Second baseman Chase Meidroth\u2019s hitting and on-base streaks ended when the White Sox mustered only one hit Saturday against the Dodgers. He started another one of each Sunday, first by getting hit by a pitch, then by hitting an opposite-field home run.<\/p>\n
The blast was an indication of the big step Meidroth has taken this season, hitting coach Derek Shomon said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018He\u2019s opened up a little bit more slug this year,\u2019\u2019 Shomon said. \u2018\u2018A lot of the conversations revolve around approach and plan. He\u2019s just becoming a more mature hitter at the major-league level.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
After slugging .320 last season, Meidroth is up to .402, and his six homers already are more than the five he hit last season. But he\u2019s still hitting for contact and getting on base, as evidenced by his just-ended 12-game hitting streak and 22-game on-base streak.<\/p>\n
Shomon has been telling hitters to jump on pitches they think they can drive. If that leads to some whiffs, so be it. Meidroth has bought in.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It\u2019s just knowing when to take your shots,\u2019\u2019 Shomon said. \u2018\u2018Understanding what they\u2019re trying to do to you just to give you a little bit more of an educated guess on when you should take that shot. He\u2019s been great.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
That has helped make Meidroth a smarter hitter.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The more you have a level of awareness that you understand what\u2019s going on, you start asking better questions and you start preparing better,\u2019\u2019 Shomon said. \u2018\u2018And I think a lot of that, outside of the physical stuff, outside of the swing, that\u2019s been a big part for him.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018He\u2019s the best,\u2019\u2019 Meidroth said of Shomon. \u2018\u2018What he brings for our offense every day, it\u2019s second to none. He understands how hard this game is. The confidence he instills in us every day is awesome. He lets us be free and be ourselves every day.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Before the last game of the day Sunday, Meidroth ranked third among qualified American League second basemen in homers, slugging percentage and OPS (.753).<\/p>\n
Quero\u2019s silver linings<\/p>\n
Edgar Quero began the season as the Sox\u2019 regular catcher, but a slow start put him in a timeshare when the team called up Drew Romo on April 25. His memorable game against the Cubs aside (3-for-5, walk-off two-run homer), Quero\u2019s slow start has reached midseason, and he\u2019s at risk of losing his spot to Kyle Teel, who\u2019s nearing a rehab assignment after recovering from a knee injury.<\/p>\n
But Shomon maintains Quero, who\u2019s batting .180, is in a good spot mentally.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018He\u2019s had good at-bats,\u2019\u2019 Shomon said. \u2018\u2018He\u2019s been on the barrel several times, maybe with nothing to show for it. On our end, it\u2019s just, \u2018Stay in it. It sucks right now, but stay in the fight. The work\u2019s been good. And you\u2019re certainly in a better spot than you were earlier in the year.\u2019\u2009\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Romo has slowed since his fast start \u2014 he\u2019s hitting .157 \u2014 and is equally at risk.<\/p>\n
Notes<\/p>\n
The crowd of 38,547 at Rate Field was the Sox\u2019 sixth sellout of the season and their highest attendance in a game not involving the Cubs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Teel and left-hander Noah Schultz, both of whom are out with knee injuries, are leaving Monday to begin rehab assignments at Triple-A Charlotte.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Sox promoted infielder Caleb Bonemer, their No. 1-ranked prospect by MLB.com, to Double-A Birmingham.<\/p>\n