10-8, extending their winning streak to five games. It was a see-saw affair that featured 27 hits, three errors, one ejection, one replay review, 18 men left on base and 349 pitches thrown by 11 pitchers in 3 hours, 54 minutes.

How it happened: Adam Eaton, serving as the designated hitter for the first time in his career, fell a homer shy of the cycle to lead the 15-hit attack. He ignited a four-run first with a leadoff triple, doubled in a tying run in the sixth after starter John Danks coughed up the lead and drove in another run with a base hit to left to make it 9-7 in the seventh. Jose Abreu reached base four times with two hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, and Tyler Flowers drove in a pair of runs.

Danks gave up seven runs (six earned) in 4⅓ innings before a well-rested bullpen helped to calm the waters. The pen combined to allow one run in 4⅔ innings, with closer David Robertson surviving a lengthy one-run ninth to nail down his 22nd save. It all adds up to the ninth win in the last 10 road games for Chicago.

What it means: The Sox are now 47-50 and have a chance Tuesday to get within two games of .500 for the first time since June 10. The surge has them 4½ games behind idle Minnesota for the second wild card just days before an intriguing trade deadline that might define the club's outlook for the rest of the season.

First thing's first: The opening frame has been a major issue all season for the White Sox, who entered the series having been outscored 72-32 in the first. They were certainly ready from the outset in this one, jumping all over Red Sox starter Joe Kelly.

Eaton tripled on Kelly's second pitch of the game and Tyler Saladino tripled on his third to make it 1-0 before most fans had grabbed a seat. Melky Cabrera doubled in another run two pitches later and Abreu was hit by a pitch. A single and an error on Kelly pushed in a third run and Chicago went up 4-0 on a double play that helped Kelly eventually escape.

Warm Melk: Cabrera had two doubles in the first three innings to extend his streak of multi-hit efforts to a career-high five. He is batting .500 (11-for-22) with two homers, five doubles and nine RBIs during the hot streak.

Second baseman Carlos Sanchez also remained hot, picking up two more hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

Finally, a free pass: Danks walked Rusney Castillo with one out in the second inning to end an impressive run. White Sox starters had not allowed a walk over the previous five games, matching the longest such stretch in franchise history (1972). The rotation combined to go 39⅔ innings between free passes in the run.

That was the only walk issued by Chicago pitchers until Robertson had two in the ninth.

Up next: Provided he is not traded before then, Jeff Samardzija will start the second game of the series Tuesday night for the White Sox. Wade Miley gets the nod for Boston, which will retire new Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez's No. 45 in a pregame ceremony. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

White Sox outlast Red Sox 10-8 Associated Press, ESPN.com | July 27, 2015

BOSTON -- Adam Eaton was given some unusual advice on what to do between at-bats in his first appearance as a designated hitter.

It must have worked. He made his time at the plate look easy.

Eaton, inserted as the DH because of a sore left shoulder, had three hits and drove in two runs to lift the Chicago White Sox to a 10-8 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.

"Being a DH, it's a little different," he said. "They told me to come back (into the clubhouse) to fold laundry, get out of the dugout, relax when you're not hitting."

It was the fifth straight win for the White Sox, coming off a four-game sweep at home over Cleveland.

Eaton had a triple, double and single to key Chicago's 15-hit night. He opened the game with his triple, sparking a four-run first.

"These guys have been swinging pretty good lately," manager Robin Ventura said. "We've been aggressive and we've been coming out in the first inning."

Boston's David Ortiz homered for the third time in two games, hitting a two-run shot after a career-best, seven-RBI night that included two three-run homers in a win Sunday.

Mookie Betts added three hits and two RBI for the Red Sox, who have lost 10 of 12.

Ortiz homered into the center-field bleachers, the 486th of his career, in the first, about 90 minutes after the club traded outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels in a deal for a minor league infielder.

"It's very emotional, for more reasons than one. I set out, and as I said from day one, I wanted to come here and I wanted to finish ... my contract here," said Victorino, who broke down in a press conference after the game.

In a seesaw contest that saw both teams squander leads, the White Sox broke a 7-all tie in the seventh against Robbie Ross Jr. (0-1).

J.B. Shuck doubled leading off and scored on Tyler Flowers' single. One out later, Eaton hit an RBI single.

"Certainly the bullpen and offense won the game today," said starter John Danks, who gave up seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Danks didn't give up a run in his previous two starts, covering 12 2/3 innings.

Matt Albers (1-0) got five outs in scoreless relief. David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Boston's Joe Kelly, making his second start after being demoted to the minors, gave up five runs -- four earned -- in 3 1/3 innings.

"He had a rough outing. A lot of elevated pitches in the strike zone," manager John Farrell said. "They were strikes, but the command within the strike zone was lacking. A lot of hard contact early."

Third baseman Tyler Saladino's second error, when he bounced a throw past first, allowed Boston to take a 7-6 edge, but the White Sox tied it on Eaton's RBI double.

Trailing 5-4 in the fourth, Boston scored twice to grab its first lead. Betts' RBI single tied it before Saladino booted Hanley Ramirez's bouncer with the bases loaded.

Boston's Ryan Hanigan had a passed ball that scored a run, tying it at 6.

The White Sox jumped ahead 4-0 in the first, scoring three before making an out. Eaton and Saladino opened the game with consecutive triples, Melky Cabrera had an RBI double and Shuck a run-scoring grounder. The fourth scored on Alexei Ramirez's double-play grounder.

TRAINER'S ROOM

White Sox: Eaton, who missed Sunday's win over Cleveland after he banged his throwing shoulder diving for a ball a day earlier, replaced slumping Adam LaRoche as the DH. He could return to center field Tuesday. "I did some throwing motion," Eaton said after the game. "I don't see why I wouldn't be back in there tomorrow."

Red Sox: Brock Holt (hyper-extended left knee) missed the game after coming out early Sunday night.

NICE COMPANY

Ortiz has 13 straight seasons with 20 or more homers with the Red Sox. The only other AL player to do it more was Babe Ruth, who had 15 with the New York Yankees from 1920-34.

PEDRO NIGHT

The Red Sox will retire Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez's No. 45 in a pregame ceremony before Tuesday's contest. It'll be the eighth Red Sox number retired -- the first of a pitcher.

UP NEXT

White Sox: RHP Jeff Samardzija (7-5) has been rumored in a handful of trades, but he's slated to start Tuesday.

Red Sox: LHP Wade Miley (8-8) looks to snap a four-game winless stretch.

Adam Eaton gets first start at DH for struggling Adam LaRoche Tony Lee, Special to ESPN.com | July 27, 2015

BOSTON -- For the first time in 302 career games, Chicago White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton will serve as the team's designated hitter for Monday’s series opener in Boston.

Eaton missed Sunday's series finale in Cleveland due to a sore left shoulder suffered while making a diving catch Saturday. He was hoping to return to his regular position but recognizes the value in easing back into things.

"It feels much better today," Eaton said Monday at Fenway Park. "Yesterday it was kind of tough to get my hand over my head but today full range of motion, feeling good. I'm thankful it's just a jam, pretty scared it might've been more than that. But all the tests proved that it was just irritation."

The move also allows manager Robin Ventura to give struggling DH Adam LaRoche some down time. LaRoche has a .653 OPS and has bottomed out in July, batting .141 with no home runs in 21 games. The slumping veteran, who last went deep on June 24, is also expected to sit Tuesday against Red Sox left-hander Wade Miley.

Adam Eaton will fill in at DH for the struggling Adam LaRoche, the first time the White Sox centerfielder has played DH in the majors. Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports

"Probably get him two [days] just to work out some things," Ventura said. "I know he is frustrated. I think with Adam Eaton sitting out yesterday, trying to rest his shoulder one more day, knowing he could DH [we could make the move]."

Ventura expressed confidence in LaRoche's ability to turn things around.

"I've been there. I know what it's like," Ventura said. "You don't necessarily have an answer for it right away. I think the good part is him playing as long as he has, he's been through some stuff and he’ll fight through it."

LaRoche, 35, is seen as one of the leaders on the White Sox even though it is his first season with the team. Amid the slump, others see value in just having him around. Eaton, for one, plans to lean heavily on the veteran for pointers.

"I don’t know if I've ever done it," he said of playing DH. "I don't know if I ever have. I might swing harder. I think that's what you're supposed to do, drive in runs and swing harder. It's going to be different. I was hoping I didn't have to, wanted to play the outfield. With that being said, excited for the challenge. Try to stay within the game, stay warmed up

and go about it that way. I'm sure I'll be sitting next to [LaRoche] and asking him what I should do in certain situations just to keep the body moving. Should be a little different perspective."

Eaton knows that LaRoche will make the most of his time off.

"It's tough. He works hard at his craft and he takes everything seriously," Eaton said. "Always professional about it. He takes his successes and failures the same and being a leader in this clubhouse, it's tough to see because he wants to do it more than anybody in here.

"We all respect the heck out of him and whatever adjustments he makes in the next couple of days will produce results and he can get back on track."

LaRoche, who spent six games with Boston in 2009, might be able to look to the other dugout for inspiration in the matter. Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli was recently given time off amid a horrid stretch. He is 9-for-21 with a home run, four doubles and four RBIs in his last six games.

Jeff Samardzija ready, for next start or a deadline deal Tony Lee, Special to ESPN.com | July 27, 2015

BOSTON -- Chicago White Sox starter Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to pitch Tuesday night at Fenway Park in the second of four games against the Red Sox. At least for now.

“I have him penciled in to pitch tomorrow,” manager Robin Ventura said of his tall right-hander, who is the subject of trade rumors for the second straight season. “As of right now he’s pitching for me tomorrow. I don’t assume to make an adjustment. I’d like him to pitch tomorrow.”

Jeff Samardjiza is 7-5 with a 3.91 ERA this season with the White Sox. AP Photo/Tony Dejak

Samardzija, whose lone appearance in Fenway Park was a rocky relief appearance in 2011 in which he gave up five runs in one inning, said he is excited for the outing. In the face of so many potential off-field distractions, that’s all he can do.

“Whether it’s a trade, family, personal business, baseball players have a lot of things that pop up throughout their seasons that are a distraction and usually get in the way of your routine,” he said Monday in Boston. “You learn as a starter that you circle the days you’re starting and everything is prepped around that. And everything that happens on the side you deal with. Your only focus is that day.”

The White Sox are coming off a four-game sweep in Cleveland and have won 18 of 30 to get within five games of the second American League wild-card spot. It has them in a precarious situation, trying to determine whether moving a free-agent-to-be like Samardzija makes sense, or if keeping him helps set up a playoff push.

Chicago has, on paper, a decided advantage on the mound in all four games at Fenway. It then returns to play 12 of its next 15 at home. A continued hot streak could move the club up the ladder and having Samardzija in the mix would obviously help. But if general manager Rick Hahn determines that the best course of action is to sell, a haul of prospects might eventually help as well.

Samardzija said he knows little of what is happening behind the scenes.

“I’ve left that with my agent and Rick, and let them handle it. I’m just trying to stay in my lane and do what I do with pitching. Rick’s a professional, one of the best I’ve worked with. I have full confidence in him respectfully keeping me informed or not informed with what he knows or doesn’t know."

The 30-year-old Samardzija, who was shipped from the Chicago Cubs to Oakland last July, recognizes how hard it is for someone like Hahn to make a definitive call.

“It’s just the parity of the game right now,” he said. “Each front office, they have an idea of how they think it’s going. Sometimes the record of the team doesn’t totally show the situation of the team. I’m sure they assess that amongst themselves and go from there.”

Teammate Adam Eaton also knows the problem the team’s recent play has created for the front office.

“It’s kind of unfortunate we’re playing our best baseball at the time of the trade deadline,” Eaton said. “We’re making Rick have a lot more white hair, I’m sure. I’m sure he knows what to do but ... we’re playing our best baseball and it’s toward the trade deadline.”

Samardzija is approaching the deadline on a roll, going 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA in four starts this month. A fifth figures to occur Tuesday at Fenway, unless Hahn makes a move.

White Sox offense comes through again for fifth straight win Dan Hayes, CSN | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — The White Sox might give general manager Rick Hahn a few more white hairs before the week is out.

Following an offensive explosion in Cleveland, the White Sox offense continued its midseason ascent from nowhere in a 10-8 victory over the Boston Red Sox in front of 37,401 at Fenway Park. Adam Eaton went 3-for-6 with two RBIs for the White Sox, who with their backs against the wall and Jeff Samardzija’s future probably hanging in the balance have won five straight games. Tyler Flowers went 2-for-5, driving in the go-ahead run, and the White Sox bullpen allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings.

“It’s great,” starting pitcher John Danks said. “We know where we stand. We know we have to keep this up. We can only win one game at a time. So, we are having fun. Hopefully this run is a thing, a sign of things to come.”

It was just five days ago the White Sox offense hardly registered a pulse after a 1-5 homestand.

Prior to the start of the trip, the White Sox offense was scoring 3.37 runs per game, one of the lowest averages in franchise history. A five-day outburst in which the White Sox have scored 36 runs has increased the average to 3.57 runs and also has given Hahn cause to hold off on a potential trade for Samardzija, which seemed all but certain before the weekend.

“We love how we’ve been playing,” Samardzija said before Monday’s game after he was given the green light for at least one more start with the White Sox.

The White Sox had to be ecstatic with how they answered again on Monday, rallying twice after Danks blew a four-run first-inning lead by the end of the second.

Trailing by a run in the sixth, Eaton tied the game at 7 with an RBI double off Robbie Ross Jr.

An inning later, Flowers followed a hustle-double by J.B. Shuck with a one-out, broken-bat RBI single to center and he advanced to second on the throw home. Eaton singled in Flowers with two outs to give the White Sox a 9-7 advantage. Two innings later, Flowers followed an intentional walk of Alexei Ramirez with an RBI double to put the White Sox ahead by three.

The White Sox tied their season high for hits with runners in scoring position — they went 8-for-20 — and finished with 15 hits.

“Today was the easy one to kind of look at, ‘Man, we already put runs up, now we’ve got to go back and get more runs to get the lead,’” Flowers said. “We did that, we responded well.”

The response in the first was immediate.

Tyler Saladino had the first hit with a runner in scoring position as he and Eaton had back-to-back triples off Joe Kelly to start the game. Melky Cabrera had the first of his two doubles to make it 2-0. Shuck’s squibber that Kelly mishandled led to a third run, and Ramirez made it 4-0 when he grounded into a double play.

The White Sox regained a 5-4 lead in the third on an RBI single by Jose Abreu, who reached base four times. Two innings later, Abreu doubled and scored the tying run on a passed ball.

The White Sox bullpen made the offense’s effort hold up.

Matt Albers pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. Zach Duke and Jake Petricka combined on two more with Petricka striking out three.

David Robertson allowed a run and stranded two to convert his 22nd save.

“It’s nice,” manager Robin Ventura said. “Even when a guy slips a little bit, you feel like you can come back right there. You do that, you’re able to add on late also.”

Danks was poor early and ran into bad luck in the middle innings.

It took the left-hander — who has a 6.29 road ERA versus 3.90 at home — only two innings to give back the four-run lead he was given before he set foot on the mound.

Trailing 5-4, Boston regained the lead off Danks in the fourth inning with a series of fortunate bounces. Danks gave up four straight singles — one of which would have gone for an inning-ending double had he not had to defend himself on a comebacker — to tie the game at 5. Saladino then committed an error allowing Boston to take a 6-5 lead and keep the bases loaded. But Danks struck out Xander Bogaerts and got Ortiz to fly out to limit the damage.

An inning later, Pablo Sandoval doubled with one out and later scored on Saladino’s two-out error to give the Red Sox a 7-5 lead.

Danks allowed seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

But his offense rallied back and has at least reportedly made Hahn agree to wait until after the team’s trip ends to make a decision on Samardzija.

“It’s been good to score 10, 11 the last two days or so,” Eaton said. “A lot of guys are starting to hit the ball hard and swinging the bats well and we’re catching some more breaks. Early on we didn’t catch any breaks, and now we’re starting to find holes and drive guys in with two outs. It’s been good the last couple weeks.”

With trade deadline approaching, White Sox enter Shark Week Dan Hayes, CSN | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — With his next start looming on Tuesday, the pursuit of Jeff Samardzija remains in full force.

Baseball sources said Monday that the Toronto Blue Jays continue to make the biggest push for Samardzija, who has a 2.55 ERA over his last eight starts and pitched at least seven innings in each of the last nine. The San Francisco Giants have also checked in on Samardzija, though they reportedly have cast a wide net in the search for a No. 2 starter behind Madison Bumgarner.

None of this continued interest makes life any easier for White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, who must determine what direction to take over the next five days.

Samardzija “loves” how the White Sox have played and understands how parity in the American League could play a role in slowing down a decision.

“Sometimes the record doesn’t totally show the situation of the team, so I’m sure they assess that amongst themselves and go from there,” Samardzija said. “All we can do is show up and play every day. We love how we’ve been playing. ... We need to come in and handle our business, and when the deadline comes down the road, you see where you’re at.”

The White Sox are fresh off their best series of the season, sweeping a four-game series as they finally combined all three facets at once — albeit against a lousy Cleveland Indians team. An offense dormant for most of the season broke out with 24 runs in the first three games of the series as the White Sox earned their first four-game sweep since July 2010. Even though the team is 46-50, they’re only five back from the second wild-card spot, the closest they’ve been in some time.

Still, this is a team that has sent its fans, coaches and the front office on a roller-coaster ride all season. While they very well could win three of their next four games and leave Fenway Park with a 49-51 record, they just as easily could lose three of four as they have proven to be inconsistent all season.

“We are playing our best baseball at the time of the trade deadline, we’re making Rick have a lot more white hair, I’m sure,” leadoff man Adam Eaton said.

After Saturday’s 10-3 victory, White Sox manager Robin Ventura conceded his team could get back into contention if it played exactly as it had all weekend. But even with the recent offensive revivals of Melky Cabrera, Alexei Ramirez and even Carlos Sanchez, that’s a big if for a team averaging 3.5 runs per game through its first 96 contests.

The White Sox are said to still be contemplating what route to take, but they’ve also been clear all along they don’t intend to sell off future assets for this season.

As if the picture isn’t already difficult enough, Cincinnati landed Brandon Finnegan and two other minor leaguers from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Johnny Cueto on Sunday. Some observers believe the Reds did very well in the deal, though that opinion relies heavily on Finnegan remaining a starting pitcher and not everyone is convinced he will. While Cueto is seen as a having a higher value than Samardzija, the White Sox might still be able to get back a strong return. Over the weekend, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweeted that the White Sox expect to receive a “significant” haul if they deal Samardzija.

Were they to not trade Samardzija and make a run at the postseason, the White Sox would almost certainly make a qualifying offer this offseason toward the future free agent, which would net them a compensatory draft pick if he went to another team.

Whether they keep him or not, it is believed the White Sox would have strong interest in re-signing Samardzija in free agency.

White Sox give Adam LaRoche breather to work on approach Dan Hayes, CSN | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — Adam LaRoche will have two days off to find what has ailed his swing.

The White Sox designated hitter wasn’t in the lineup on Monday nor is he expected to be on Tuesday as the club gives him time to figure out his approach.

Admittedly frustrated and baffled, LaRoche is 6-for-49 with one RBI and 20 strikeouts over his last 14 games. Manager Robin Ventura thinks LaRoche’s .265 OPS in that span is likely a combination of not seeing the ball well and poor mechanics, which has the veteran in one of the longer funks of his career.

“Then your mind can become involved,” Ventura said. “You can send yourself down a road that you don’t believe you are going to do some damage. I think for him, it’s getting that feeling back. He went through a little bit of it in Toronto, where he got a good feel going for a little while.

“Probably give him two (days) just to work out some things. I know you can get frustrated. I know he’s frustrated.”

LaRoche hasn’t homered since June 24, a span of 91 plate appearances. He has struck out 31 times in the stretch and is whiffing in 30.3 percent of his plate appearances in 2015, a career-high rate. Last season, LaRoche struck out a career-low 18.4 percent.

Ventura has had many conversations with LaRoche and knows what the veteran has endured in the first season of a two-year, $25-million deal with the White Sox. Ventura is glad LaRoche has the experience to know he’ll find it once again. He also believes the two days should help.

“Rochey can kind of work it out in the cage and have a couple of days knowing he can go in there and work on some stuff,” Ventura said. “He’s trying to figure it out, so he’s working through it. You continue to do that. He’ll be back in there to play. But for two days, he’s going to ease the mind and not be in there.

“He’s been through some stuff, and he’ll fight through it. You have to get to that point where you’ll fight through it. He’s going to do that.”

Adam Eaton fine, but White Sox keep him out of the field Dan Hayes, CSN | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — Adam Eaton is healthy enough to play, but the White Sox will give him a chance to rest his arm while keeping him in the lineup.

Eaton made the first start of his career as the team’s designated hitter on Monday and could be in line for another on Tuesday.

The leadoff man missed Sunday’s game after he jammed his shoulder with a diving attempt in the outfield of Saturday’s victory over the Cleveland Indians. Though he initially feared the worst, Eaton felt pretty good as the White Sox opened their second straight four-game series, this one against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

“Wasn’t feeling all that great (Sunday), but with the day off and some treatment last night everything’s going well,” Eaton said. “ They’re going to keep from throwing for one more day, but (I'm) able to swing and looking forward to getting back out there. Yesterday it was kind of tough to get my hand above my head, but today full range of motion and feeling good. I’m thankful it was just a jam. Was pretty scared it might be something more than that, but all the tests proved that it was just irritation and he pushed that right out and it feels good today.”

Eaton said he didn’t require an MRI but didn’t sleep well on Saturday night. Still, both he and manager Robin Ventura have been confident Eaton was fine since Sunday. J.B. Shuck started in center field in Eaton’s place on Monday.

“This is just to be able to take care of him and not send him back out there,” Ventura said. “For right now, you are just, you know you have a day or two here where you can DH him and hopefully he can feel comfortable doing that.”

White Sox have Jeff Samardzija penciled in for Tuesday Dan Hayes, CSN | July 27, 2015

BOSTON — In their latest discussion, Rick Hahn gave Robin Ventura the green light to start Jeff Samardzija on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

The White Sox starting pitcher continues to be one of the more talked about commodities on the trade market. But even though teams have steady interest, the White Sox plan to start the right-hander in the second of a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox.

“I have him penciled in tomorrow,” Ventura said. “As of right now he’s pitching for me tomorrow. I don’t assume to make an adjustment. I would like him to pitch for me.

“We talk, I get more of an update of what’s going on, but I don’t sit there and talk about trade talks. For me, I’m scheduled to pitch (Samardzija) tomorrow and (Hahn) gave me the ‘Yeah, he’s going to pitch tomorrow.’”

The White Sox could use the threat of a potential start as leverage in getting an interested team to meet their price. But they’re also said to still be considering their own path and whether or not they should hang on to Samardzija as they begin Monday only five games behind the Minnesota Twins, the second-wild card team. Samardzija, who is set to make his first-ever start at Fenway, has a good idea where he stands but prefers Hahn updates his agent.

“I’m going to let them handle it,” Samardzija said. “I’m just trying to stay in my lane and just do what I do with pitching and let everyone else handle that. Rick’s a professional, Rick’s one of the best I’ve worked with, and I have full confidence in him respectfully keeping me informed or not informed, depending on what he knows and doesn’t know.”

White Sox-Red Sox Preview Associated Press, Fox Sports.com | July 27, 2015

The acquisition of Jeff Samardzija was one of the many moves the Chicago White Sox made in the offseason that had them believing they could make a run at the playoffs.

That hasn't been the case for the majority of the season and with Samardzija set to become a free agent this fall, he's the most likely candidate to be traded before Friday's deadline.

Samardzija takes the mound for what could be his last start with the White Sox on Tuesday night against the last-place Boston Red Sox, but Chicago's recent surge could make the decision on whether to deal him a little tougher.

The White Sox have been at or near the bottom of the AL Central all year behind the fewest runs in the majors, which could lead to them being sellers at the deadline.

Chicago, however, won 10-8 in the opener of this four-game series Monday after scoring 26 times while sweeping a four-game set in Cleveland. The White Sox (47-50), who have won nine of 10 on the road, are within 4 1/2 games of Minnesota for the second wild card.

"It's just the parity of the game right now. Within each front office of every team, they have an idea of how they feel it's going," Samardzija told MLB's official website. "Sometimes the record doesn't totally show the situation of the team, so I'm sure they assess that amongst themselves and go from there."

Contending teams would certainly be interested in Samardzija, who has turned things around after having a 4.93 ERA in early June. The right-hander has since gone 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA in eight starts, allowing one run and four hits in eight innings of an 8-1 win over Cleveland on Thursday.

Samardzija (7-5, 3.91 ERA) hasn't pitched against the Red Sox since 2012, though their top two offseason signings - Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval - faced him when he was with the Cubs and they were in the NL.

Ramirez is 8 for 19 with two doubles and Sandoval has gone 3 for 7 with a homer in the matchup.

The Red Sox added Ramirez and Sandoval after they finished last in the AL East in 2014, but it hasn't helped as that's again their place in the standings.

Boston (44-56) began to sell off parts Monday, sending outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels for infielder Josh Rutledge. Rusney Castillo was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket and went 1 for 2 with two runs while starting in right field.

"We'd like to see him get a good chunk of playing time at the major league level and get comfortable with being here every day," general manager Ben Cherington said.

The Red Sox also brought in Wade Miley (8-8, 4.33) during the offseason, and like Samardzija he's been much better of late. The left-hander had a 5.07 ERA in his first 12 starts before recording a 3.33 mark in his last eight.

Miley gave up one run over six innings but continued to struggle with his command as he walked five in a 5-4 walk-off loss to Houston on Thursday. He's among the major league leaders with 44 bases on balls.

Miley didn't walk a batter and allowed two runs over seven innings to beat the White Sox 4-3 in his only matchup May 10, 2014, while with Arizona.