White Sox 6, A's 1: Abreu, Latos lead Sox to series win

In the first series of 2016, White Sox fans got a chance to see the new additions make key contributions, a torrid start by Adam Eaton, and power from Jose Abreu. The highlight of this season's first four games is the team's greatest strength: starting pitching.

The foursome of Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon, and Thursday's start Mat Latos, lead the way to hold the Oakland Athletics to just ten runs over 36 innings. The biggest surprise is how well Latos performed after his struggles during Spring Training. In six innings, Latos held the A's scoreless and almost hitless only allowing a Chris Coghlan single in the fifth inning on just 88 pitches.

Looking at his pitch chart, his very efficient 2nd thru 4th innings played a big part in his success.

Helping Latos earn his first win as a White Sox was Abreu's first home run of 2016. Opposing starting pitcher, Kendall Graveman had an impressive performance thru the 5th inning, but walked Melky Cabrera on four pitches and Abreu lined a dinger over the scoreboard in right field for a 2-0 Sox lead.

The floodgates opened in the 9th inning as the Sox hit six singles, including a loud one by Dioner Navarro that was just a foot short of a home run, and plating four runs. A very satisfying ending to a great start in 2016.

Game Notes:

• Adam Eaton had his fourth straight multi-hit game going 2 for 5, finishing the series at a 9 for 16 clip. Not bad.
• Sox were 5 for 12 RISP. Previous three games they were a combined 5 for 16.