Abreu surging down stretch after tough first half

CHICAGO — When the 2016 season comes to a close, Jose Abreu will take a step back and analyze his overall body of work.

But not too many advanced metrics need to be invoked to realize that the White Sox stand as a far better team when Abreu has All-Star level production in the middle of the order. Take a 7-4 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field as an example.

Abreu had three hits and one long flyout to center with the bases loaded to end the eighth, contributing to two of the team’s three scoring opportunities. Detroit held a 4-3 lead entering the eighth until Abreu ripped an 0-2 slider from Shane Greene to left and began a four-run winning rally.

“Yeah, he gets it started. If we can get some guys on, it seems he has the ability that’s going to carry you,” said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of his cleanup hitter. “He’s swinging it good, you can tell he’s patient as well. That’s the biggest thing, he’s not swinging at everything.

“He’s willing to take a walk, and it just changes the at-bat for the pitchers. We like it …

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