Vaughn, White Sox bats feed off Lynn's energy

CHICAGO -- White Sox right-hander Lance Lynn pitches with attitude.

Even in only his second start of the season after coming back from preseason right knee surgery. Even when the veteran allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings during Chicago's 8-7 victory over Toronto on Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

And the White Sox in general seem to feed off Lynn’s demonstrative demeanor.

“We do, big time. It’s huge” said designated hitter Andrew Vaughn, who matched a career high with four hits. “That energy, emotion, that drive is going to push everybody and lift everybody up. That’s Papa. He’s been around the game for so long. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. He’s a competitor. He’s out on the mound doing his thing, throwing it. Same person every day.”

The White Sox offense played with its own attitude Monday, and it’s starting to look the same every day, which is now a good thing. The lineup knocked 13 hits -- including home runs from Vaughn, Josh Harrison and Luis Robert -- as the team is hitting .305 over its past 14 games, with 30 doubles, four triples, 13 homers, 85 RBIs and 91 runs scored.

Vaughn fell a triple short of the cycle, having never produced a three-base hit as part of his young Major League career. He settled for eight total bases and a pair of RBIs.

“And we won. That’s all that matters,” said a smiling Vaughn, who is hitting .330. “You always think about it. I was just playing baseball. Taking it at-bat by at-bat.”

“He can’t be beat,” White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said of Vaughn. “He’s unstoppable. As long as he stays in that mind frame, he’s going to be great. Just keep swinging it, for sure.”

Anderson was activated from the injured list prior to the White Sox first win over the Blue Jays in four games this season, having been sidelined since May 29 with a strained right groin. When he singled to right and then scored on Vaughn’s double off José Berríos in the first, it was as if Anderson never left.

Chicago manager Tony La Russa reiterated a point about Anderson being as good as any shortstop in the game.

“Anybody. You pick the best, Tim Anderson is as good as them,” La Russa said. “That’s respect to the several great ones around, but they’re not any better than Tim Anderson.”

“I got in early and did some work,” Anderson said. “Got my at-bats when I got down there, and it felt good. I also did my homework, so I kind of knew what he was going to do to me. And I was ready to attack.”

It isn’t so much pure attitude brought by Anderson to the field, as much as it’s a fun energy the team sorely missed. And while the White Sox (32-33) have won five of their past seven games and are slowly getting healthier, they are also getting production from players who never left but weren’t playing quite at their usual level.

Take Harrison as an example. His first home run for Chicago gave it a 3-2 lead in the second inning, and his two stellar defensive plays at second base helped keep Toronto from rallying back from an 8-2 deficit.

“With him, it was the complete package. He's really a winning player that comes out there every day to do what it takes,” La Russa said. “And then, he's also outstanding in the clubhouse or wherever the guys are. It's what he's done his whole career, right? Nice timing. Timing is perfect for him to get hot for us."

“We watched him all last year,” Anderson said. “And he’s been doing it. It’s just a matter of it to start clicking. I think he’s in a good spot. We’ll continue to keep pushing and try to keep him going.”

Minnesota and Cleveland were idle Monday, allowing Chicago to pick up a half-game in the American League Central standings. The White Sox were three games out of first place on May 19, and since then, they have not been closer than four games at any point. But they also have not trailed by more than six games. They're currently 4 1/2 games back of the Twins and 3 1/2 behind the Guardians.

Maybe that gap will close with a new infusion of bravado and fun.

“It’s always fun to pitch on the South Side [and to] pitch in the South Side jerseys, first home start,” Lynn said. “So it was good. Our offense came to play tonight for us, and [we] made some plays defensively, too. It was a good team win all the way around.”