White Sox Fall To Angels, 4-1, Swept In Series

The Los Angeles Angels made the American League playoff race a bit more interesting on Sunday afternoon, as Mike Scioscia's team used a 4-1 victory in Game 3 to pull off a complete sweep of the Chicago White Sox.

Angels starter Jered Weaver tossed six and 1/3 innings of one-run ball to move to 19-4 on the season, while Chicago's Gavin Floyd dropped to 10-11 overall despite striking out eight Los Angeles batters. Things came apart for the right-handed Floyd in the sixth inning after a two-run double by Albert Pujols softened things up, and then a huge two-run homer from Kendrys Morales quickly broke things open.

Now ahead of Detroit by less than one game in the AL Central standings, the White Sox could enter the new week in a tie for first place if the Tigers are able to scrounge up a victory over Minnesota on Sunday evening. Despite the sweep however, the Angels remain 2.5 games out of the league's final wild card spot with nine games remaining on their schedule.

Head over to Halos Heaven for more Angels coverage, and be sure to visit South Side Sox for more on the White Sox.

This was originally posted on Baseball Nation.

White Sox Vs. Angels Preview: Gavin Floyd Takes The Mound As Division Race Tightens

The Chicago White Sox enter Sunday's contest with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim carrying only a half-game lead in the AL Central.

First pitch is at 2:35 p.m. CT at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

Gavin Floyd (4.50, 10-10) takes the mound for Chicago. Floyd was victorious over the Kansas City Royals in his last start, pitching seven innings while allowing only five hits and two runs. The start was only his second since coming off the disabled list.

For the Angels, Jered Weaver (18-4, 2.79) looks to build upon his already impressive Cy Young candidacy. Weaver has won two consecutive starts, including a scoreless seven-inning effort against the playoff hopeful Oakland Athletics on Sept. 13. Weaver's victory over the Texas Rangers in his last start was the 100th win of his career.

The White Sox have lost four straight games to diminish their lead in the AL Central. The Tigers play the Minnesota Twins at 12:05 p.m. CT.

For all the latest Chicago White Sox news, check out South Side Sox or visit SB Nation Chicago. For all news and information on the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven.

White Sox Vs. Angels: Chicago's AL Central Lead Slimmer After 4-2 Loss

After a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Saturday, the Chicago White Sox have now lost four straight games and lead the Detroit Tigers by only a half game in the AL Central standings.

The Angels scored all four of their runs in the first inning against starter Jose Quintana (6-5, 3.62 ERA), who took the loss after surrendering four earned runs in five innings. Albert Pujols hit a double in the first inning that scored Mike Trout, then Torii Hunter followed with an RBI-single and Mark Trumbo drove in two runs with a single.

The White Sox got on the board in the second on a home run by Paul Konerko, then scored in the seventh on an RBI-groundout by Dewayne Wise.

Dan Haren (12-11, 4.35 ERA) picked up a win, giving up two earned runs in six innings. Ernesto Frieri picked up his 20th save.

The Tigers, in second place in the AL Central, beat the Minnesota Twins Saturday. They play a double-header against the Twins on Sunday.

For all the latest Chicago White Sox news, check out South Side Sox or visit SB Nation Chicago. For all news and information on the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven.

White Sox Prospect Keenyn Walker Has Shoulder Surgery

Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Keenyn Walker had surgery Thursday on his left non-throwing shoulder, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Taken by the Sox with their top pick in the 2011 draft at No. 47 overall, Walker, 22, also had a small tear in his knee repaired. The switch-hitter is expected to be ready for spring ball.

Walker started the 2012 season with Low-A Kannapolis, where he hit .282/.395/.387 in 74 games, before earning a promotion to High-A Winston-Salem. The speedster saw his numbers drop a bit in the advanced league, and finished the season hitting a combined .267/.378/.379 with 22 doubles, four homers, 55 RBIs, 56 steals and 143 strikeouts.

Walker improved on his 2011 season, when he hit .257/.335/.320 while splitting time between rookie-level Great Falls and Kannapolis.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

White Sox Vs. Angels Preview: Chicago Looks To Rebound From 6-2 Loss Friday

The White Sox have lost three straight, including a 6-2 defeat at the hands of host Anaheim Friday night.

A big part of that loss and their losing streak, is their inability to drive in runners. Chicago (81-69) has left 28 men on base in the past four games, and is 3-for-30 with runners in scoring position over the same stretch.

With Detroit gaining ground on the AL Central-leading White Sox, they'll look to break out against Angels starter Dan Haren (11-11, 4.41 ERA) in the second of their three-game series in Anaheim.

Haren has won three of his last four decisions, not allowing more than three earned runs in any of those starts.

The White Sox will counter with rookie Jose Quintana (6-4, 3.69 ERA), who is making his first career start against the Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. CT at Angels Stadium of Anaheim.

For all the latest Chicago White Sox news, check out South Side Sox or visit SB Nation Chicago. For all news and information on the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven.

White Sox Vs. Angels Final Score: Ervin Santana Strikes Out 11 As Los Angeles Tops Chicago 6-2

Angels starter Ervin Santana struck out a career-high 11 batters and allowed just two hits over seven innings, as Anaheim defeated the visiting White Sox 6-2 Friday.

Detroit's game with Minnesota Friday was postponed, leaving the White Sox holding a 1.5 game lead over the Tigers in the AL Central race.

Chicago's recent offensive slump continued, as they've left 28 runners on base in their last four games. After sweeping the Twins in three games Sept. 14-16, and taking a make-up game over the Tigers as well as winning the first of a three-game set with Kansas City, the White Sox (81-69) have lost three straight.

Alejandro De Aza hit a solo home run in the first inning, but Chicago failed to score again until the 8th when Gordon Beckham singled, driving in Dayan Viciedo.

Jake Peavy (11-12) got the loss, fiving up five runs, all earned, in five innings.

For updates and perspective on the Chicago White Sox, head on over to South Side Sox or stop by SB Nation Chicago. For all news and information on the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven.

White Sox Vs. Angels Score Update: Chicago Falls Behind Early

This isn't quite how the Chicago White Sox wanted to start off their weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels. The White Sox find themselves down 5-1 after four 1/2 innings due to a combination of solid hitting from Los Angeles and Chicago's own dubious outfield play.

The White Sox got off to an early lead thanks to a lead-off homer by Alejandro De Aza, his second of the week. But Ervin Santana has held the White Sox quiet since then, and the rest of the team has pounded White Sox starter Jake Peavy. Kendrys Morales tied the game with a homer in the second, and the Angels scored two more runs in the third on an Albert Pujols single. Los Angeles went up 5-1 in the fourth on another two run single, this one from Torii Hunter.

The White Sox entered the game with a two-game lead on the Detroit Tigers for first place in the A.L. Central.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

White Sox Vs. Angels: Paul Konerko Will Likely DH Until Sunday

After Paul Konerko sat out the Chicago White Sox series finale against Kansas City on Thursday, he returns to the lineup for Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Konerko, however, will likely be the designated hitter until Sunday's game, and according to Comcast Sports Net Chicago, it's an injury to fellow first baseman/DH Adam Dunn that causes that lineup to make sense:

Ventura didn't have any issue with using Konerko as his designated hitter but sounded leery about putting him at first base on Saturday. However, Ventura also said part of his decision stems from the benefit Adam Dunn and his sore right oblique receive from playing in the field.

"It's just one of those you keep (Konerko) off the field," Ventura said. "It's double because Adam is probably a little better with his side to move around and Paulie is probably better to not be out there. We'll see how it goes out there today."

The White Sox enter their series with the Angels leading the Detroit Tigers by two games in the AL Central. Detroit's game Friday against the Minnesota Twins was rained out.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB Standings: White Sox Hold Tenuous Lead Over Tigers In AL Central Race

The Chicago White Sox have been working hard to hold off the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central race, and with just 13 games left in the regular season the Sox have a two-game lead in the division. Chicago will play three more opponents over four series (at Angels, vs. Indians, vs. Rays, at Indians), while Detroit will play two more opponents over their final four trips (vs. Twins, vs. Royals, at Twins, at Royals). Here is a look at the AL Central heading into the games on Friday, Sept. 21:

For a complete look at MLB standings, be sure to check out Sports Illustrated.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

White Sox P Jake Peavy Gets Head Start On Trip To Los Angeles

Chicago White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy (11-11, 3.26 ERA) is scheduled to start in the team's series opener against Ervin Santana (8-12, 5.08 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday, but Peavy got a head start heading out to California. With the White Sox making a late arrival on the west coast around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, Peavy elected to fly out earlier on Thursday to prepare for his big start, according to a report from Dan Hayes of CSN-Chicago.

As Hayes notes, the early flight also shielded Peavy for the distraction of talking about the news that Chicago is expected to decline Peavy's $22 million option for the 2013 season. Peavy has produced great numbers for the Sox in 2012, posting a 3.26 ERA and a 1.112 WHIP over 198.2 innings.

Here is the TV schedule and game time information for Friday's series opener:

Game Date & Time: Friday, Sept. 21, 9:05 p.m. CT

TV: WGN

Location: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, Ca.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox and Angels blog Halos Heaven. For more news from around baseball, check outBaseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

White Sox Vs. Angels Preview: Chicago Opens Weekend Series On Friday Night

The Chicago White Sox open a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday night.