April 23--Jose Abreu spent Wednesday morning talking about how the White Sox needed to display "fierceness" on offense earlier in games to help them break out from their season-opening slumber.
The Sox first baseman then put his words into action with a first-inning homer for the second straight game to give the Sox a lead they never relinquished in a 6-0 victory over the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Sox offense had one of its better games of the season against an unlikely opponent -- reigning American League Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. The Indians ace gave up a career-worst 13 hits, which included Abreu's two-run double in the seventh inning that drove him from the game.
"That's Jose," Sox center fielder Adam Eaton said. "You can't say enough about his professionalism at the plate. ... Everything he gets, he earns."
Fourteen games into the season, Abreu said he has "every confidence" the Sox can be better than their 6-8 start has shown.
The Sox have flashed their offensive ability, scoring 12 runs Saturday against the Tigers and four in the ninth inning for a comeback victory Monday over the Indians. But they still rank among the bottom half of teams with 50 runs scored and a .302 on-base percentage.
"We have to make some changes probably in the way we are approaching the game," Abreu said through a team interpreter before Wednesday's victory. "We have to be more a unit, like a team -- the players, the coaches, everybody."
While still learning English, Abreu is a leader by example for the entire clubhouse. He doesn't feel like it is his place to call a team meeting yet, but he said it might help to talk over the early struggles.
"We still have more than 100 games left," Abreu said. "We just have to keep working. Maybe at some point have a meeting and think about what we have been doing or what we need to be executing. ... I am very confident that we will be OK at the end of the season."
One down: Right-hander Jeff Samardzija said he was happy to secure his first victory in a Sox uniform not only for himself but for his new teammates.
"It's all about proving yourself to these guys," Samardzija said. "You get new teammates and you want to make sure you prove your worth to them."
Samardzija allowed six hits with two walks and six strikeouts, throwing 113 pitches over six innings.
"My ball was off the plate away," Samardzija said. "That is what I was frustrated with. My ball was running a lot because I didn't have that velocity I normally like."
Eaton said the Sox have come to understand Samardzija will fight through any problems he encounters.
"I've noticed just after being around him for a short amount of time, you don't mess around with him on game day," Eaton said. "Even late innings, you can tell he's focused on what he needs to do. ... You can feel that energy from him, that he will give you 120 pitches of the best he has that day."
Shaking it off: Sox manager Robin Ventura has no doubt rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon will leave his shaky major-league debut behind quickly.
Rodon said he went right to sleep Tuesday night after he gave up two earned runs on three hits, with three walks and one strikeout in his first appearance out of the Sox bullpen.
"I'm ready to get back on the mound, man," he said Wednesday.
Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said Rodon gets a "mulligan" for a moment unlike any other in a pitcher's career.
"There was nothing where we wanted it last night," Cooper said. "He threw more balls than strikes. I'm sure it had a lot to do with it, the nerves. He wasn't finishing his pitches, was standing straight up at the end. I think the moment was a big moment."
Ventura brought Rodon in with runners on first and third and two outs, a difficult situation for any pitcher, let alone one used to starting. Rodon liked the confidence and said he has to be ready for such a situation in the future.
"I'm glad he did," Rodon said. "Hopefully he does it again."
ckane@tribpub.com
