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Headlines of August 2 , 2015 “ Vintage Danks defuses Yankees ” … Scott Merkin , MLB.com “ White Sox get back on track against Yankees ” … Bryan Hoch and Greg Garno, MLB.com “ Avi sails! Garcia robs another h omer ” … Scott Merkin, MLB. com “ Samardzija remains focused post - Deadline ” … Scott Merkin , MLB. com “ Resurgent White Sox send Shark vs. Yankees ” … G reg Garno, MLB.com “ Big bro's t weet says Thompson will join White Sox ” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “ Jeff Samardzija happy to keep his home with the White Sox ” … Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribu ne “ Saturday's recap: White Sox 8, Yankees 2 ” … Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune “ White Sox's Robin Ventura and Adam LaRoche share a pitching line ” … Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune “ Say what you will about Robin Ventura, but he's nothing if not steady ” … David Haugh , Chicago Tribune “ John Danks heating up, touches 93 in White Sox' win over Yankees ” … Seth Gruen, Chicago Sun - Times “ Jeff Samardzija thinks White Sox have the goods to make playoffs ” … Seth Gruen, Chicago Sun - Times “ After win, John Danks is in a confetti mood ” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “ Cabrera, Ramirez homer as White Sox beat Yankees 8 - 2 ” … The Associated Press , ESPN.com “ Rapid Reaction: White Sox 8, Yankees 2 ” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “ Jeff Samardzija has no complaints over staying ” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “ Oh brother: Looks like Trayce Thompson is on the way ” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “ Dayan Viciedo returns t o White Sox on minor league deal ” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “ White Sox see offense, defense coming to gether for playoff push ” … J.J. Stankevitz, CSN Chicago “ Still in Chicago, Jeff Samardzija sees White Sox as contenders ” … J.J. Stankevitz, CSN Chicago “ White Sox place J.B. Shuck on DL, recall Scott Carroll for now ” … J.J. Stankevitz, CSN Chicago “ White Sox sign Dayan Viciedo, assign him to Triple - A Charlotte ” … CSN Chicago “ Former White Sox Organist’s Offbeat Approach Resonated for Decades ” … Rob Harms, T h e New York Times “ Enter Sound Man: An Insider’s Look at Baseball’s Walk - Up M usic ” … Rob Harms, The New York Times Vintage Danks defuses Yankees Scott Merkin / MLB.com | August 2, 2015 Th ere has been something different about John Danks since the All - Star break. Something bigger than his 2.78 ERA over four second - half starts. At almost three years to the date of his arthroscopic shoulder surgery, Danks' stuff is starting to improve. That fact became evident during an 8 - 2 victory over the Yankees Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field, where Danks matched a season high with eight strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, holding New York to one run on three hits. "Yeah, early on he had a little extra to it," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Danks, who helped the team end a two - game losing streak. "It was firm and he had a good changeu p." "I didn't have a date or anything in mind, but certainly pleasantly surprised," said Danks of his stuff improving. "The first time I looked up and saw 93, I wanted to throw confetti out there. It's definitely gotten better." Danks topped out at 94 mph against the Yankees and averaged 92 with his fastball, per Brooks Baseball. Since that surgical procedure on Aug. 6, 2012, to repair a capsular tear of the rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder, there's been a great deal of talk about Danks pitching with a new style. Almost Mark Buehrle - like, if you will. While Danks never will be confused with Randy Johnson or Chris Sale, he's excited to see the recent uptick and thinks greater improvement and development can be in store. "I'm still feeling good bet ween starts: I'm able to get on the mound," Danks said. "It's just part of the process. Wish it hadn't taken this long and hopefully it'll continue, but I feel good about things right now. "Tonight's the best stuff I've had in two years. I would say since the break, my stuff's gradually gotten better. It's nice to see it coming back a little bit. I don't know if that had anything to do with my command or if I was just off. But it's nice to be able to reach back and throw a respectable fastball." There was s ome help from the White Sox defense Saturday, with Avisail Garcia going over the right - field fence in the third to take away a three - run homer for Didi Gregorius. The game might have been different if the Yankees had taken a 3 - 2 lead there instead of cutti ng the deficit to 2 - 1. From that point, Danks battled against a team that knows how to work the count. He continues to provide greater hope that the veteran has the stuff to solidify the back end of this stellar rotation. "Stuff's gotten better, certainly, " Danks said. "Throwing strikes, not hurting myself. I got away with some walks today but defense is making plays and for the most part making them put the ball in play. It's worked out so far." White Sox get back on track against Yankees Bryan Hoch and Greg Garno / MLB.com | August 2, 2015 Melky Cabrera and Alexei Ramirez both homered and Joh n Danks tied a season high with eight strikeouts as the White Sox defeated the Yankees, 8 - 2, on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field, snapping a six - game losing streak vs. New York and tying the three - game weekend series. The White Sox, who got an RBI do uble from Jose Abreu in the first inning and a solo shot from Ramirez in the second, grabbed a 6 - 1 lead on Cabrera's three - run homer in the four - run fifth. It was the eighth time in the last 10 games that Chicago has scored at least six runs. "It's been a nice change that we're scoring some runs," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "We're doing it early and we're doing it late. I think they feel real good about the way they're going now offensively, and you just want to keep that feeling going." Danks, m eanwhile, allowed one run on three hits across 5 2/3 innings for his third win in his last six starts. The White Sox bullpen allowed just two hits and one run to secure the win, which put Chicago in a tie or the second - best record in the American League si nce the All - Star break. Making his first start of the season, Bryan Mitchell took the loss after allowing four runs in four - plus innings. Following a 13 - run performance on Friday, the Yankees didn't provide Mitchell with much help on Saturday, stranding se ven runners on base. "I think the first couple of innings, it was tough to see, and then it seemed like we started to make some adjustments to [Danks]," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We got far behind. He pitched a good game. He's been pitching well f or them. He moves his changeup around to lefties and righties. I thought he did a good job of it." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Start them up: Adam Eaton continued to prove his value in the White Sox leadoff spot on Saturday. Eaton finished 2 - for - 4 with two runs scored, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. He's hit safely in 21 of his last 23 games with 22 runs scored in that span. "Runs come in bunches; it's contagious," Eaton said. "So if we continue to be contagious to hit and score seven or nine runs, it's going to be a good two months." Avi amazes again: White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia added another catch to his highlight reel by robbing Didi Gregorius of a home run in the third inning. With runners on first and third, Garcia tracked back to the wall, where he turned around in time for the leaping grab. A run still scored on the play, but Garcia's catch allowed Danks to work out of the jam. "The wind helped a little holding it up," Garcia said. "I was trying to follow the ball and get on time to the fence so I could jump a little bit." Rookies struggle: Filling in for the injured Michael Pineda, Mitchell struck out five but was chased by Tyler Saladino's run - scoring singl e before an out was recorded in the fifth inning, having thrown 78 pitches. Moreno, who impressed with 5 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings of relief on Tuesday in Arlington, was unable to follow up on that sharp outing, as Cabrera's homer marred his line - - four runs allowed in three innings. "I fell behind a lot. It's tough to pitch like that," Mitchell said. "You're going to run into trouble more times than not. I have to do better the next time and get ahead." QUOTABLE "It's just one of those nights. He did a good job of mixing pitches, throwing pitches in good locations. He was tough to hit. The third tim e around, you kind of knew what he was going to do, but you tip your cap." -- Jacoby Ellsbury, on Danks' performance "Tonight's the best stuff I've had in two years. I would say since the break my stuff's gradually gotten better. It's nice to see it coming back a little bit. I don't know if that had anything to do with my command or if I was just off. But it's nice to be able to reach back and throw a respectable fastball." -- Danks, who had shoulder surgery nearly three years ago to the day SOUND SMART WI TH YOUR FRIENDS Abreu extended his hitting streak to 12 games with his RBI double in the first inning. He's now batting .332 with 41 career RBIs in the first inning this season, the best on the White Sox. WHAT'S NEXT Yankees: After being limited to 75 pitches in his last outing by what the Yankees termed "arm fatigue," right - hander Ivan Nova is r eady to take his turn in the rotation against the White Sox on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET. He'll seek his third consecutive victory as he makes his seventh start since returning from Tommy John surgery. White Sox: Having allowed only 10 runs in July, Jeff Sama rdzija looks to stay strong in Sunday's series finale. The right - hander has a 2.86 ERA at home this season, compared to his 4.81 ERA on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT. Avi sails! Garcia robs another homer Scott Merkin / MLB.com | August 1st, 2015 The .264 average, seven homers and 33 RBIs through 348 at - bats don't exactly represent Avisail Garcia's ideal offensive output during his fi rst full season in the Majors. And while his defense hasn't been letter perfect, he has helped the White Sox with some big plays in right field. One of those came during Saturday night's 8 - 2 victory over the Yankees, a score that might not have been so one - sided without Garcia. With two on and nobody out in the third, Didi Gregorius lofted a fly ball to right off John Danks that looked as if it would carry over the fence for a home run that would have erased a 2 - 0 White Sox lead. Garcia moved to the wall, le aped and turned Gregorius' long drive into a sacrifice fly. He made the same sort of play against Baltimore's Chris Davis on July 4, only in the ninth inning of a one - run game. So it was easy for Garcia to pick which play was more difficult. "That other one," said Garcia, referring to the Davis play. "This one was goin g, too. But I was there on time like the other one. The other one was really going out. You have to run and see where's your position to the fence so you can jump a little bit." Garcia's catch on Saturday set the tone for an outstanding night with the leat her by the White Sox. Carlos Sanchez made a couple of good plays at second base, including a run - saver in the sixth on Brian McCann's hard - hit, two - out grounder destined for right field with runners on first and third. He teamed with Alexei Ramirez in the eighth to turn a highlight - reel double play on Chris Young. Prior to the game , Jeff Samardzija pointed out how the defense was a bit underrated during Chicago's run of eight wins in 10 games. Then, that defense went out and backed up Samardzija's point against the American League East leaders. "We've had our issues early on in the year defensively," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Part of that is we know we're going to be able to pitch and our guys go out there and they're trusting the defense. "You can't be afraid to throw strikes and be able to let the defense work. Especia lly our infield right now. We feel pretty good about it in being able to turn hard - hit balls into outs and some of them into double plays." Samardzija remains focused post - Deadline Scott Merkin / MLB.com | August 1st, 2015 Pitching stood as the sole focus for Jeff Samardzija before Friday's non - waiver Trade Deadline, even with the free - agent - to - be being mentioned in a number of rumors. And with the Deadline passing with out the White Sox making any moves and without Samardzija and his wife having to pack up and move for the third in a year, the focus won't change for the right - hander. "That's what I said before," Samardzija said. "You go out and do your job every fifth da y, and those things you can't control you don't worry about it. So nothing changes for me." "I've gotten to know Jeff real well and he's a guy that's going to help us win, get to where we need to be, especially with the way he's throwing now," said White S ox pitcher John Danks, prior to his start against the Yankees on Saturday night. "I would have hated to see him go, but he didn't." One school of thought was that the White Sox needed to keep Samardzija after the team's 7 - 1 road trip put them back into the American League Wild Card picture. Erik Johnson has been great for Triple - A Charlotte during a bounce - back season, but he's not Samardzija's caliber at this point. On the flip side, with Samardzija approaching free agency, the push was to trade him now an d get a good prospect haul before going back after him in the offseason. Samardzija was asked Saturday about the White Sox making him a multi - year offer in - season, and he pointed to that as a front - office call. If they want him around, they'll come talk to him. Samardzija has been very consistent about working to earn free agency and the desire to test it, adding Saturday that there's no down time before the process begins for professional athletes. "They say there's an offseason, but there's really not any more. You gotta continue working out and staying on top of things," Samardzija said. "When the season's over you'll adjust those things. "Right now, you don't want to take anything for granted. What we do is not guaranteed tomorrow so you need to come out and work on what you need to work on, control what you can control and then worry about next year next year." Samardzija couldn't have been faulted for wanting to go to a clear - cut playoff team, showing his stuff in prime time in this important contract ye ar. But he likes where he's playing on the South Side and believes the White Sox have the ability to become that team. "We need to keep playing the way we've been playing. Keep pitching the ball well and keep hitting," Samardzija said. "Obviously those ear ly runs are great and gets the pitchers calmed down and really get into a groove. "We've been playing great baseball, we've been playing great defense too which is I don't think is getting talked about. We're catching everything. We're throwing everything, which makes the game go a lot easier. We need to keep it up, and there's still places we could improve and we have two months to do it." Resurgent White Sox send Shark vs. Yankees Greg Garno / MLB.com | August 2, 2015 No longer the topic of trade speculation, White Sox right - hander Jeff Samardzija will get a chance to pitch without the distractions on Sund ay in the rubber match of a three - game series against the Yankees, as Chicago finds itself in the mix for the second American League Wild Card spot. "I think we've always thought of ourselves as contenders," Samardzija said. "I love this team and think we have a great group of guys and we just need to keep playing like we've been playing." The White Sox should be thankful he's still on board, as Samardzija went 3 - 1 with a 2.27 ERA over 39 2/3 innings in July. Yankees starter Ivan Nova continues to work his way back from Tommy John Surgery. The right - hander has not pitched more than 6 2/3 innings in any outing this season and he left his last start in the fifth inning with arm fatigue. Things to know about this game: • Yankees veterans Carlos Beltran and Cha se Headley are a combined 9 - for - 25 against Samardzija with three doubles, one home run and two RBIs. Beltran sat out Saturday's 8 - 2 Chicago win with a sore foot but expects to return Sunday. • Samardzija has been far better at home than away this season. H e is 4 - 2 with a 2.86 ERA at U.S. Cellular Field, where his opponents are batting .239 this season. • The Yankees have lost just two games (44 - 2) when leading after six innings and have yet to give up a lead after the eighth. • Brian McCann did not start for the second consecutive game on Saturday, but Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that it was not related to an injury issue and McCann is expected to catch on Sunday. Big bro's tweet says Thompson will join White Sox Scott Merkin / MLB.com | August 1st, 2015 White Sox outfielder J.B. Shuck was placed on the disabled list prior to Saturdays' game with the Yankees due to a strained left hamstring suffered late in Friday's loss. Right - handed pitcher Scot t Carroll was called up from Triple - A Charlotte to take Shuck's roster spot. The White Sox temporarily needed a 13th arm with the bullpen being extended due to short starts from Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon over the past two nights. But based on a tweet fr om Klay Thompson on Saturday, a tweet that since has been deleted, the White Sox might be adding a position player soon. Klay is more than just an All - Star and key member of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. He also is the older brother of Trayce Tho mpson, the White Sox No. 15 prospect, the proud tweet that follows. "Some of the greatest news I've heard my little bro is in the majors. Words can't describe how proud I am can't wait to get to Chicago!" Klay said in his tweet. It's hard to argue brotherl y love, especially for a hard - working, quality kid such as Trayce. He was drafted by the White Sox in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft and is hitting .260 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs for Charlotte this season. No official announcement on Thompson, 24, was made by the White Sox, so it's not certain when or if the slick - fielding outfielder would replace an extra pitcher. One move with more certainty is the return of Dayan Viciedo to the White Sox organization. Viciedo, 26, hit 66 homers over five seasons with the White Sox before he was designated for assignment on Jan. 28, when the team brought back Gordon Beckham. Viciedo, who has been in the Blue Jays and A's system this year, will focus primarily on first base and only return to the outfield in an eme rgency. He was released by Oakland last month. "We know him. We are very familiar with him and know what he can bring to the table," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Viciedo, who had a .254 average and .298 on - base percentage with the White Sox. "We don't know exactly right now what that window is. "I know he's with us but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be here tomorrow. We are familiar with him and comfortable in knowing what he can do if he gets it going." Ventura added that the White Sox will m iss Shuck's bat off the bench during his injury absence and his ability to come up with a big hit late to start a rally. White Sox pitching legend Pierce dies at 88 Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 31st, 2015 It took White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams basically one word to describe Billy Pierce, who passed away Friday morning at the age of 88 after a battle with gall bladder cancer. "They're class," said Williams, actually referring to Pierce, Ernie Banks and Minnie Minoso, all iconic Chicago baseball figures who have passed away in the past year. "It's been a tough year for Chicago with regards to some of the legends of Chicago sports leaving us." "Another tough day. Another big loss for the White Sox family," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn. "Not just for his place in many White Sox fans memory as an outstanding and iconic ballplayer, but for the type of person he was and the class and the way he carried himself and the way he treated people. He's definitely going t o be missed around the ballpark." Pierce played 18 Major League seasons with D etroit (1945 - 48), the White Sox (1949 - 61) and San Francisco (1962 - 64), going 211 - 169 with a 3.27 ERA, 1,999 strikeouts, 32 saves, 193 complete games, 38 shutouts and a .240 opponents average over 585 games (432 starts). He ranked in the top five in the Maj ors in complete games (4th), innings pitched (4th), strikeouts (4th), wins (5th), starts (5th) and shutouts (5th) from 1945 - 64. The White Sox ambassador had his No. 19 retired by the White Sox in 1987, and a statue of the left - hander in mid - windup was unve iled at U.S. Cellular Field in 2005. He also served as a committee member of Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities for 46 years, acting as president of the group for 20 years. Since its inception, Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities has raised over $16 million t o help in the fight against cancer. "Generations of White Sox fans lost one of their heroes today," said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a team release announcing Pierce's passing. "It was an absolute privilege to consider Billy a friend. He epitomiz ed class, not just as a ballplayer on those great Go - Go White Sox teams of the 1950s, but as a gentleman and as a human being who devoted so much of his life to helping others." "Just a class person. Known him a long time," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Just a sweetheart of a guy. A special guy. You're going to miss him. When he comes around here he was great to talk to. Just a classy person all the way around." Pierce is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria, son Bill Jr., daughter Patty and son Bob, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Pierce's name to the Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities. Details on services are pending. The Detroit native is one of 13 pitchers to start three or more All - Star Games (1953. '55 - 56), with that list including Hall - of - Famers Jim Bunning, Don Drysdale, Whitey Ford, Lefty Gomez, Greg Maddux, Jim Palmer, Robin Roberts and Warren Spahn. Pierce finished third in the 1962 MLB Cy Young Award balloting and fifth in the 1956 American League MVP voting. He ranks among the White Sox all - time leaders in strikeouts (1st, 1,796), shutouts (3rd, 35), starts (3rd, .390), wins (4th, 195), innings pitched (4th, 2,931.0), opponents average (5th, .240), complete games (T5th, 183) and ERA (10th, 3.19). Pierce threw four one - hitters and seven two - hitters in his career, while coming within one out of a no - hitter on June 27, 1958, against the Washington Senators when a double fell just inside the foul line. Pierce finished 16 - 6 for the Giants in '62, including a remarka ble 12 - 0 in 12 starts at Candlestick Park. "He had a sneaky fastball and a great slider," said right - hander Bob Bolin, Pierce's roommate during his San Francisco tenure. "He could pump up and throw them by the big hitters." Pierce excelled when it counted most that year. He pitched a three - hit shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a best - of - three playoff series, then saved the Game 3 clincher for the Giants with a perfect ninth inning of relief. He won another three - hitter in Game 6 of th e World Series against the Yankees, forcing the dramatic seventh game that New York captured, 1 - 0. As great as the seven - time All - Star was as a player, and some believe he was a Hall of Fame - caliber pitcher, there's little doubt the southpaw will be rememb ered as a Hall of Fame - caliber person. "There's no question being elected to the Hall of Fame would be one of the greatest things that ever happened to me," said Pierce last year upon being nominated before the Golden Era Committee. "But I've experienced a lot of good things in my life. I've got a wonderful wife, great kids and grandkids, and I've been honored by the White Sox and their fans. What more do you want?" "That's the life's cycle, and I've always preferred to celebrate versus mourn," Williams sai d. "He's a White Sox. He's up there, and he'll be pushing for us from above. He was a very good man, very nice man." Jeff Samardzija happy to keep his home with the White Sox Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune August 1, 2015 Th e idea of moving doesn't exactly move Jeff Samardzija. For him, home is where the start is. And it's at least where he will fini sh this season as a White Sox starter after the White Sox declined to deal the right - hander after weeks of rumors approaching Friday's trade deadline. Samardzija grew up in nearby Valparaiso, Ind., played football and baseball at Notre Dame and was drafte d by the Cubs, for whom he pitched for parts of seven seasons. "It's all I really know," Samardzija said a few weeks ago, as rumors began to swirl. White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) and center fielder Adam Eaton celebrate a victory over the New York Yankees. Save for a brief stint playing for the A's last year after the Cubs dealt him, Samardzija hasn't strayed far from his roots. And he remained steadfast that he hasn't let his mind stray during the last few weeks. "It's nice to not have to get all that help from my wife moving, picking up and moving a house here and there. All the things that go with it," Samardzija said. He added that staying was preferable because the Sox have thought of themselves as contenders all season. "We just need to do what we're capable of doing, and that will tak e care of most of it," he said. "I love this team. We just need to keep playing like we've been playing." The team's recent seven - game winning streak helped Samardzija stay put. The Sox were 31/2 games out of a wild - card spot before Saturday's 8 - 2 victory over the Yankees, though five teams were ahead of them, and they trailed the Royals by 111/2 games in the American League Central. Sox manager Robin Ventura said he never had the impression Samardzija wanted out. "If he doesn't like his team there could be disappointment (about not being traded), but I haven't sensed any disappointment from him," Ventura said. "He likes being here." And lately, he has proven that. Going i nto his scheduled start Sunday against the Yankees, Samardzija is 8 - 5 with a 3.94 ERA in 1481/3 innings with 111 strikeouts and 27 walks. He is 4 - 1 with a 2.67 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP in his last seven starts. His success, he said, is largely a result of the White Sox's recent uptick in offense, especially early in games. The Sox have outscored opponents 19 - 4 in the first inning of their last seven outings. "Those early runs are great and gets the pitchers calm ed down," Samardzija said. "We've been playing great baseball. We've been playing great defense, too, which I don't think is getting talked about. We need to keep it up. There are still places we could improve, and we have two months to do it." Samardzija will be a free agent at season's end, so the Sox essentially gave up getting anything but a compensatory pick when they decided not to trade him. For now, he said, next year will have to wait till after this year. "When the season's over you'll adjust th ose things," Samardzija said. "What we do is not guaranteed tomorrow, so you need to come out and work on what you need to work on, control what you can control and then worry about next year next year. "You don't worry about it. So nothing changes for me ." Saturday's recap: White Sox 8, Yankees 2 Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune August 1, 2015 Th e White Sox halted their two - game losing streak, which came on the heels of seven straight victories, with an 8 - 2 victory over the Yankees on Saturday nig ht at U.S. Cellular Field. Hitting highlights Jose Abreu pushed his hitting streak to 12 with a first - inning RBI double that hugged the third - base line and scored Adam Eaton, who extended his hitting streak to 10 with a leadoff single to right field. Alexei Ramirez had a solo home run in the second and an RBI double i n the seventh. Melky Cabrera's three - run home run topped a four - run Sox fifth. White Sox's Adam Eaton on team defense White Sox's Adam Eaton discusses the team's defense. In command John Danks tied a season high with eight strikeouts, including four of the first six batters he faced, as he gave up one run on three hits and four walks in 52/3 innings. Key number 1 — Season series the Sox have won against the Yankees since 2004 — 5 - 2 i n 2012. The quote "He's comfortable anywhere. All the way around the infield. I know he has played in the outfield. We get into an emergency, he would probably be the guy who can catch." — Ventura on rookie Tyler Saladino Up next Vs. Yankees, 1:10 p.m. Sunday, WGN - 9, TBS. White Sox's Robin Ventura and Adam LaRoche share a pitching line Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune August 1, 2015 Ro bin Ventura and Adam LaRoche are tied for the lowest ERA in baseball history. LaRoche's 1 - 2 - 3, pitcher - perfect ninth inning Friday night, which included a strikeout of the Yankees' Brendan Ryan during the 13 - 6 loss, jogged Ventura's memory to 2004, his final season, whe n he was with the Dodgers. During a 13 - 0 loss to the Angels on June 25, Ventura retired three hitters on flyouts and gave up a single to Darin Erstad in the ninth inning. "I was done (playing after that year)," Ventura said. "It didn't matter if I got hurt." Ventura joked that current Cubs backup David Ross was his personal catcher that day, so he has something in common with Cubs pitcher Jon Lester. LaRoche became the sixth player since 1914 to have four hits and pitch in relief in a major - league game. But the designated hitter/first baseman's mound debut was less for giggles than out of necessity. Sox pitchers had thrown 207 pitches, 116 from relievers. "You do it in situations where you really need to save someb ody," Ventura said. "There's the potential that you could use another guy or take a guy like Daniel (Webb) and burn him out for three or four days. It's always tough to ask a position player to do that." Ventura joked Saturday that LaRoche, who said earli er he needed a least a day of rest, could be called on again. "LaRoche can go back - to - back if he needed to," Ventura said. "He doesn't need a day. I'll let him know when he needs a day." Keep it on the DL: A strained left hamstring has landed Sox outfielder J.B. Shuck on the 15 - day disabled list. Shuck is batting .2 78 with 11 RBIs in 54 games this season. "It is tough. We get in a tight spot at the end of the game and you need a lefty to come off the bench," Ventura said. "He has been great at doing that. He had some momentum going, where he felt confident coming i n there with a tough at - bat and being able to either start something or knock something in." The team recalled right - handed pitcher Scott Carroll from Triple - A Charlotte. Carroll is 1 - 1 with a 3.28 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the Sox. If Warriors s tar Klay Thompson is to be believed, the Sox soon will call up his brother, outfielder Trayce Thompson, from Triple - A Charlotte. "Some of the greatest news I've ever heard my little bro is in the majors," a tweet, which has been deleted, read Saturday fro m @KlayThompson's account. "Can't wait to get to Chicago." Extra innings: The Sox signed free agent Dayan Vicideo, who batted .254 with 66 home runs and 211 RBIs in parts of five seasons with the team, and assigned him to Charlotte. … Spotted at U.S. Cell ular Field: Spike Lee, Joe Torre and Scott Podsednik, whom the Sox honored with a bobblehead commemorating his Game 2 walk - off home run in the 2005 World Series. "I think it looks like me," Podsednik said. Say what you will about Robin Ventura, but he's not hing if not steady David Haugh, Chicago Tribune August 1, 2015 Country Music Night Friday at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox played like they lost their job, their girl, their dog and would need to drive a truck for a beer to forget their 13 - 6 loss to the Yankees. Manager Robin Ventura's reaction after 3 hours 56 minutes of misery? "We just got beat,'' Ventura said as matter - of - factly as ever. A few hours earlier , before the game, someone in the Sox dugout wondered if Ventura stopped shaving when his team started winning on its recent trip. With a familiar smirk, Ventura shook his head as he proudly stroked the salt - and - pepper stubble he doubted would survive the weekend because of the arrival of his wife, Stephanie. "Impressive, isn't it?" Ventura deadpanned. Sure, but n ot as much as the growth Ventura's Sox showed in July, especially the last week. Ventura drew criticism when the Sox spent the first half as the American League's most disappointing team, so in fairness, he deserves credit now that his steadiness has helpe d steer the season back toward relevance. Not that Ventura acknowledged the heat intensified any more than usual this summer as calls for his job grew louder than ever and the legend of Ozzie Guillen lurked, in barrooms and on back pages. "Have I taken more hits this year? Maybe, I don't know," Ventura told the Tribune. "They all seem the same to me. L ike anytime you bring in a pitcher and it doesn't work out, there could be 40,000 different opinions what you could have or should have done." Ventura paused, grinning. "But in the end I'm the one who knows who's ready to go, who we should stay away from , why he should come in and other guys shouldn't," said Ventura, who enjoys strong front - office support. "And I don't always want to give that away. You just have to bury it, and if someone has a difference of opinion, that's fine. But it's not always as e asy as everybody who wants an answer thinks." The question that always comes up about Ventura involves his demeanor, which hasn't changed since he first put on a No. 23 Sox jersey 26 years ago. When the Sox win, he gets complimented for showing poise. When they lose, critics rip him for lacking passion. It's not easy managing in the same city as charismatic Cubs manager Joe Maddon, but Ventura stoppe d worrying about interpretations of his personality long ago. "For other people it might look boring that I come in and try to stabilize things … but in the end you realize all you can do is focus on them, give them what they need to be able to play, and if you have to take the hits, you take the hits," Ventura said. "Jumping up and down or throwing my hat when someone makes an error probably makes someone else feel better, but it's not going to help these guys get any better because I do that." Center fielder Adam Eaton played for Kirk Gibson with the Diamondbacks. Gibson, the former Tigers star who played wide receiver at M ichigan State, approached each day of a 162 - game season with a football mentality. "Polar opposites," Eaton said. "Gibby was Ohio State - Michigan every night. Robin is more like, 'Hey, the long season is a marathon not a sprint.' "The beauty of Robin is when he says something to us, we listen. When there's a lot of chatter constantly from a manager, it becomes noise after a while. If Robin comes in after a loss and says, 'Boys, don't worry about it, let's keep going,' we echo it th rough the clubhouse." And when Ventura does openly confront a player for a mental lapse, as he did with Eaton earlier this season, it resonates. "When he says something, I'm taken aback, like if he's mad, I better heed the warning," Eaton said. "He uses body language too. It's like your father. It's that disappointment you see in his face. You don't want it to happen agai n." Ventura knows the Sox will disappoint him again, and their seven - game winning streak last week easily could precede another skid. That's baseball, a game whose regular season tests participants' patience unlike any other. So when asked if winning enou gh to avoid a July 31 sell - off offered the Sox a chance to hit reset, Ventura just laughed. "You don't just flip on a switch," he said. "It's not like in football where you can say, 'OK, we're going to go with something different, start with the passing game nobody expects.' This is baseball. We're not breaking out the triangle offense out of nowhere. Baseball, you try to make it as simple as you can, get as much clutter out of the mind as possible." The Sox will need clear heads — and more clutch hittin g and pitching — to stay in the AL wild - card race. Their schedule's difficulty changes considerably in August. Their manager's approach won't — because it never has. "It has been a grind to get back to this point, but there's really no, 'OK, we've gotten past this,'" Ventura said. "There's not a different mindset, like it's a separate season. If you're playing well and feeling good, you ride it out and see where it takes you. You're just continuing to go." Methodically, Ventura keeps going, immune to any pressure surrounding him. Impressive, isn't it? John Danks heating up, touches 93 in White Sox' win over Yankees Seth Gr uen, Chicago Sun - Times August 1, 2015 The lefty said he had the best stuff he has had in two years, touching 93 mph on his fastball. “Certainly pleasantly surprised,” Danks said. “The first time I looked up and saw 93, I wanted to throw confetti out there.” Danks (6 - 8), who earned the win, went 5 ⅔ innings, giving up one run and three hits and matching a season high with eight strikeouts. He last struck out eight April 26 against the Royals. Thursday is the three - year anniversary of Danks’ arthroscopic surgery to repair a capsular tear and minor debridements of the rotator cuff and biceps in his left shoulder. Danks thought he wouldn’t be able to get his velocity back, but his outing has given him new optimism. “I didn’t expect 93 to ever come back,” Danks said. “So hopefully I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve worked hard. I’ve had a lot of coach es and teammates helping me out along the way over the last three or four years. Hopefully I can stay the course.” Eaton, Abreu streaking With hits in the first inning, center fielder Adam Eaton and first baseman Jose Abreu extended hitting streaks. Eat on led off the game with a single, giving him a 10 - game hitting streak. Two batters later, Abreu hit a double that scored Eaton and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Eaton reached base three times, had two hits and scored three runs. “You want to get on the board earlier, you want to put the [opposing] team in a deficit right away,” Eaton said. “It’s always good to score runs early. It’s just as much as the pitcher going out there and getting 1 - 2 - 3.” Getting defensive Before the game, right - hand er Jeff Samardzija complimented the team’s defense, saying it was a major reason the Sox have climbed back into the wild - card race. Saturday was no different as the team made several game - changing plays in the outfield. In the second inning, right fielder Avisail Garcia robbed Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius of a potential three - run home run, preserving an early lead. It’s a drastic change from earlier in the season, when the Sox’ struggles defensively were glaring. “I think defense really correlates to better hitting and better pitching,” Eaton said. “The more you can have better defense, the more outs you’re going to get, the less outs you’re going to give your opponents, and then get right back in to hit again. Pitchers feed off that, as well.” Jeff Samardzija thinks White Sox have the goods to make playoffs Seth Gruen, Chicago Sun - Times August 1, 2015 For free agent - to - be Je ff Samardzija, the route to the playoffs might’ve been easier if the White Sox had traded him. But after beating the New York Yankees 8 - 2 on Saturday, the Sox remained 3½ games out of the second wild - card spot, and that’s good enough to keep Samardzija optimistic about his chances to play in October. “We’ve always thought of ourselves as contenders ,” Samardzija said before the game. “We just need to do what we’re capable of doing, and that’ll take care of most of it. I love this team and think we have a great group of guys, and we just need to keep playing like we’ve been playing.” In the days lead ing up to the trade deadline Friday, Samardzija was in contact with general manager Rick Hahn, who would text him updates on various trade possibilities. Samardzija said it’s nice to get back into the routine of starting every fifth day without having to worry about whether he’ll have to move his family. “It was just about being on the same page and being a grown man now with a wife and a family,’’ Samardzija said. ‘‘You just need a heads - up on if things are going to happen, so you can prep accordingly. Obviously, we found out that luckily nothing happened, and we were able to stay put.” The Sox’ inaction could mean they like their chances to re - sign Samardzija or at least want the opportunity to prove to Samardzija that he can win on the South Side. Sa mardzija craves an opportunity to be on a winner, which is certain to influence his decision this offseason. Keeping Samardzija might’ve been the front office’s way of saying it has confidence in this roster to win. Samardzija wouldn’t say if he thought t he front office was sending the team a message by keeping him around. “We’ll get to [trying to re - sign Samardzija] in the offseason,” Hahn said. “From the day we acquired him, it was our hope that we would be able to find a way to make it work out. Obviou sly, if this momentum continues to grow and we’re able to do something special here in October, then I think it enhances our ability to re - sign him or it enhances perhaps his desire to stay or for us to find a way to make it work. ‘‘We still have that opp ortunity now. So keeping him perhaps has increased our chances for that.” Still, if the Sox flounder this month and fall out of the wild - card race, they’ll have an opportunity to move Samardzija during the August waiver period. The Sox could put Samardzi ja on waivers. If a team claims him, the Sox can work out a deal with that team. The waiver deadline is Aug. 31. “We need to keep it up,” Samardzija said. “And there’s still places we could improve, and we have two months to do it.” After win, John Danks is in a confetti mood Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago August 1, 2015 John Danks had a reunion of sorts Saturday, and it made him want to start a celebration right there on the U.S. Cellular Fiel d mound. The Chicago White Sox left - hander, who underwent shoulder surgery three years ago next week, never figured to meet another 93 mph - fastball out of his left hand ever again, but there was the radar gun reading Saturday, up on the scoreboard for all to see. "The first time I looked up and saw 93, I wanted to throw confetti out there," Danks said. He kept the party spirit going by giving up just one run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings to the New York Yankees in an eventual 8 - 2 White Sox victory. T he plan the last two years, since Danks has been back in action, has been to figure out how to be more of a crafty left - hander. There have been some highs, but mostly lows, as the reinvention hit snags along the way. Suddenly, there is a potential scenari o in which Danks can now use what he learned about surviving with limited velocity, and merge it with something resembling his old fastball. "Tonight's the best stuff I've had in two years," said Danks, whose two second - half victories are more than Chris Sale has delivered. "I would say since the All - Star break, my stuff's gradually gotten better. It's nice to see it coming back a little bit. I don't know if that had anything to do with my command or if I was just off. But it's nice to be able to reach bac k and throw a respectable fastball." Danks (6 - 8) has given up one run or less in four of his last six starts. Of course the other two saw him give up six runs in each, but the idea that he can dominate teams on occasion is promising. His eight strikeouts tied a season high. "Yeah, early on he had a little extra to it," manager Robin Ventura said of Danks' fastball. "It was firm and he had a good changeup. For a while, he had a rut there where he had a couple walks leading off the inning to get himself in trouble, but he found a way to get out of it." Where rookie Carlos Rodon became less attracted to the strike zone when he had runners on base Friday, Danks worked harder to get the ball over the plate. He let his defense do the work and impressive plays f rom Avisail Garcia, Adam Eaton, Carlos Sanchez and Alexei Ramirez were key. But it wasn't just pitching and defense, as the high - voltage offense from the most recent road trip returned after a two - game break. Ramirez hit a home run and Melky Cabrera once again collected multiple hits, one of which was a three - run shot that helped the White Sox take control of the game. "I don't know what our average is of late, but it's been great," Eaton said. "I think defense really correlates to better hitting and bett er pitching. The more you have better defense, the more outs you're going to get, less hits you're going to give the opponent and get right back in to hit again. Pitchers feed off that as well. So I think if we continue to play good defense, our hitting wi ll come along and our pitchers are going to help us out." It was a concept hard to argue with Saturday as the White Sox kept making plays and kept scoring runs. The momentum from their recent road success seemed lost when the Boston Red Sox defeated the W hite Sox 8 - 2 on Thursday, and the Yankees won 13 - 6 on Friday. "Last night, you're disappointed with the way it went, but the way the road trip went, it's nice to score like this again," Ventura said. "I think that just picks up where we were as far as the momentum we had on the road, swinging the bat and having some offense. It's nice to come home and do that, as well as to get it right back on track." And if Danks' starts no longer have that cross - your - fingers - and - hope feel about them, then perhaps more extended winning streaks are in the team's future. Can Danks envision even more velocity returning? "I hope so," Danks said. "Heck, I didn't expect 93 [mph] to ever come back, so, hopefully. I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. I worked hard, had a lot of coaches and teammates helping me out along the way over, shoot, the last three or four years. Hopefully I can stay the course and we'll get a lit tle more, but I feel good about where I'm at. I feel like I have plenty right now to give us a chance." When Sale, Jeff Samardzija and Jose Quintana start, it also feels like the White Sox have a chance, especially now that the offense seems to be headed in the proper direction. "We put last night behind us and understood that we had a game to win today," Danks said. "We've just got to keep winning ballgames. We've said that all along and that's still true. We've just got to win as many as we can and see what happens. And to do that, you've got to put the good and bad behind you." Cabrera, Ramirez homer as White Sox beat Yankees 8 - 2 The Associated Press, ESPN.co m August 1, 2015 The Chicago White Sox offense is coming around. So is pitcher John Danks. Melky Cabrera and Alexei Ramirez homered and Danks struck out eight as the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Yankees 8 - 2 on Saturday night. Danks (6 - 8) held the Yankees to a run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked four but his eight strikeouts ma tched a season high and he has not lost in six consecutive starts. "Tonight's the best stuff I've had in two years," said Danks, who is 2 - 0 with a 2.78 ERA in the second half of the season after he went 4 - 8 with a 5.30 ERA in the first half. "I would say since the break my stuff's gradually gotten better. It's nice to be able to reach back and throw a respectable fastball." And it helps that the Sox have averaged seven runs per game and hit 15 home runs over their last 10 games. Danks has been trying to bounce back after undergoing shoulder surgery nearly three years ago. "The first time I looked up and saw 93 (mph for fastball velocity), I wanted to throw confetti out there," Danks said. "It's definitely gotten better. I wish it hadn't taken this long a nd hopefully it'll continue, but I feel good about things right now." Brian McCann hit his 17th homer for the AL East - leading Yankees, who could muster only five hits. Tyler Saladino hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to give the White Sox a tw o - run lead and knock Bryan Mitchell (0 - 1) out of the game. Diego Moreno replaced Mitchell and hit Jose Abreu with a pitch before he allowed Cabrera's three - run homer. Cabrera is hitting .478 with 16 RBI in his last 11 games. "He's been hot," White Sox ma nager Robin Ventura said. "He's been in the middle of a lot of it." Abreu extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI double in the first that put the White Sox ahead. Ramirez homered in the second for his sixth of the season and fourth in 14 gam es for the White Sox, who have won eight of 10. He added an RBI double in the seventh. The White Sox averaged 4.3 runs per game to go 16 - 10 in July for their best monthly mark this season. They averaged just 3.1 runs in June. "When you score runs, period, it's better," Ventura said. "It's been a nice change that we're scoring some runs." Avisail Garcia robbed Didi Gregorius of a three - run home run with a leaping grab at the right - field wall in the third. John Ryan Murphy score d on a sacrifice fly to cut the White Sox lead to one. Danks was called for a balk on a pickoff move after he walked Jacoby Ellsbury in the fifth. Danks then struck out Brett Gardner for his eighth K. He had been 2/3 with a 5.64 ERA in nine career starts against New York. Mitchell allowed four runs and seven hits in four innings in his second career start and first of the season for New York. "I fell behind a lot," Mitchell said. "It's tough to pitch like that. You're going to run into more trouble than not." HERE TO STAY Starter Jeff Samardzija was the subject of trade rumors but remained with the White Sox as the non - waiver trade deadline passed Friday. He seemed content staying put. "We've always thought of ourselves as contenders," he said. "I love this team, and we have a great group of guys and we just need to keep playing like we've been playing." TRAINER'S ROOM Yankees: RHP Nick Rumbelow was recalled from Triple - A Scranton/Wilkes - Barre and RHP Nick Goody was optioned to Triple - A before the game . White Sox: OF J.B. Shuck (hamstring) went on the 15 - day disabled list and RHP Scott Carroll was recalled from Triple - A Charlotte. ...With Shuck sidelined, manager Robin Ventura acknowledged the team will likely need to add a position player. OF Trayce T hompson might be a possibility. His brother, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, tweeted that Trayce reached the majors. Klay later deleted the tweet. ...OF Dayan Viciedo was signed to a minor - league contract and assigned to Triple A. UP NEXT Yank ees RHP Ivan Nova (3 - 3, 3.38 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday in the series finale against RHP Jeff Samardzija (8 - 5, 3.82). Rapid Reaction: White Sox 8, Yankees 2 Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago August 1, 2015 The Chicago White Sox evened the series against the New York Yankees with an 8 - 2 victory Saturday. How it happened: John Danks pitched a solid 5 ⅔ innings to help the White Sox dispatch a brief two - game losing streak. Danks gave up just one run on three hits while matching a season high with eight strikeouts. The big blow for the offense came on a three - run home run from Melky Cabrera in the fifth inning when the White Sox took control. Alexei Ramirez had a solo home run in the se cond inning. What it means: After a quirky July, Danks had a solid August debut. The left - hander had three scoreless outings last month but in the two outings he did give up runs he allowed six earned in each. Friday's outing was more like starts against Baltimore, Kansas City and St. Louis in July. When the White Sox went just 1 - 5 on their six - game homestand to open the second half, it was Danks who picked up the victory against the Kansas City Royals. Outside the box: The White Sox's offense looked more like the one that got its act together on the recent road trip. The White Sox not only averaged seven runs a game during their trip to Cleveland and Boston, they scored nine or more in four of those game s. Cabrera, who was instrumental in helping bring the offense to life, had two hits Saturday. He now has multiple hits in eight of his past 10 games. Off beat: Not known for his defense, Avisail Garcia did his part in the third inning when he appeared to rob Didi Gregorius of a home run by reaching above the fence for a catch in right field. Gregorius ended up with a sacrifice fly instead and Danks limited the damage. It was shades of a play Garcia made against the Baltimore Orioles last month when his ove r - the - fence catch of a Chris Davis drive saved a victory for the White Sox. Up next: The White Sox will send right - hander Jeff Samardzija (8 - 5, 3.82 ERA) to the mound Sunday in the finale of the three - game series. The Yankees will counter with right - hande r Ivan Nova (3 - 3, 3.38) in the 1:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field. Jeff Samardzija has no complaints over staying Doug Padilla, ESPN C hicago August 1, 2015 When he was finally pinned down for an interview, Jeff Samardzija said all the right things Saturday when it came to staying with the Chicago White Sox and not being dealt at the non - waiver trade deadline. If Samardzija harbored a selfish thought th at he would have liked to have been traded to a team with much better odds of winning the World Series, he wasn't about to reveal it. "No, I think we've always thought of ourselves as contenders," Samardzija said when asked if there was any part of him th at wanted to go to a first - place team. "I think we just need to go out and do what we're capable of doing and that'll take care of most of it. I love this team and think we have a great group of guys and we just need to keep playing like we've been playing ." Speculation swirled all the way to the trade deadline that the White Sox could trade Samardzija for a minor league prospect or two. But both sources and reports suggested that while the White Sox listened to offers on Samardzija, they never seemed clos e to dealing him. So instead of going to a contender, like he did last season when he was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Oakland Athletics, Samardzija will fight it out with his White Sox teammates. And if trying to revive a middling White Sox team i sn't enough of an inspiration, he is also pitching for a new contract since he will be a free agent once the season ends. "Yeah, you know, we need to keep playing the way we've been playing," Samardzija said. "Keep pitching the ball well and keep hitting. Obviously those early runs are great and gets the pitchers calmed down and really get into a groove. We've been playing great baseball, we've been playing great defense, too, which ... I don't think is getting talked about." Defensive support was hard to come by for Samardzija in the early going. But Adam Eaton in center field and Alexei Ramirez at shortstop have been much improved in recent months, and the infield defense has received a boost from second baseman Carlos Sanchez and third baseman Tyler Sal adino, not to mention the utility play from Gordon Beckham. So while the chance to appear in the postseason has its appeal, there is some comfort for Samardzija in playing for the team located closest to his Valparaiso, Indiana, hometown and not having to relocate midseason. "Yeah, it's nice to not have to get all that help from my wife moving, picking up and moving a house here and there," said Samardzija, who lived out of Bay Area hotels when he was traded to the A's last year. "All the things that go w ith it, it's tough. It's definitely a big adjustment when you get traded. It's nice to be able to take a deep breath and really get back to concentrating on that five - day routine and getting ready to pitch again." At some point Samardzija will think about the future and his impending free - agent status. All indications are that the right - hander is intent on exploring his value on the free - agent market so the odds of signing an extension with the White Sox appear slim. They will have their chance, though, ju st like any other team when free agency begins. Instead, Samardzija can now work on extending his recent run where he has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last 10 starts. He is also 4 - 2 at home this season with a 2.86 ERA in nine outings. Wh en will he think about free agency? "Professional athletes, it don't stop; they say there's an offseason, but there's really not anymore," he said. "You gotta continue working out and staying on top of things. When the season's over, you'll address those things. "Right now, you don't want to take anything for granted. What we do is not guaranteed tomorrow so you need to come out and work on what you need to work on, control what you can control and then worry about next year next year." Oh brother: Looks like Trayce Thompson is on the way Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago August 1, 2015 Known for having a quick trigger, the Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson was at it again Saturday. The sharpshooter, who won a championship and was an All - Star with the Warriors this past season, appeared to be a little ahead of himself when he sent out a message via Twitter on Saturday that his brother, Trayce Thompson, had been called up to the Chic ago White Sox. "Some of the greatest news I've ever heard my little bro is in the majors. Words can't describe how proud I am can't wait to get to Chicago!" read the tweet on Klay Thompson's account, @KlayThompson. The only problem? Trayce Thompson has n ot been called up … yet. Klay Thompson has since deleted the tweet. When backup White Sox outfielder J.B. Shuck was placed on the disabled list on Saturday, the team called up pitcher Scott Carroll. Two White Sox relievers had extended outings in Friday n ight’s 13 - 6 defeat to the New York Yankees so the club had to bolster the bullpen. But the White Sox are not expected to keep the extra bullpen arm for long, according to manager Robin Ventura. When the pitching staff goes back to 12 pitchers, Trayce Tho mpson figures to get the call. He was not in the starting lineup at Triple - A Charlotte on Saturday and could be activated as early as Sunday. A second - round draft pick in 2009, Trayce Thompson has steadily climbed through the White Sox’s system. In his fi rst season at Triple - A this year, the 24 - year old was named an All - Star. He is currently batting .260 at Charlotte with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs with a .441 slugging percentage. Dayan Viciedo returns to White Sox on minor league deal Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago August 1, 2015 It is not exactly the type of offensive upgrade the Chicago White Sox were looking for at the non - waiver trade deadline, but the team did announce Saturday that they had s igned Dayan Viciedo to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple - A Charlotte. The former White Sox slugger, who was largely a disappointment during his five seasons on the South Side, has already opted out of minor league deals with the Toronto B lue Jays and Oakland Athletics this year. He was released by the White Sox this past offseason. "I know he's with us but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be here tomorrow or what we are bringing in," manager Robin Ventura said. "We are familiar with him and comfortable in knowing what he can do if he gets it going." Viciedo had a career - best 25 home runs and 78 RBIs in 2012 for the White Sox but failed to reach those totals in his next two seasons as his slugging percentage dropped in both 2013 and 2014. An outfielder for most of his time with the White Sox, Viciedo did play 11 games at first base this year for Oakland's Triple - A affiliate in Nashville. White Sox see offense, defense coming together for playoff push J.J. Stankevitz, CSN Chicago August 1, 2015 After two blowout losses put some of their good vibrations on hiatus, the White Sox returned to what got them into the American League playoff race. Melky Cabrera launched a three - run homer and Carlos Sanchez and Avisail Garcia came up with big defensive plays to push the White Sox to an 8 - 2 win over the New York Yankees in front of 34,379 Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field. John Danks fired 5 2/3 i nnings of one - run ball to help the White Sox reverse their fortunes after losing back - to - back games by a combined 13 runs. “It says a lot about this ballclub,” Danks said. “We put last night behind us and understood that we had a game to win today. … We just gotta win as many as we can and see what happens. In order to do that, you gotta put the good and bad behind you.” The White Sox got on the board in the first when Adam Eaton scored from first on Jose Abreu’s double down the left field line. Alexei Ramirez — like Cabrera, another slow starter who’s hit the ball well lately — ripped a solo home run, his sixth of the season, in the second off Yankees starter Bryan Mitchell. In the third, Garcia robbed Yankees shortstop Didi Gregarious of a home run, perfectly timing his leap at the right field wall to ca tch a ball that would’ve otherwise landed in the visitor’s bullpen. A run scored on what turned out to be a nothing more than a sacrifice fly, and the White Sox held on to the lead. With New York threatening in the sixth, McCann pinch hit and hit a rocket to Sanchez at second. The ball took a difficult hop, but the 22 - year - old second baseman made the play to beat back a potential late rally. “We’ve had our issues early in the year defensively, and part of that is we know we’re going to be able to pitch an d our guys go out there and they’re trusting the defense,” manager Robin Ventura said. “I think you can’t be afraid to throw strikes and be able to let the defense work for you. Especially our infield right now, we feel pretty good about it and being able to turn some hard - hit balls into outs.” Saladino punched an RBI single to right to score Eaton — who blew through third base coach Joe McEwing’s late stop signal — to help tee up Cabrera’s three - run blast in the fifth. On the morning of June 8, Cabrera h ad a .226 batting average and .521 OPS. In 47 games since, he has 64 hits in 179 at - bats with 18 doubles, two triples and six home runs with an OPS well over .950. During the White Sox recent seven - game winning streak, Cabrera had 18 hits in 33 at - bats (.5 45 batting average) with two home runs, 11 RBIs and a 1.589 OPS. “He’s been in the middle of a lot of it,” Ventura said. “Right now, you feel pretty good about him and Jose back - to - back. … Melky’s been swinging it as good as anyone on our team.” Danks said he had his best stuff in two years and topped out at 94 miles per hour, according to BrooksBaseball.net — “The first time I looked up and saw 93, I wanted to throw confetti out there,” Danks said — though he didn’t make it out of the sixth. He limited New York to three hits and tied a season high with eight strikeouts, but issued four walks, limiting his ability to go deep into Saturday’s game. With Minnesota’s walk - off win over Seattle, the White Sox remain three and a half games behind the Twins for the second American League Wild Card spot. But the White Sox are confident that they’re playing the kind of baseball necessary to hang in a bunched - up, competitive playoff race. “I think defense really correlate s to better hitting and better pitching,” Eaton said. “The more you have better defense, the more outs you’re going to get, less outs you’re going to give the opponent and get right back in to hit again. Pitchers feed off that as well. So I think if we con tinue to play good defense, our hitting will come along and our pitchers are going to help us out.” Still in Chicago, Jeff Samardzija sees White Sox as contenders J.J. Stankevitz, CSN Chicago August 1, 2015 After weeks of speculation that a Jeff Samardzija trade was inevitable, the 30 - year - old right - hander is still here at U.S. Cellular Field, readying himself to start for the White Sox on Sunday against the Yankees. Friday’s non - waive r trade deadline passed with the White Sox standing pat, choosing to hang on to Samardzija and continue a playoff push that gained legitimacy after a seven - game winning streak last month. Samardzija said he’s relieved to not have to uproot himself from Chi cago for the second straight year and isn’t disappointed to currently be playing for a team that’s over .500 and closer to a playoff spot. “I think we’ve always thought of ourselves as contenders,” Samardzija said. “I think we just need to go out and do w hat we’re capable of doing and that’ll take care of most of it. I love this team and think we have a great group of guys and we just need to keep playing like we’ve been playing.” Entering Saturday, the White Sox owned a 49 - 52 record and were three and and a half games behind a Minnesota Twins team that appears to be fading fast for the second American League wild card spot. But as winners of seven of their last 10 games, the White Sox went from probable sellers to possible buyers at the deadline, and instead of flipping their biggest trade chip for a few minor leaguers decided to keep Samardzija for a playoff push. A year ago, the Cubs were clear sellers and shipped Samardzija to O akland in a blockbuster deal that landed them top infield prospect Addison Russell. The A’s wound up blowing their lead in the AL West and Samardzija didn’t appear in a Wild Card playoff loss to Kansas City, leaving him with only one postseason appearance in his career (one inning of relief for the Cubs in the 2008 National League Division Series). The White Sox are hardly guaranteed to make the playoffs this year, but manager Robin Ventura said he hasn’t seen Samardzija sulk over not going to a club that looks like a lock to play deep into October. “I think if he doesn’t like his team there could be disappointment, but I haven’t sensed any disappointment from him,” Ventura said. “Even when he was pitching in Boston he was all for it and going. I haven’t s een any change from him being disappointed. He likes being here, he’s a competitor and I have no doubts or anything of sending him out there that he’s not going to be giving his best effort or committed to this.” Samardzija, a free agent after this season, won’t entertain any thoughts of his next move until he’s done playing this year. But the distractions that come with trade rumors are gone, and Samardzija said he’s relieved to get past the deadline and stick around Chicago instead of uprooting his life for two or three months. “Yeah, it’s nice to not have to get all that help from my wife picking up and moving (to) a house here and there,” Samardzija said. “All the things that go with it, it’s tough. It’s def initely a big adjustment when you get traded. It’s nice to be able to take a deep breath and really get back to concentrating on that five - day routine and getting ready to pitch again.” White Sox place J.B. Shuck on DL, recall Scott Carroll for now J.J. Stankevitz, CSN Chicago August 1, 2015 The White Sox on Saturd ay placed outfielder J.B. Shuck on the 15 - day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and recalled right - hander Scott Carroll from Triple - A Charlotte to aid a taxed bullpen. Shuck injured his hamstring during the White Sox blowout loss to the New Yor k Yankees Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field. If the White Sox need an outfielder due to an injury, utilityman Leury Garcia or third baseman Tyler Saladino could see time there. Instead of a fourth outfielder, the White Sox brought up Carroll after three relievers and Adam LaRoche had to pick up six innings of work after Carlos Rodon struggled Friday night. With Saturday starter John Danks having a team - high 4.97 ERA and averaging just over 5 2/3 innings per start, and both Daniel Webb and Dan Jennings th rowing two innings Friday, Carroll provides some necessary insurance. But Carroll’s return to Chicago may not last long, with a few signs pointing to Trayce Thompson earning his first promoti on to the major leagues. In since - deleted social media posts, Thompson's brothers, Klay and Mychel, said their younger sibling was on his way to the major leagues. White Sox manager Robin Ventura alluded to needing to add a true outfielder sooner rather than later, too. In 104 games with Triple - A Charlotte this year, Thompson is hitting .260 with a .744 OPS, 13 home runs and 11 stolen bases. “Eventually we are going to have to do that,” Ventura said. “Again, the way it has gone the last couple of games, burning through those guys early, you have to cover yourself and Scotty becomes that guy. We are a little light in extra guys.” Garcia appeared as an outfielder in 26 games for Triple - A Charlotte this year and said he feels comfortable playing left, center or right if need be. With Shuck on the shelf, the White Sox lose a player Ventura was comforta ble using as a pinch - hitter late in games. Shuck delivered with key hits and RBIs in a number of those situations this year and has a .278/.339/.361 slash line in 112 plate appearances. “We get in a tight spot at the end of the game and you need a lefty t o come off the bench,” Ventura said. “He’s been great at doing that. He had some momentum going in that too, where he felt confident coming in there with a tough at - bat and being able to either start something or knock something in. He’s been that guy for us throughout the year. It’s a tough one to not have for a while.” White Sox sign Dayan Viciedo, assign him to Triple - A Charlotte CSN Chicago August 1, 2015 The White Sox are bringing back a familiar face. Dayan Viciedo, who played with the South Siders from 2010 - 14, has been signed by the White Sox and assigned to Triple - A Charlotte, the team announced on Saturday. Viciedo, 26, was originally signed by the White Sox in 2008 out of Cuba. In five MLB seasons, Vic iedo has a slash line of .254/.298/.424 with 66 home runs and 211 RBI. Viciedo last appeared with the White Sox in 2014, where he had a slash line of .231/.281/.404 with 21 homers and 58 RBI. Viciedo was hitting .22 1 with one home run and eight RBI in 30 games for the Oakland Athletics Triple - A affiliate in Nashville before being released last month. Viciedo will be in uniform for the Knights against the Indianapolis Indians on Saturday night. Former White Sox Organi st’s Offbeat Approach Resonated for Decades Rob Harms, The New York Times August 1, 2015 In 1970, just before she was hired as the organist for the Chicago White Sox, Nancy Faust received a letter from a team official. “I would suggest that perhaps, in your own mind, you start thinking of music that would be suitable for the park,” the letter stated, according to Faust, who read it word for word during a recent phone interview. “Little comic gimmicks that involve umpires, players, fans, etc., are always welcome.” It ended, Faust said, “Enclosed is a roster showing the states where most of our boys live.” So began Faust’s tradition of playing each player’s state song when he walked to the plate to bat — and, apparently, so began the long, surprisingly intricate history of walk - up music. Faust, whose musical wit throughout her 40 - year tenure m ade her a Chicago baseball celebrity, believes she was the first person to assign music to players. So is she the founder of walk - up music? “Many organists, they were stuck in a mode of t he ’60s,” Faust said. “You had ‘Moon River.’ ” When Faust arrived in the center - field bleachers of the old Comiskey Park, where the organ used to be located, she had an open mind and panache. She sat among the fans and solicited their suggestions, creatin g a musical community of sorts. During one particularly sluggish game in 1971, she remembered, the White Sox broadcaster Harry Caray complained on the air about its pace. “I heard Harry say something about, ‘Oh, this keeps dragging — they’re going to have to carry me back home after this,’ ” Faust said. So Faust played “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny.” (If he had said that a few years later, Faust said, she would have playe d “Carry On My Wayward Son.”) Caray, in his first season with the White Sox, appreciated her creativity and let his listeners know. The radio mention, Faust said, “lit my fire and encouraged me.” Faust, with few restrictions, then began experimenting wit h songs. When she moved behind home plate during her third season, allowing her to see Caray call the games, she would play “Heartbreak Hotel” or other songs he liked. When the fans’ attention shifted to him, Caray would beam and wave, and Faust would play “I’m Just Wild About Harry.” On a summer night in 1977, with the White Sox in the race for first place in the division, she played “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” after the Kansas City Royals pulled their pitcher. When a rookie with a difficult - to - pron ounce surname walked to the plate, Faust would play “Who Are You” by the Who. If a player’s father was in the league, Faust would use “Papa Don’t Preach” by Madonna. Faust played songs for the fans, for the moment. She did not think players found her musi c helpful; they had enough to worry about, she thought. “I didn’t do it for the player; I was there for the enjoyment of the fans,” Faust said. But then came walk - up music as we now know it. Faust said she was approached by a member of the White Sox’ mar keting department, who told her that the Cleveland Indians had begun letting players choose their own walk - up songs. What ensued was that she would play walk - up music for opponents, while a stadium D.J. would control the songs for White Sox players. This new approach, she said, eliminated spontaneity, and maybe enthusiasm. “If you have momentum going, and you’ve got three guys on base and the next guy comes up to bat, and you’ve got the fans going crazy — and it all stops to listen to what I might liken to a musical selfie?” Faust said. “It just stops the momentum. And then you’ve got to hope you can get it going agai n.” Faust kept going until 2010, when she retired to fanfare befitting her tenure — 40 years, 13 managers and a World Series title. The team unveiled a plaque for her at a ceremony before one of her final games. Nancy Faust bobbleheads were handed out the same day. Faust, who grew up in Chicago and still lives there, had become a White Sox icon. “I just found the right niche in life,” she said. Soon after her retirement, she received another letter. This one seemed more important, with a postman arriving at h er house to have her sign for it. “Dear Nancy,” the letter began, according to Faust, “I’m pleased to join your family, friends and fans in congratulating you as you retire from your career as organist for the Chicago White Sox. Over the course of your ca reer, you have demonstrated the ability to harness the energy of a crowd, capture the excitement of a moment and leave a lasting mark on our memories.” It closed: “Congratulations again on your special occasion. Best wishes to you in the years ahead. “Si ncerely, Barack Obama.” His walk - up song? “Hail to the Chief,” of course. Enter Sound Man: An Insider’s Look at Baseball’s Walk - Up Music Rob Harms, The New York Times July 31, 2015 Mike Castellani put aside his pregame dinner, leaned back and smiled. Dressed in a blue polo shirt and gray jeans and twirling a pair of eyeglasses in his hand, he was as ready as he would ever be for the music to begin. Castellani has been the sound man for the Mets since 1994, through some good years and numerous bad ones. From a room overlooking Citi Field filled with 35 monitors and co - workers banging on keypads, he can turn on the music in one of the stadium’ s ritzy lounges with the flick of a finger. With another press, he can cue the walk - up music that plays over the public - address system when Mets batters stroll to the plate or when the team’s relief pitchers jog in from the bullpen. “Everything you hear in the park,” said Tim Gunkel, an official in the Mets’ production and marketing department, “goes through him.” Walk - up music is typically reserved for the home team in baseball and has loudly made its presence felt. The players pick the songs, and their choices often reflect pop culture. That means a lot of the lyrics are not necessarily suitable for ballpark audie nces, although teams, by using only carefully chosen snippets of the songs, are generally able to sidestep that issue. Castellani and others like him in ballparks around the major leagues make sure it all works — that the songs match the player, inning af ter inning, game after game, month after month. As the games become more important, the music takes on a little more meaning. At Citi Field, Castellani — “I call myself an audio engineer,” he said — keeps an eye on which Met is headed to the plate, or to the mound, and punches a player - specific code into a large pad in front of him. To avoid confusion, he sorts the songs to be used not by the name of the artist but by that of the player. To play the song for a Lucas Duda at - bat earlier this season, for ex ample, he entered the code “LD1.” Soon, “All Along the Watchtower,” the Jimi Hendrix version, was thumping through the stadium’s speakers as Duda approached the batter’s box. “We can be somewhere else not looking at the field, and we hear the song and we’ re like, ‘Lucas Duda’s coming up,’ ” Gunkel said. “And I think the fans do that, too.” But it is not just the fans who are listening. Some time ago, the Mets’ Curtis Granderson remembered, there was an umpire who really liked the song “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ T hang,” a rap classic by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg. Granderson used to walk up to the plate to that song, and the umpire felt compelled to praise the choice. “He said, ‘By far the best song in the big leagues,’ ” Granderson recalled. Umpires, fans, us ers of social media — they all have told Granderson, who this season has regularly used “Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg, what they think of his musical preferences. An insightful and occasionally amu sing package of the sports journalism you need today, delivered to your inbox by New York Times reporters and editors. And in one instance, several years ago, when Granderson was using “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” he ran into Busta Rhymes, the man who sings it, when they were both on a talk show. (No, they did not break out in song.) Other times, the artist approaches the athlete. Earlier this season, the Christian musician Brandon Heath found o ut that Yankees catcher John Ryan Murphy walked to the plate to “Give Me Your Eyes,” one of Heath’s most popular songs. Heath, who said he had always wanted to be a part of a player’s walk - up music, wrote Murphy a Twitter message. That eventually led to lunch at a pub in the East Village, where they discussed their families and how to navigate New York City. Murphy then treated Heath and his wife to a Yankees game, and they have plans to meet up again, a friendship borne of walk - up music. But if religion informed Murphy’s choice of music, movies have inspired one of his counterparts, Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud. “I don’t know if you’ve seen that one U.F.C. movie with Kevin James in it,” d’Arnaud said, referring to the comedy “Here Comes the Boom,” about a teacher who trains to become a mixed martial arts fighter. “The teacher talks about how in war they used to play their battle songs to get you ready for the war. And for me, that moment, that’s my war with the pitcher, so I need s omething to get me hyped up and get me ready to go out there and see a baseball coming at me at 95 miles an hour.” The song that meets d’Arnaud’s lofty standards this year is “0 to 100 / The Catch Up” by Drake. “Because when I walk up to the plate, it mak es me feel” — d’Arnaud paused, searching for the right words — “really good.” Players used to have little input about what song was played before their at - bats. In 1970, Nancy Faust, the popular organist for the Chicago White Sox who retired in 2010 and i s believed to be the founder of walk - up music, started playing hitters’ state songs as they came to the plate. She then started experimenting with other songs for various players, and they became her signature. “I had the ability to be able to just play s pontaneous,” Faust said. But in the mid - 1980s, with better technology, walk - up music transformed into a player - driven phenomenon. Players chose their own songs, and walk - up music began its evolution to where it is today. For the Mets, that means having members of the audio staff ask players in spring training for three or four songs they want to use in the regular season and to begin compiling playlists. Song choices range from merengue to Macklemore. Matt Harvey consulted with a music editor to create his own Fra nk Sinatra - infused clip; on the Yankees, Alex Rodriguez used “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” by Journey earlier this season. Some players change their song every two years; others change it every other homestand. Mike Piazza was famous for choosing a whole bunch of songs when he played for the Mets. “He would call for something pregame, and we wanted to try to get it for him,” Gunkel said, “so we’d actually send an intern out to a record store.” Now, of course, when players request a new song, the Mets’ audio staf f simply finds it digitally. For players, the process for choosing a song can be more complicated than it appears. First, they have to find a 15 - second clip that is clean, which is not always easy. The crowd, Granderson noted, contains thousands of people of all ages. Faust said, “At first, when we were playing recorded music, we had to be very mindful — and we weren’t at the beginning — of lyrics.” To manage, the audio staff members frequently use instrumentals, find clean versions of songs or work around the lyrics they do not want pulsing through the stadium. Next, the song must be different from other players’ choices because, Granderson said, “y ou don’t want to double up.” Songs and entrances for relief pitchers and closers, made popular by the 1989 movie “Major League,” can be more theatrical than those used for hitters — check out “Craig Kimbrel entrance” on YouTube — because of the game situations in which they ar ise: late innings, game on the line, fans tense. Gunkel noted that most stadiums now had “distributed sound” with speakers in every section, but he remembered a time when all of the stadium’s speakers were entrenched behind center field and “you’d listen for a coupl e seconds, and you’d try to figure out what song it is.” Still, Granderson said, even current sound systems “might not do justice to the song you want,” so players have to keep their ears open. A few lockers away, the Mets rookie outfielder Darrell Cecil iani explained that there were two types of walk - up songs: those that pump up and those that calm down. Ceciliani, who was called up to the Mets from Class AAA Las Vegas in May and has since been sent back, said that in the minors this season, he was walking out to “All - American Middle Class White Boy” by Thomas Rhett because of its mellowing effect. With th e Mets? “I actually don’t have one yet,” he said. “I’ve got to get ahold of somebody to do that.” Well, maybe if he is called up again. Some players, like d’Arnaud, care deeply, almost superstitiously, about their walk - up music; others seem more casual a bout it. When d’Arnaud was mired in a slump in the first month of last season, he cycled through four or five songs before returning to his original Busta Rhymes track. “And I started feeling good again,” he said. But can walk - up music enhance performance ? Jonathan F. Katz, a psychologist who has worked with several professional athletes and teams, including the N.H.L.’s Rangers, said music — which athletes have used to mentally prepare for competition long before walk - up music emerged — was one of several factors that could affect on - field production. “Music is a factor in getting people in the right mind - set,” Katz said. “Now, the body and the mind work interactively, right? If you’re kind of anxious and nervous, the tension in your arm and how you hold the bat and your grip could be affected.” He added, “The better the physical and mental state that a batter is whe n he gets in the batter’s box, the better position he is to hit.” During a recent interview with Pillar, the song “Springsteen,” by the country singer Eric Church, was blaring through a speaker in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse at Citi Field. About 30 seconds in, it cut off, and Pillar got up from his chair to investigate. He glanced at his cellphone, which was att ached to the speaker. “Sorry, I’m a popular person,” he joked to his teammate Justin Smoak. Pillar then set the phone back down, and the music played on.