Miguel Vargas adds to his breakout season with clutch performance for the White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) — On an important afternoon for the Chicago White Sox, Miguel Vargas delivered. With his glove, bat and legs.

Vargas added to his breakout season with a terrific all-around performance in Chicago’s 3-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday. The All-Star third baseman hit his 33rd homer, walked twice and made a big play in the field.

“It’s what he’s done all year,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Certainly a great day to point to on his growth and some of the things he’s been able to achieve individually. He’s been in the middle of everything for us.”

Vargas also homered Friday night and drove in three runs, but Chicago blew a six-run lead in an 11-8 loss to Detroit. The White Sox are one game behind AL Central-leading Cleveland and third in the wild-card standings, two games better than Houston.

“This is what this team is about. We never give up,” Vargas said. “We always come back and battle the next day and play all nine innings. That’s what we have been doing the whole year, just show up that day.”

Vargas helped Chicago (79-76) get off to a fast start in the first inning. He reached on a two-out walk, swiped second and scored on Munetaka Murakami’s single for a 1-0 lead.

The 26-year-old Vargas became the first player in franchise history with at least 30 homers, 30 doubles, 20 steals and 100 runs scored in a single season.

“He’s been awesome,” right-hander Sean Burke said. “Even down the stretch, he’s turned it up another notch on both sides of the ball, which is huge to see. Just running the bases today, too. We’re all super happy with how he’s been playing.”

Vargas also helped Chicago escape a jam in the fourth. With two on and two down, he made a lunging stop on Dillon Dingler’s hard grounder to third and threw to first for the out.

Vargas pounded on his chest in celebration after making the play.

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“That’s one of my main things coming (into) this year,” he said. “I want to be able to help my team on both sides of the field, and to be able to make that play in that moment means a lot for me. I know I get a little bit too fired up for that, but I just feel the moment. That’s the type of guy I am, and I like this moment. I like these games, and I’m just trying to enjoy it the most.”

Moments after Burke escaped a jam in the top of the sixth, Vargas made it 3-1 when he opened the bottom half with a 390-foot drive to left-center. Vargas began the season with 29 career homers, including 16 for Chicago last year.

“That’s why I wake up every day and work so hard for these types of moments,” he said. “And for me, I think it’s just this group has been pushing me every single day. And I never have been thinking about my individual stats, I just want to go out there and do the best for my team, and have some fun and always try hard.”

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