DETROIT — The on-base machine struck again on Sunday afternoon as his bat continues to get warmer.
Courtesy of a sixth-inning triple, Jose Abreu picked up the 80th extra-base hit of his career, giving him the most through the first 156 games of his career since Evan Longoria had 87 in 2008-09. Abreu’s triple, his third extra-bagger in two games, drove in the White Sox only run in a 9-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
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The breakout comes on the heels of a 1-for-9 stretch in which Abreu struck out four times, including once with the tying runs on to end Wednesday’s loss. Following Saturday’s game when he doubled and hit a grand slam, Abreu said he hadn’t felt good at the plate.
“In the previous couple of games, I didn’t feel like myself at home plate,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “I’ve been working on it and thank God today was a good day for us, for me. I think the first three at-bats were the key for me because we are in a big situations and I can feel like I used to at home plate.”
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Though his average and on-base percentage haven’t been at the levels he produced in 2014 so far, Abreu’s slugging percentage has maintained the lofty levels.
MLB
Through 43 at-bats this season, Abreu’s slugging percentage is once again at .581, the same number he finished 2014 with when he led the American League.