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ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Chicago White Sox used a pair of seventh-inning homers to even the three-game series at a game apiece with a 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night before 34,677 at Rangers Ballpark.

How it happened: Conor Gillaspie launched a home run over the right-field wall an estimated 384 feet to snap a 2-2 tie leading off the seventh. Two outs later Alejandro De Aza lined a two-run shot into the seats near the right-field foul pole, at 353 feet. The White Sox have homered in 10 straight games. Alex Rios staked the White Sox to a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI single, scoring De Aza, who doubled to open the game. Paul Konerko opened the second with a double and, after a Gillaspie single, scored on Tyler Flowers’ double-play ball to make it 2-0. The Rangers tied it in the bottom of the second on a Jeff Baker home run and Ian Kinsler’s RBI single.

What it means: The White Sox ended a three-game losing streak with much improved play over the previous night’s 10-6 loss to Texas. For the second straight game, the White Sox couldn’t hold an early 2-0 lead. But Chris Sale kept middle-inning relief from becoming a factor by pitching seven innings. The bullpen, struggling with a 7.43 ERA in the last eight games, got the job done ... but not without an anxious moment or two. The first two Rangers that Jesse Crain faced in the eighth singled. But he worked out of trouble with final-out help from Matt Thornton. Addison Reed, who converted his 15th straight save, stirred the pot by hitting pinch hitter A.J. Pierzynski with two out in the ninth, followed by a single by Kinsler. But Reed ended it with a strikeout.

Outside the box: What is it about Sale and the American League West? With his win over the Rangers, Sale is now 8-0 against the West. He came into the game with an ERA of 3.18 in games against the West, with 69 strikeouts in 68 innings. Sale allowed only two Rangers to reach base in the final five innings of a strong seven-inning start. Once handed a three-run lead, Sale finished his night with a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh, striking out two and fanning Kinsler on his 110th pitch. Sale held the hot Texas bats to six hits while striking out seven.

Offbeat: The White Sox caught a break in the second inning, when Kinsler’s line drive off the left-field wall with the bases loaded scored only one Rangers run. Credit left fielder De Aza’s quick recovery. Also credit some questionable base running. Geovany Soto, at second base, didn’t appear to get a good read on the ball. Craig Gentry, the runner at first, ran up on Soto and was only a few feet behind when touching second. Soto had to stop at third. Sale made it an important play by retiring the next two hitters to prevent further damage and keep the score 2-2.

Up next: Right-hander Jake Peavy (3-1), coming off a solid performance in a winning effort over the Tampa Bay Rays, will be opposed by Justin Grimm (2-0) in the conclusion of the three-game series with Texas in a 7:05 p.m. start Thursday at Rangers Ballpark. The forecast calls for a game-time temperature of 50 degrees after a cold front passes.

CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field:

How it happened: The Twins scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by Alexei Ramirez in the 10th inning. After a weather-related cancellation on Friday, right-hander Jake Peavy and Twins starter Vance Worley kicked off the abbreviated two-game series. Alejandro De Aza led off the White Sox's first inning with his fourth home run of the season, his fifth career leadoff homer. Twins outfielder Josh Willingham singled home the tying run in the third inning, scoring Brian Dozier.

Peavy kept his streak of good pitching alive. In seven innings, he allowed just one run on six hits with nine strikeouts to lower his ERA to 3.20. Worley also went seven in a no-decision.

Two Web Gem-caliber plays by the Sox in the eighth inning preserved a tie. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie made a diving backhand stop of a bases-loaded one-hopper and forced Chris Parmelee out at home with a perfect throw from his knees. Paul Konerko had an over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory to end the inning.

What it means: Peavy entered the game having defeated Minnesota in four straight starts, carrying a 1.73 ERA throughout those outings. As a team, the White Sox came into the contest with a .177 batting average with runners in scoring position (lowest in the American League). They were 0-for-3 with men in scoring position on Saturday. Adam Dunn is in a 1-for-36 slump and struck out three times in four at-bats.

Outside the box: Outfielder Dayan Viciedo was placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained oblique. Outfielder Blake Tekotte was recalled from Triple-A. Pitching coach Don Cooper returned to the team after missing 10 days with diverticulitis. The Sox had won 12 of their previous 14 games against the Twins.

Up next: On Sunday, RHP Gavin Floyd (0-3, 6.32) faces off against LHP Scott Diamond (0-1, 8.31) in the finale of this two-game series.

CLEVELAND -- Home runs off the bats of Nick Swisher, Mark Reynolds and Yan Gomes paved the way as the Cleveland Indians topped the Chicago White Sox 9-4.

How it happened: White Sox starter Chris Sale lasted just 4 1/3 innings after allowing eight earned runs. Sale was provided two runs of support in the first, but a two-run home run from designated hitter Nick Swisher in the bottom of the first would quickly erase the early lead. The wheels would completely fall off for Sale in the fifth inning, as he loaded the bases on two base hits and a hit batter. A grand slam off of the bat of Indians’ first baseman Mark Reynolds and another hit batter would seal his fate. He struck out just three batters while walking two. Indians starting pitcher Zach McAllister dominated the White Sox through his 6 1/3 innings of work, striking out six and walking none while allowing one earned run. Alejandro De Aza took a full-count pitch from Tribe reliever Bryan Shaw 408 feet to right field for his second home run of the season.

What it means: The White Sox have now dropped their fifth straight game and will remain at the bottom of the AL Central. Manager Robin Ventura had recently praised his veteran position players for not panicking early in the season, but Chicago cannot seem to find an answer when it comes to consistent starting pitching. Left-hander Jose Quintana is the only pitcher to get out of the sixth inning in the team’s past four games.

Outside the box: The eight earned runs by Sale sets his career-worst mark (32 starts). He had allowed five runs in four different starts in 2012. It also marks an end to the dominant streak against the Indians. In his three previous starts, Sale had a record of 2-0, striking out 37 batters in just 34.1 innings of work. After allowing the grand slam to Reynolds, Sale hit Indians left fielder Michael Brantley with a pitch. He would receive a warning from home plate umpire Ed Hickox.

Offbeat: White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers went 0-for-4 on the afternoon, failing to get a ball out of the infield while striking out three times. He has not recorded a hit in his past 21 at-bats. Flowers undoubtedly has power; but his long swing, coupled with not playing every day, has led to little success through the early portion of the 2013 season.

Up next: The White Sox will look to avoid their second-consecutive sweep, closing out their three-game series against the Indians on Sunday afternoon at 12:05 CT. Jake Peavy (1-1, 5.56 ERA) will square off against former Chicago relief pitcher Brett Myers (0-1, 12.19 ERA).

WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals starter Dan Haren scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch and Ryan Zimmerman added a two-run double moments later as Washington completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 7-4 victory Thursday night.

How it happened: The Nationals kept getting key hits at the right time; the White Sox didn’t. Washington scored twice in the third for a 3-1 lead before Chicago’s Alejandro De Aza and Jeff Keppinger got back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth to tie the game. But Washington took over in the bottom half as Haren got a double and later scored on starter Dylan Axelrod's wild pitch to give the Nats a 4-3 lead. Zimmerman lined a two-run double to right later in the inning to go up 6-3. Adam Dunn collected an RBI double in the sixth for the Sox -- a ball that hit about halfway up the left-field wall, coming close to being a game-tying three-run homer.

What it means: It was a night of wasted chances. The White Sox finished with 13 hits, 10 of which came in the first five innings off Haren, who still got the win. Chicago missed on numerous scoring opportunities, finishing just 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. The White Sox also left 11 on base.

Outside the box: Hector Santiago made just his third appearance of the season but pitched well again. After Axelrod gave up six runs in 3⅔ innings, Santiago blanked the Nationals for 2⅓ innings. That not only kept the Sox in the game, but it extended his scoreless streak to 13⅓ innings dating back to Oct. 1.

Off beat: Numbers tell the story of Axelrod’s long night. He needed 103 pitches to get through 3⅔ innings, giving up six runs on seven hits and taking the loss. There were 40 pitches in the first inning alone, plus four walks. Along with a wild pitch that brought in the go-ahead run in the fourth. Some good news -- Axelrod got his first major league hit. First baseman Adam LaRoche tried to make a diving catch of the pitcher’s sacrifice bunt in fourth but couldn’t quite do it and nobody else could make a play.

Up next: After the interleague series in Washington, the White Sox return to American League competition Friday in Cleveland when Jose Quintana (0-0, 11.25 ERA) takes on Justin Masterson (2-0, 0.69) in the series opener.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox's first defeat of the season Thursday exposed some more early-season oddities.

In the 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals that prevented a three-game sweep, it was the bottom of the order that did all it could to get the White Sox on track to manufacturing runs instead of the team just powering its way to tally marks on the scoreboard.

No. 8 hitter Tyler Flowers reached base four times with two walks, a single and a pitch that grazed his jersey, while No. 9 hitter Gordon Beckham had four singles to match a career best for hits in a game.

Alejandro De Aza managed to drive in Flowers on one occasion with a single, but the early struggles at the top of the order continued and the White Sox were held in check by Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie and three relievers.

"It's odd you get that at the bottom of the order and you don't get much out of it," manager Robin Ventura said. "It's the pitching. Those (Royals pitchers) find a way to get out of it and that's the way it goes."

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Take a look around the Chicago White Sox outfield because it probably won't be the same after this season.

Fanned out from left to right will be Dayan Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios, back to take the field together on Opening Day for the second consecutive season.

But the winds of change already have started to blow. Jared Mitchell will start the season at Triple-A Charlotte but will be banging on the door soon enough with a major league debut that is expected to happen at some point this season.

Next on the way in the years to come are Keenyn Walker and Trayce Thompson, followed after that by what could be the most talented outfielder of them all. Courtney Hawkins is just 19, but oozes with talent.

Viciedo is primed to have that breakthrough season everybody has been waiting for and it could come in what figures to be his last season in left field. If Paul Konerko departs when his contract expires at the end of the season, Viciedo could end up moving to first base in 2014. It's at least an option for the White Sox.

De Aza could be in position to deliver more as well after finishing his first full season in the major leagues last year. His run with the World Baseball Classic champion Dominican Republic wasn't Earth-shattering by any stretch, but he already has been through high-pressure at-bats and the season hasn't even started yet.

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PHOENIX -- Alex Rios returned to the Chicago White Sox lineup on Thursday after spending three weeks with team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

The Sox right fielder will bat third in the lineup in 2013.

“I enjoyed the experience of the WBC,” Rios said Friday. “The one thing I missed was my spring training routine. I still have a few days to get my routine down. For me spring training is never too long. I use all the extra time to my advantage. The WBC schedule was terrible. Time was used in different ways.”

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Alejandro De Aza will return to the Chicago White Sox spring training complex in Arizona this week with his head held high and a noticeable spring in his step.

De Aza helped the Dominican Republic to the World Baseball Classic championship on Tuesday, scoring a run in his team’s 3-0 victory over Puerto Rico at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

On the other side of the same field, Alex Rios came so close to being a champion with Puerto Rico, but ultimately fell short. He also will return to camp with pride since Puerto Rico was not expected to advance as far as it did.

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If you had to pick between Alex Rios and Alejandro De Aza, who would you select?

Chicago White Sox fans without an affiliation to the two teams in Tuesday night’s World Baseball Classic championship game will get to choose between their team's outfielders. The final pits Rios’ Puerto Rico team against De Aza’s Dominican Republic club.

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With one swing of the bat Sunday, Alex Rios is no longer riding on the coattails of his Puerto Rico teammates.

The White Sox outfielder, who had been struggling during the first two rounds of the World Baseball Classic, helped put his Puerto Rico team into Tuesday’s championship game with a towering two-run home run.

Puerto Rico went on to a 3-1 victory over Japan on Sunday in the first semifinal game. The Netherlands will take on the Dominican Republic in the other semifinal Monday.

With Puerto Rico clinging to a precarious 1-0 lead in the seventh inning, Rios blasted his two-run shot deep into the seats in left field at San Francisco’s AT&T Park. He added a single one inning later.

"I'm just trying to keep it simple," Rios told the MLB Network immediately after the game. "At this time of the year you can't focus on mechanics or anything else. I'm just trying to have a better approach and forget about everything else."

Rios had just three singles in the team’s first seven games and did not have an RBI. He has managed to score seven runs, though, to lead the team.

The Puerto Rico victory means there will be a new WBC champion. Japan had won the event the first two times it was contested.

"This is unbelievable," Rios said. "Whenever you put your country's name on your chest, it's something we do with pride. We go out there and give everything we got. It feels like there is no description to it. We are so proud of what we have accomplished and let's see what happens."

If the Dominican Republic advances to the championship game, it will match White Sox outfielders against each other. Alejandro De Aza has four hits in 18 at-bats (.222) for the Dominican Republic with three RBIs, but has already has struck out six times.

With Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios still participating in the World Baseball Classic, the White Sox have yet to show a consistent lineup they might use when the regular season begins.

Aside from the question of where Jeff Keppinger hits in the lineup, manager Robin Ventura will still need to decide what he will do with the heart of the order.

The first Cactus League game of the spring, he used Rios in the No. 3 hole, while Adam Dunn was dropped to the fifth spot, a lineup location he was not used in at all last season.

Lately, though, Dunn has been stationed in the No. 4 and 5 spots, with him batting fourth Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians while Paul Konerko was in the five hole.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If there is something the Chicago White Sox don't have a shortage of it is up-and-coming outfielders looking to get noticed.

Turns out there will be plenty of chances for those young players to show what they are capable of doing.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Chicago White Sox are so eager to get going this season that nearly everybody has been at camp in advance of Sunday’s first full-squad workout.

The turnout has been so impressive that only three players have yet to check in: Alejandro De Aza, Alexei Ramirez and Tyler Saladino, a non-roster invitee who was third in walks (75) and steals (38) in the Double-A Southern League last season.

“Everyone is scheduled to be here,” manager Robin Ventura said Saturday. “I hope they all make it and are ready to go. Nobody has been put on anything (medically) to keep them away. There are some guys we’re watching but they’re not going to do anything more than we’re asking.”

Guys on easier early schedules are John Danks, Chris Sale and Matt Thornton. Danks is coming off of shoulder surgery, while the club wants to start Sale and Thornton with a lighter load. The team will also keep a close watch on Brent Morel, who is coming off back issues last season.

“It’s nice,” Ventura said of all the early arrivals. “I don’t really remember this many guys showing up (early). They’re excited to be here and just get going. Today is one of those days where we had the hitters hitting off the pitchers for the first time so it’s nice and exciting. (Sunday) will be great just to get everyone in and on a regular schedule.”

Doug Padilla previews the White Sox by position in the days leading up to pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training on Tuesday.

Those loud footsteps you can hear are coming from a whole new generation of young outfielders ready to break through for the Chicago White Sox.

While the White Sox are set with an outfield of Dayan Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios in 2012, a number of talented options could give the club a whole new look as early as the 2014 season, although 2015 seems more realistic.

Jared Mitchell, the first-round pick from 2009 could be the first to break through, but it's Courtney Hawkins and Trayce Thompson who actually rank first and second, respectively in Baseball America's list of the club's top prospects. Then there is Keenyn Walker, the club's first overall selection in the 2011 draft. Hawkins, Thompson and Walker are all a few years away from getting to Chicago.

The White Sox's outfield in 2012 was solid, not spectacular, with plenty of room for improvement. Viciedo is expected to deliver more with the hope that De Aza knows what it takes to avoid inconsistencies now that he has his first full season under his belt.

LEFT FIELD: After originally moving to right field for the 2011 season, there is a good chance this year will mark Viciedo's last in the outfield. The White Sox will need to clear room for their emerging youngsters and Viciedo could wind up being the long-term replacement for Paul Konerko at first base. Konerko will be in the last year of his current contract. Viciedo was 36th in the American League in slugging percentage last season at .444, a number that is expected to improve. The departed A.J. Pierzynski posted a .501 slugging percentage so somebody will have to pick up the slack in that area.

CENTER FIELD: De Aza was solid in his first full season, making things click from the leadoff spot. Of players with at least 200 plate appearances at the top of the order, De Aza had the 12th-best on-base percentage at .349. And among that group, his 26 steals were sixth best. Most glaring, though, was his July swoon when he batted .242 with a .294 on-base percentage. His 80 runs scored from the leadoff spot don't sound terribly impressive, but only six other leadoff men had more. By replacing Alex Rios in center field, De Aza helped the White Sox defense make considerable improvement. De Aza is one of only two left-handed bats in the starting lineup, along with Adam Dunn.

RIGHT FIELD: Moving to a corner outfield spot seemed to simplify things on defense for Rios. Most notably, though, was the return of his offensive production. Rios not only delivered a .304 batting average, his .850 OPS was his best since his 2007 season as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. The key this season will be avoiding the Bad Rios-Good Rios cycle that has followed him in recent years. With another productive season at the plate this year, he can break the pattern.

IN THE MIX: Dewayne Wise and Jordan Danks are in line to be the fourth and fifth outfielders, respectively. The left-handed hitters will give manager Robin Ventura some lineup versatility when they give Viciedo or Rios a rest. Mitchell is expected to start the season at Triple-A Charlotte, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him in a White Sox uniform at some point in the second half.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox reached deals with Gordon Beckham and Alejandro De Aza, signing both Friday to one-year deals for the 2013 season.

Both players had filed for salary arbitration and will each see a significant raise on their salaries from a year ago. Beckham will make $2.925 million for the upcoming season after making $520,000 in 2012. De Aza will see his salary increase to $2.075 million from $495,000 last year.

Beckham, 26, batted just .234 last season with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs, although his defense has been much improved with a .9899 fielding percentage that was second among second baseman in franchise history to Nellie Fox's .9901 mark in 1962.

De Aza, 28, batted .281 with 50 RBIs, 81 runs scored and 26 steals last season. In his first full season with the White Sox he hit four leadoff home runs, the fifth-most in franchise history and the most since Ray Durham hit a team-record six in 2001.