News » Sox are hoping first baseman Jose Abreu is heating

HOUSTON -- The Chicago White Sox lamented their inability to make plays in crucial situations after losing three straight games by one run each to Houston. NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . They finally found a way to capitalize when they had a chance to change the game Monday night and it led to a 4-2 win over the Astros. Dayan Viciedos bases-loaded triple in a four-run sixth inning helped the White Sox snap a four-game losing streak. They also avoided being swept in a four-game series for the first time since 2008. Chicago trailed 2-0 before Alejandro De Aza singled in the sixth and went to third on Adam Dunns two-out single. Paul Konerko pulled Chicago to 2-1 with an RBI single that went between the legs of starter Bud Norris and into centre field. Conor Gillaspie barely beat the throw to first on an infield single that loaded the bases. That brought up Viciedo, whose triple landed on Tals Hill in centre field just out of the reach of a diving Brandon Barnes. All three runners scored to put Chicago up 4-2. "It was a good one for Viciedo to get a hit," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Its just one of those that you hope gets him going a little bit because hes been missing out. And to finally get it, with him doing it, its good to see." It was the second straight game with a triple for Viciedo, making him the first White Sox player to do that since Mark Kotsay in August 2010. "Theres been some rough spots where things havent gone the right way," Viciedo said through a translator. "But I feel like theres some good things, too, and I want to work on the good things Im doing right now. I want to concentrate on those things and become more consistent." Nate Jones (3-4) allowed three hits in 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the win. He struck out three. Addison Reed pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save. White Sox starter Jose Quintana yielded five hits and two runs in 4 2-3 innings, but didnt factor in the decision for the fourth straight start. He has a no-decision in nine of his 14 starts this season. Jason Castro doubled twice and drove in two runs for the Astros, who had won four straight. Barnes had three hits. Norris (5-7) allowed eight hits and four runs over six innings in his third consecutive loss. "I was in a groove, and that sixth inning was very frustrating," he said. "Im still frustrated about it." It was a rare road win for the struggling White Sox, who have dropped 12 of their last 14 away from Chicago and 14 of 19 overall. The Astros had runners at the corners with no outs in the seventh after back-to-back singles by Barnes and Jose Altuve. But Matt Thornton struck out Castro before Jesse Crain fanned J.D. Martinez and Chris Carter to end the inning. Carter struck out twice to give him 101 this season, which leads the majors. The Astros struck out 12 times in all to extend their total to a major league-high 673. Crain struck out three in 1 2-3 innings for his career-high 27th straight scoreless appearance to tie a franchise record for relievers. He was just happy to help the team end its skid. "We needed to turn things around," he said. "Obviously, weve been struggling and getting this one and avoiding the streak was big and hopefully we start a new win streak and win tomorrow." Ventura raved about Crain. "Its not just easy situations going in there mopping up," he said. "Hes been coming into some real tough situations and coming through for us. Its amazing what hes been doing. I think hes just been locked in, healthy and everything else." Altuve singled with one out in the first and scored on a double by Castro to make it 1-0. Quintana pitched a 1-2-3 second inning before getting into trouble in the third. Barnes singled to start the inning before stealing second base and advancing to third on an error by catcher Hector Gimenez with one out. Castros second double, which bounced off the wall in right field, sent Barnes home to extend the lead to 2-0. Castro has five RBIs, two doubles and two homers in the last three games. Norris looked good early. He allowed a double to Alex Rios with two outs in the first before retiring the next eight batters. Rios singled with one out in the fourth and stole second, but Norris set down the next two batters to end the threat. NOTES: Houston activated OF Justin Maxwell from the 15-day disabled list and optioned OF Jimmy Paredes to Triple-A Oklahoma City after the game. Maxwell, who has been out since April 24 with a broken left hand, will be in Tuesdays lineup. ... Chicagos Dylan Axelrod opposes Minnesotas Mike Pelfrey when the White Sox open a three-game series against the Twins on Tuesday. ... Jordan Lyles is scheduled to pitch for the Astros on Tuesday when they open a series with Milwaukee. Right-hander Alfredo Figaro is set to pitch for the Brewers. ... The Astros signed second-round draft pick RHP Andrew Thurman and four other picks on Monday. Thurman was at Minute Maid Park and worked out with the team before the game. Houston also signed 28th-round pick LHP Jordan Mills, 30th-round pick RHP Jorge Perez, 33rd-rounder 1B Tyler White and J.D. Osborne, who was selected in the 36th round. Jerseys NFL Wholesale China . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Stitched Cheap Jerseys NFL . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. http://www.nfljerseyschinastore.com/ . PAUL, Minn. CHICAGO -- The Baltimore Orioles cling to a slim lead in the American League East, while the Chicago White Sox are trying to avoid tumbling further down the AL Central standings.The teams meet for a three-game series starting Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.The Orioles (61-46) lead the Toronto Blue Jays in the division by percentage points after taking two of three against West leader Texas.I was impressed with how well our guys pitched against them because thats a tough lineup to go through and stay engaged in the game, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Thats the type of thing were going to have be able to do to get where we want to go.Since the All-Star break, Baltimore is 10-10. While the Orioles own the best home record in the majors at 39-17, on the road theyre just 22-29 and have lost seven of their last nine.The series could be interesting in terms of power. The Orioles top the majors with 161 home runs -- including 31 by right fielder Mark Trumbo, who has one more than White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier for the most in all of baseball. And U.S. Cellular Field can be a hitter-friendly park.The White Sox (52-56) are 7-13 in the second half and are returning from an eight-game road trip after dropping two of three to the Detroit Tigers. Chicago is 10 games behind AL Central leader Cleveland and seven games back in the wild card race.The White Sox and Baltimore split four games April 28-May 1 in Baltimore.For the Orioles, right-hander Yovani Gallardo (3-3, 5.70 ERA) is expected too start. Nike NFL Jerseys China. He is winless in six starts since June 29. Gallardo allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings against Toronto in his last start Saturday. In 11 career innings against the White Sox, he has given up one unearned run.Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (2-5, 4.06 ERA) is scheduled to start for the White Sox in his first meeting with his former team. Baltimore released him during spring training after he posted a 9.78 ERA in six starts. Gonzalez was 39-33 with a 3.82 ERA in four seasons with the Orioles. Last month, Gonzalez went 1-2 with a 2.50 ERA and pitched six innings or more in all six starts.The White Sox are hoping first baseman Jose Abreu is heating up. He homered in Thursdays 6-3 victory over the Tigers for his first drive since June 23. He has 12 home runs after hitting 30 last season.It has been a long time and somewhere in there it has been dragging on him, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. His swings today were great. Hes been hitting a lot of balls right on the nose, which is a good sign for him.The last few days weve seen the ball jump off his bat, not chasing a lot of stuff. He looks pretty comfortable at the plate and everything coming off his bat is pretty solid.As far as injuries, White Sox rookie shortstop Tim Anderson is day to day after suffering a bruised left hand Thursday.It was relieving to get those X-rays negative, Anderson said. ' ' '