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Doug Padilla recaps the White Sox and looks at what changes might be in store for 2014.

A group that played defense as well as anybody in 2012 was nowhere near that good just one year later. Kevin Youkilis came to the White Sox during the 2012 season and settled the left side of the infield. This year, Jeff Keppinger was unable to take control of the third-base spot, while Conor Gillaspie showed flashes of solid defense early but wasn't able to maintain it. On the right side, Gordon Beckham and Paul Konerko both spent lengthy stays on the disabled list with injuries.

The good: When he was healthy, Beckham showed that he could be ready to be much more consistent at the plate, but that star potential that was being talked about when he broke into the league no longer is mentioned. When Gillaspie was acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants in spring training, he looked like a solid left-handed bat off the bench. He showed that if he continues to develop he can be much more than that. He admitted early that defense has never been his strength, but showed enough solid plays to make it clear that he should get better in that area. Nobody was touting Joe Crede as a solid defender either and he developed into a steady, if not spectactular, fielder.

The bad: It was obvious to see the defensive miscues on the infield that spelled doom for the White Sox, like Alexei Ramirez's 22 errors, which led all American League shortstops. The real issue is that nobody on the infield rose to the occasion offensively. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn started all but 16 games at first base and yet White Sox first basemen finished ninth in the American League in home runs with 23 and 12th in RBIs with 77. Their 62 runs scored were 13th. At second base, the White Sox had a .306 on-base percentage, 11th in the AL, while at shortstop (essentially Ramirez), they were 12th in RBIs with 51. The biggest trouble spot was at third base where the 60 runs scored were 13th in the AL and the .287 on-base percentage was 12th. The White Sox only had 15 home runs from their third basemen, but four teams (Royals, Twins, Yankees and Angels) were actually worse.

Who's next: Marcus Semien was impressive as a September call-up and could push Gillaspie for playing time at third base next season. Keppinger is expected to revert back to his expected role of utility man. Could the White Sox be interested in trading Beckham this offseason? And if they do, what could they get in return for him? Semien, a natural shortstop, also has a little second base on his resume, while Keppinger can play there as well. If the free agent Konerko doesn't return, Dunn is expected to take over at first base full time.

2014 outlook: It doesn't seem like it can get any worse for the White Sox, but that's not just the story of the infield, that pertains to the entire roster. More is needed from Ramirez offensively and defensively. Early in his career, Ramirez was pushing his way into Gold Glove talk. At this point, the White Sox would be satisfied if he simply got his defense back to the middle of the pack.

CHICAGO -- The White Sox snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the next-to-last game of the season.


How it happened: The White Sox flexed their muscles Saturday to get the jump on the Royals. Marcus Semien and Jordan Danks hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning and Adam Dunn hit a two-run shot in the third. The Royals rallied for three runs off White Sox rookie pitcher Erik Johnson, but the power returned in the seventh inning when Conor Gillaspie hit a two-run shot. Addison Reed recorded his 40th save, tying Bobby Jenks for fourth place on the White Sox's single-season list.

What it means: The victory guarantees the White Sox won’t lose 100 games this season. Manager Robin Ventura at least sounded indifferent about avoiding the century mark. “Nobody wants that, 100 losses,” he said. “It doesn’t feel good. But it’s not going to make me feel any better to have 99 instead of 100 going into next year.”

Outside the box: The sample size is extremely small, but Johnson continues to show reasons to be optimistic about him heading into next season. He held the Royals hitless Saturday until Mike Moustakas hit a fifth-inning home run. He was eventually knocked from the game an inning later. Saturday’s outing comes on the heels of his start last weekend at Detroit, when he gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings. One outing before that he pitched a scoreless six innings against the Twins.

Off beat: Avoiding a 100-loss season might not have made Ventura feel good, but it certainly seemed to affect his decision-making Saturday. Ventura went to six different relievers to back up Johnson, managing like his team was in contention instead of just playing out the string.

Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander Jose Quintana (9-6, 3.45 ERA) to the mound in the final game of the season. The Royals will counter with left-hander Bruce Chen (8-4, 3.31) in the 1:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO -- Here is a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday at U.S. Cellular Field:

How it happened: Catcher Bryan Anderson threw away a bunt allowing the Royals to score what proved to be the winning run in the seventh inning. Kansas City's other runs came on David Hough's two-run homer in the fourth. The Sox scored their runs on solo home runs by Paul Konerko in the second and Adam Dunn in the sixth. Dunn's homer was his 33rd of the season and was estimated to travel 442 feet.

What it means: The Royals' 84 wins are the most by the franchise since 1993. Regardless of the outcome of the next three games, the White Sox will finish under.500 at home for only the fourth time since they began playing at U.S Cellular field in 1991. The other sub-.500 years were 1999, 2007 and 2011.

Outside the box: The Sox have made 51 more errors this season than they did in 2012. Konerko will hold a news conference to take questions about his future on Friday afternoon. A source said Monday that Konerko would not make up his mind about whether to retire or keep playing until November. General manager Rick Hahn will also give his state of the team address Friday.

Up next: Kansas City sends James Shields (12-9, 3.21 ERA) to the mound to face the White Sox's Chris Sale (11-13, 2.97 ERA) in Friday's 7:10 p.m. CT start.

Home at U.S. Cellular Field, the Chicago White Sox were hoping to break a horrendous slump that had them reeling in a six-game losing skid.

How it happened: Rookie Erik Johnson was making his third major league start. RHP Liam Hendricks was on the hill for the Minnesota Twins. Hendricks was in a purple haze, allowing seven runs and five hits while walking four in the two-thirds of an inning he lasted. Chicago sent 12 men to the plate scoring seven runs in the first inning. Alexei Ramirez drove in two with a base hit. Adam Dunn (32) and Dayan Viciedo (13) hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning. Jordan Danks hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Ramirez hit a solo home run in the seventh.

What it means: Johnson won his first major league game, shutting out the Twins for six innings. The seven runs in the first inning tied a season high for Chicago, also accomplished against the Detroit Tigers on July 9 in the eighth inning. Chicago had lost 15 of their previous 17 contests, entering play with the third worst record in baseball. Ramirez tied his career high with four hits.

Outside of the box: Gordon Beckham broke out of a 0-15 slump with an RBI single in the first inning, appropriately enough on his 26th birthday. … OF Avisail Garcia and his wife, Anakarina, welcomed daughter Annarella into the world on Sunday. Garcia will return to the team on Tuesday after missing two games. … The Sox announced a total of 960 dogs in attendance for their annual dog day promotion. … The Sox totaled 12 runs total in the previous seven games on this homestand.

Up next: Game 2 of the series will be at 7:10 p.m. CT, featuring LHP Jose Quintana (7-6,.3.56) facing RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-12,5.31).

CHICAGO -- When Adam Dunn made the commitment to come to Chicago and play for the White Sox, the assumption was he would contend for the playoffs that have always eluded him.

Signing a four-year, $56 million contract seemed just the right fit for Dunn and the White Sox, who were desperate for left-handed power.

Three years down the line, the result of his time on the South Side is up for debate.

Dunn has come close to or surpassed his career power statistics and walk totals (with the exception of his out-of-character disaster of 2011 -- .156/11/44).

Dunn characterized his three seasons with Chicago.

“The first thing that comes to mind is disappointing,” he said. “The way that I have done personally and more importantly the way we have finished last three years now. Most of that is on me.”

Dunn may be right about his 2011 season. However, the past two years he has enjoyed his usual power totals.

“I take a lot of pride in getting things done,” Dunn said. “The last three years have been frustrating and very tough. I am capable of doing more and I have had opportunities to do more. I feel I personally have not been able to get over the hump.

“Even when I have done well offensively, something weird has happened and set me back a couple of weeks.”

The endless losing of 2013 has replaced the nosedive of 2012 -- when the White Sox blew a three-game lead with three weeks left in the season -- as a focal point for frustration.

“When you are in a situation like we are in, all you can do is forget what happened the night before, good or bad, and move on,” Dunn said. “The good news is that baseball doesn’t define me as a person.

“I would rather have someone refer to me as a good person, good teammate, than a good baseball player. If you are able to do both then you can say you have had a pretty successful run.”

Dunn does not know how much longer he will play after his White Sox contract expires following the 2014 season. He is, however, tired of stories that insist he is going to quit baseball.

“I have honestly not thought about it, but I do know what I will do when baseball stops being fun. I have said that before, but somehow that gets turned around into I am retiring. As long as the competitive juices are still flowing, I will play as long as I can.”

Individual statistics do not drive Dunn, who is 63 home runs shy of 500 career homers.

“Bottom line is that numbers do matter; the ones that count are wins,” he said. “Those totals are what we concentrate on.”

CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox designated hitter/first baseman Adam Dunn reiterated Monday he isn’t about to retire, despite recent speculation on the subject.

Confusion arose last week following a story that addressed one of Dunn’s common themes: If he isn’t having fun playing baseball, he will walk away. The headline suggested the team’s poor season might drive Dunn to retirement.

Dunn was asked about retirement again on Monday.

“I never said [retirement],” said Dunn, who is scheduled to make $15 million next season in the final year of his four-year, $56 million White Sox contract. “The day that I’m not having fun, the day that I walk into a locker room and it’s tough for me to show up or the competition juices aren’t flowing, I’m leaving. I’m going home.

“For some reason, people take that as I’m retiring. Is this year hard? Yeah, it’s hard. Has it been one of the harder ones? Yeah, because the expectations that we had in this locker room were so high. To play like we are playing, it’s a huge letdown. I don’t know where that comes into that I’m retiring.”

The White Sox entered play on Monday with a 57-85 record.

“I’m still here,” said Dunn, who had 32 home runs and 82 RBIs with a .445 slugging percentage. “That ought to tell you that [the competition juices] are still firing away.”

CHICAGO -- A former backup quarterback in the University of Texas football program, Chicago White Sox slugger Adam Dunn is excited for the upcoming college football season, but not so thrilled that Johnny Manziel of rival Texas A&M will be facing only a half-game suspension.

Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman last season, had been under investigation by the NCAA for accepting money for autographs. The NCAA announced it could find no evidence of wrongdoing and the half-game suspension was for violation of a lesser rule.

Manziel will miss the first half of Texas A&M's opener Saturday against Rice.

"I saw that," Dunn said. "I don't know. I sure hope Rice scores a whole bunch that first half."

Dunn redshirted in his only season in the football program at Texas in 1998, and a year later announced his intention to play baseball full time. At the time Dunn played football, Major Applewhite was the Longhorns' starting QB and Chris Simms was a year away from playing as well.

Dunn, who still keeps a football in his locker, gave his pick for a national champion this season.

"I like Clemson," Dunn said. "People will probably look at me like I'm crazy, but I think Clemson's got a really good team. They obviously play Georgia on Saturday, but if they can get past that, I think they've got a pretty good chance."

CHICAGO -– If Paul Konerko leaves the Chicago White Sox when his contract expires at the end of the season, Adam Dunn said he is more than ready to take over at first base.

“I like playing and I like being out there, but I know what I signed up for and I don’t mind designated hitting either,” Dunn said. “I think I have gotten used to it and have a pretty good routine going. But I do like being out there and I like running around.”

Dunn has actually played the bulk of games at first base this season. He has made 68 starts at first base this year, while Konerko was making his 53rd start in the field Wednesday. The only other player to start at first base this season has been Jeff Keppinger (11).

Dunn, whose contract runs through the 2014 season, makes the most sense at first base, but the White Sox have not ruled out the possibility that Dayan Viciedo returns to the infield at some point. He could ultimately end up as the first baseman, although his ability to play defense will weigh heavily on that plan.

The best minor league option at first base is Andy Wilkins, a left-handed hitter, who was drafted in the fifth round in 2010. The 25-year-old, who was promoted to Triple-A Charlotte during the season, has a combined 17 home runs with 76 RBIs this season. He has a .278 batting average with a .793 OPS.

Neither Viciedo nor Wilkins seem to be a better option than Dunn next season.

“I’ll do whatever they want me to do,” Dunn said. “I’ll play anywhere and do whatever they want. If you’re asking me if I’ll be ready, yeah, I’ll be ready.”

CHICAGO -- Winners of four consecutive series, the Chicago White Sox stumbled 10-8 on Monday in the opener of a three-game set against the Houston Astros.

How it happened: Matt Dominguez hit a ninth-inning home run off Addison Reed to put the Astros ahead, and Chris Carter followed with his own dinger for some insurance. The White Sox loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, before Avisail Garcia struck out looking to end it. Carter hit two homers and had four RBIs on the night. The White Sox took the lead with a five-run sixth inning, but Carter tied it in the seventh on an RBI single. Andre Rienzo had the worst start of his young career, giving up seven runs on nine hits in six innings. Rienzo walked three and gave up three home runs in just his sixth start since being called up July 30.

What it means: In what was no doubt the sloppiest White Sox game of the season, the contest was littered with miscues on both sides. The Astros showed their inexperience in a number of ways, from Jonathan Villar getting picked off first base to L.J. Hoes dropping a fly ball on the warning track to David Martinez’s balk with a runner on third to tie the score 7-7. But the White Sox had plenty of their own issues that included Alejandro De Aza getting caught off third base on a comebacker; Garcia overrunning a ball in right to allow two runs to score; two wild pitches from Renzo that led to runs; and a misplay from De Aza in center.

Outside the box: Adam Dunn connected on his 30th home run of the season, the ninth time in his career that he has hit the 30-homer mark. Dunn also became the first White Sox left-handed hitter to record consecutive 30-homer seasons since Jim Thome did it three years in a row, from 2006 to 2008.

Offbeat: The White Sox were actually a major league best 8-1 since Aug. 16 before they were knocked off Monday by the worst team in league standings. The White Sox’s better play of late has included series victories over the first-place teams Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers. Against the lowly Astros, though, the White Sox are 1-4, losing three of four games at Houston in June.

Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander Jose Quintana (7-4, 3.67 ERA) to the mound Tuesday in the middle game of the series. The Astros are undecided for a starter in the 7:10 p.m. CT start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO -- When Ken Williams took over as general manager of the Chicago White Sox in 2001, he believed the way to win in a ballpark that played small was to hit home runs and outpitch other clubs. If that equation is still true, then a good portion of the team’s offensive woes can be blamed on a lack of the long ball. Projecting the current numbers, the entire starting lineup will be collectively down nearly 80 home runs at the end of the season compared with its 2012 total.

During the White Sox's recent surge in the win column, the home run ball has been a part of the process. Chicago has won eight of its past nine games, while hitting 11 long balls.

"The home runs come from us collectively having better at-bats," hitting coach Jeff Manto said. "When people seize the opportunity to get better at-bats, you will see us hit more home runs."

The Sox lost 43 home runs combined with the free-agent signings of Kevin Youkilis and A.J. Pierzynski elsewhere. The only two players who will come close to their career home run averages are Alejandro De Aza and Adam Dunn.

"I don’t think there is any team that doesn’t like [home runs]," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "We haven’t hit that many early in the year. Earlier, when we did hit them, they were not at the right time. Lately, they have been coming at important times. [Dayan] Viciedo, Dunn and [Jordan] Danks have had big homers for us lately."

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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox's 5-2 victory Sunday finished off the series triumph over the Texas Rangers.

How it happened: John Danks held the Rangers to two runs over six innings while Jordan Danks hit a home run. Josh Phegley also went deep one day after his game-ending single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Adam Dunn had an RBI single and the White Sox scored twice more in the third inning when Rangers center fielder Craig Gentry had a Gordon Beckham line drive hit off his glove for an error. The White Sox overcame Alexei Ramirez's 21st error of the season. Addison Reed closed out the ninth inning for his 35th save.

What it means: Make that four consecutive series victories for the White Sox, two of which came against first-place teams. The White Sox won two of three from the Tigers at home (Aug. 12-14), then went on the road to win series at Minnesota and Kansas City. The Rangers are the leaders in the AL West. Going back to the start of the last homestand when they faced the Yankees, the White Sox have won five of their last six series. The only series they lost was at home against the Twins (Aug. 9-11). With the non-waiver trade deadline now in the rear-view mirror, the White Sox are 14-6 since Aug. 5.

Outside the box: According to Elias, Jordan Danks' home run with John Danks pitching was the first time a brother had hit a home run in support of his brother since 1955. The Kansas City A's Billy Schantz was the last to do it in support of brother Bobby. Jordan Danks entered the game in the top of the fourth inning and hit his home run a half inning later.

Off beat: Bench coach Mark Parent was gone before the first pitch as he was ejected during the pregame lineup card exchange. Avisail Garcia made it to the fourth inning before he left the game after crashing into the right-field fence. Garcia appeared groggy as he walked off the field.

Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Andre Rienzo (1-0, 3.56 ERA) to the mound Monday against Houston in the opener of a three-game series. The Astros will counter with left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (3-1, 2.91) in the 7:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox evened the series against the first-place Texas Rangers with a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

How it happened: Josh Phegley delivered a game-ending single in the bottom of the ninth, the first game-ending hit of his career. It was the eighth game-ending hit by the White Sox this season. The teams traded home runs in the sixth inning, with former White Sox outfielder Alex Rios hitting a two-run shot and Adam Dunn matching that. Former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski singled in front of Rios' home run. Chicago starter Hector Santiago dueled Rangers starter Yu Darvish to a draw.

What it means: Santiago continues to impress in a starting role, giving up two runs to the Rangers in 6 1/3 innings, a day after staff ace Chris Sale was crushed for eight runs in his outing. The left-hander has lost just twice after June 16, although he also has seven no-decisions. He has given up a combined four earned runs over his past three outings, starting against the Tigers and at Minnesota before facing the Rangers on Saturday.

Outside the box: Dunn moved within one of reaching the 30-homer mark for the ninth time in his career and second with the White Sox. He hit 41 last season. His opposite-field drive off Darvish on Saturday moved him into sole possession of 41st place all time with 435, one ahead of Andruw Jones and Juan Gonzalez. Dunn is now two home runs shy of matching Jason Giambi for 40th place all time.

Off beat: Pierzynski was hit by one of his old teammates again. Santiago drilled him in the back with a 90 mph fastball. Pierzynski made a non-threatening gesture at Santiago before running to first base, where he looked to be laughing about it with Paul Konerko. Earlier this season at Texas, Addison Reed hit Pierzynski with a pitch.

Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander John Danks (3-10, 4.22 ERA) to the mound Sunday in the finale of the three-game series. The Rangers will counter with right-hander Matt Garza (3-1, 4.32) in the 1:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox fell 5-2 to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday to drop to 3-9 against their American League Central rival this season.

How it happened: White Sox starter Jose Quintana was cruising right along until he was run off the road in the fifth inning by a three-run home run from Brian Dozier and a two-run shot by Joe Mauer. The White Sox’s offense was held in check by Twins starter Kevin Correia, who gave up just five hits in seven innings. Adam Dunn ended the shutout bid in the ninth inning with his 27th home run and 14th long ball over his last 55 games. Conor Gillaspie added another home run in the ninth inning, his 10th.

What it means: Quintana moved past the 140-inning mark for the first time as a major leaguer. The left-hander had 136 1/3 major league innings in his debut as a starter last season. He is now at 143 1/3 with his five innings Sunday. Quintana had been rolling along of late, allowing just four earned runs combined in his last four home starts, but the Twins topped that in one inning with their five-run fifth.

Outside the box: Going back to Tuesday’s game against the New York Yankees, White Sox pitchers had struck out 10 or more batters in five consecutive games. That streak came to a halt when nine Twins struck out Sunday. The 10 strikeouts in five consecutive games was the White Sox’s longest such streak since they ended the 2011 season on a similar five-game streak.

Off beat: Paul Konerko is chasing one stationary target and one moving target on the all-time home run list. The White Sox captain is one home run away from moving into a tie for 43rd place all time at 432 career home runs with Cal Ripken Jr. Teammate Adam Dunn moved out of a tie with Ripken on Sunday with his 433rd home run. Konerko is also 24 home runs behind Frank Thomas for the most in White Sox history.

Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander Chris Sale (7-11, 2.77 ERA) to the mound Monday against Detroit in the opener of a three-game series. The Tigers will counter with right-hander Doug Fister (10-5, 3.50) in the 7:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO -- Once the word was out that Adam Dunn had cleared waivers, many people -- including some in the Chicago White Sox clubhouse -- were hoping he would get an opportunity to play for a contender. The affable gentle giant has played more than 12 seasons in the major leagues but has not had a chance to play in the postseason.

"I am here and I don’t think about anything but today," said Dunn, who has one year remaining on the four-year, $56 million contract he signed before the 2011 season. "I definitely don’t have any control over it [a trade], so I don’t think about it or worry about it."

Watching veteran teammates get traded has been difficult for all the remaining White Sox players. Dunn, like those still in Chicago uniforms, must continue his pursuit of getting better while former comrades in arms get to play for a championship in 2013.

"That is essentially what you play this game for," he said. "You play for a chance to win a ring. The only way that you can win a ring is to get into the postseason. That is what everybody who plays wants; I haven’t been able to get there yet. Before my career is over, that would be a definite must for me."

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CHICAGO -- Two late-innings rallies were as surprising to the Chicago White Sox as they were to Marino Rivera and the New York Yankees.

Adam Dunn's two-out, two-strike single in the ninth inning tied the score at 4-4 as Gordon Beckham scored the tying run in what turned out to be a 6-5 win for the White Sox.

"I won't say tonight's game was the biggest win of the year, but I will say for sure it was the most fun," said Dunn, who came off of the bench as a pinch hitter. "The way we did it, coming back from 4-0 was amazing fun."

The walk-off two-run triple by Alejandro De Aza was the icing on the cake in the 12-inning White Sox shocker.

"My game plan against Rivera was to look for something to drive early," Dunn said. "His ball moves so much that he doesn't have to strike you out. He has been great for all these years making guys miss hitting it on the barrel. Hey, the guy came back and threw a second inning, keeping them in the game."

The White Sox swept the series here in Chicago as well as the series in New York. It is the first time in 100 years the Yankees have lost every game of back-to-back series of at least three games to the Sox.

"This has been a very fun series and more how we expect to play," Dunn said. "We won by playing good baseball, especially around all the hoopla. I don't know if that helped us or not, but we went out and played good, clean baseball games."

De Aza was the man in the 12th with the winning hit.

"I was just trying to hit the ball hard," DeAza said. "I just wanted to swing hard to make sure something happened if I hit it."

In the three-game series, the Yankees were just 3-for-33 with men in scoring position and left 30 men on base.