Miguel Vargas displayed two aggressive hustle doubles, including one that sent his helmet flying as he rounded first base. The White Sox remain mired near the bottom of the division and face the prospect of another 100-loss season. Vargas has become the club's most consistent first baseman, hitting .235/.317/.401 with 13 home runs and a team-high 30 doubles, and he has hit .299/.384/.474 in the second half. Manager Will Venable credits Vargas with vocal leadership and energy that sets the tone, raises standards, and helps progress the clubhouse.
Miguel Vargas' helmet flew off as he rounded first base in an all-out sprint to stretch his liner to center into a double Monday against the Royals. The were up 6-0 in the fifth inning on a sparsely attended night at Rate Field in the waning days of August, which likely have the Sox en route to another last-place finish in the division, and potentially a third straight 100-loss season.
But it's a competitive edge the Sox have shown more frequently with the catalyst Vargas near the top of the Sox' batting order and at both corner infield spots. "That's the kind of leadership Vargie has for us," manager Will Venable said. "These moments where you get to set the tone for the group. He's excited to have those opportunities to do that for the club. That's what progresses your group and raises the bar and the standard for your group."
Vargas, who has emerged as the Sox' most consistent first baseman, is hitting .235/.317/.401on the year with 13 home runs and a team-leading 30 doubles. He turned a smooth 3-6-3 double play in the Sox' 5-4 loss to the Royals Tuesday, as the Sox' bullpen blew seven innings of one-hit ball from starter Martin Perez. Vargas went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, while Colson Montgomery hit his 14th home run of the season and Luis Robert Jr. left the game with hamstring soreness.
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