White Sox swept in weekend series against Indians

Sep 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

(67) pitches during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

For three straight days the Chicago White Sox didn’t play their best baseball, leading to three consecutive losses (with a very silent offensive presence) at Progressive Field to the Cleveland Indians.

Sep 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) throws his bat after striking out to end the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

For the three games in Cleveland, the White Sox totaled just two runs, with one run in the series opening game Friday and one run on Saturday.

I know the White Sox have been bad this season, but the lack of run support with the two best starting pitchers on the team is inexcusable, no matter if a win doesn’t matter in the long term of this season. Scoring two runs in a series just can’t happen, even if the team is 63-79 on the year, 16.5 games back of the AL Central first-place Kansas City Royals.

The White Sox were held scoreless on Sunday as they were shut out, 2-0. On Friday the White Sox lost 2-1 and Saturday the loss was by a 3-1 score.

In Sunday’s loss, the White Sox had just four hits with Jose Abreu, Conor Gillaspie, Andy Wilkins and Adrian Nieto combining for the four hits. The White Sox were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

The starting pitching all weekend for the White Sox was very good, even on Sunday when Scott Carroll pitched seven innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and one walk. He only had one strikeout. For Carroll (or most pitchers) this was a very good day.

The loss drops Carroll to 5-10 on the season.

Looking at Saturday’s game, the pitching of Jose Quintana was excellent as well. He pitched six innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits and one walk. He struck out seven, seeing his ERA sit at 3.38 on the season.

Quintana had the no-decision in the White Sox 3-1 loss.

The offense on Saturday had just five hits, with five different players having a hit.

Friday night the White Sox were able to get hits (9), but not enough around the bases for runs, as they had just one run in the 10 inning loss.

Chris Sale was the starting pitcher, and he went six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk. He struck out five, with his ERA moving down to 2.09 on the season in the no-decision.

Abreu was the lone White Sox with multiple hits Friday as he was 2-for-4 with one walk. The run was scored by Alexei Ramirez off a third inning solo home run with two outs.

Next up for the White Sox will be a four-game series at US Cellular Field against the former White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn and the Oakland Athletics, starting Monday.