Anderson moved out of leadoff spot, responds with homer

SEATTLE –Tim Anderson went 0-for-11 with six strikeouts in Anaheim and the rest of the White Sox pretty much followed his lead, scoring a run in three games that saw them get swept.

That was no way to begin the second half, and as the Sox’ road trip shifted to Safeco Field Monday, manager Robin Ventura put Adam Eaton back in the leadoff spot and moved Anderson to second.

“It’s just something different, for no other reason than we’re not scoring and hopefully that changes something,’’ manager Robin Venture said before the game Monday. “Pretty much the same people are going to be in there, but we could move it around somewhat just to shake it up and get something going.’’

For one inning, at least, the move worked. After Eaton struck out against left-hander Wade LeBlanc to lead off the game, Anderson homered into the upper deck in left for his fifth long ball of the season.

Anderson, who hit .304 with four homers and 14 multihit games but only one walk before the break (he got his second walk in Anaheim), has started at shortstop in all 32 games since getting called up from AAA Charlotte. He did not make an error in his first 23 games, but made four in the next eight leading to Monday.

“He came up, and he was hot,’’ Ventura said before the game. “He really sparked us for a while. Defensively, I wouldn’t say flawless, but he was pretty good. It was impressive.’’

Eaton had done nothing but lead off in 2014 and 15 for the Sox and is comfortable wherever. Anderson led off 28 straight times before Monday, and the Sox were 14-14 in those games with Anderson and Eaton combining to hit .298 with 15 doubles, three triples, six homers and 37 runs scored.

“You’re going to see veteran guys do the same thing, have a series that’s tough,’’ Ventura said of Anderson’s bad showing in Anaheim. “You stick with him. You know he has it in him. He’ll be fine.

“You have to understand he’s young. He’s still learning. He’s a tough enough kid to handle it.’’

Morneau sits

Avisail Garcia was back at designated hitter against lefty Wade LeBlanc, but left-handed hitting Justin Morneau might start Tuesday and Wednesday even though the Mariners will throw another left-hander (Wade Miley) Tuesday. For Garcia, the handwriting had been on the wall that his time would be cut when Morneau, who came off the disabled list Friday, was signed in June.

“That’s part of the gig,’’ Ventura said. “You know Justin was coming. That was part of getting him that we could have a lefthanded bat in the middle of the lineup and be a threat. That was there the day we signed him. That’s just something you have to make an adjustment with.’’

This and that

Catcher Alex Avila (right hamstring) started his minor league rehab stint at AAA Charlotte Monday, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout and walk as the DH. Avila hopes to return Thursday when the Sox open a home stand against the Detroit Tigers.

*The Sox at Cubs game Wednesday will be part of ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball package but will be blacked out in the Chicago market. The game will also be broadcast on CSN and Channel 9.

In other broadcast news, these were witched to Channel 9 from Channel 50: Tuesday at the Cubs, Sept. 12 vs. the Indians, Sept. 20 at the Phillies and Sept. 28 vs. the Rays.