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Stock Watch: Abreu powers up again

Jose Abreu ended his home run drought with two long balls over the weekend. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

RISING

StreakingJose Abreu, DH/1B: After finally ending his home run drought Saturday, Abreu hit another Sunday giving him home runs in back to back games for the fourth time this season and first time since early June. He has a hit in 22 of the last 23 games and is batting .427 over that stretch with 12 RBIs and 11 multi-hit games.

Starting pitching: Scott Carroll and Hector Noesi might have ended the starting staff's run of consecutive quality starts at eight, but the current run from the rotation continues to be impressive. Even with the five earned runs Noesi gave up Sunday, White Sox starters still have a 2.81 ERA over the last 10 games since Sept. 5, and eight of those outings have been quality.

Jake Petricka, RP: Not only did the right-hander pick up his first victory of the season in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, he has delivered six consecutive scoreless innings over his last six appearances. He has converted five consecutive save opportunities since Aug. 17 and he has a 1.65 ERA in his 16 save opportunities this season. Oh, and he also welcomed the birth of his daughter last week.

FALLING

SlumpingAlexei Ramirez, SS: His season offensively is as good as any shortstop in the American League, but Ramirez has been scuffling at the plate of late. He is batting just .122 (5-for-41) in September and .198 (22-for-111) over his last 28 games. He still leads AL shortstops in home runs (15), slugging percentage (.414) and extra-base hits (49). He also leads with a .983 fielding percentage.

Paul Konerko, DH/1B: This was supposed to be a month-long celebration of Konerko's career, but a fracture of a small bone in his left hand has put that on hold. Konerko will try to give the hand a go on the upcoming nine-game road trip with the idea that he could be in sync offensively by the time returns for the final home series of the season, Sept. 25-28 against the Kansas City Royals.

Adam Eaton, CF: There haven't been too many dry spells from the high-energy leadoff man, but the just-concluded homestand wasn't his best. Eaton went 4-for-23 (.174) in the games against the A's and Twins. In September, Eaton is 6-for-42 (.143) after going 48-for-113 (.425) over his previous 29 games.