Yolmer Sanchez keeps things fun in White Sox’ clubhouse

DETROIT — Yolmer Sanchez is like the mischievous little brother in your family, only he’s the mischievous little infielder in the White Sox’ clan.

He’s part class clown and part goofball, the one jumping on the back of bigger teammates, such as Jose Abreu, in the clubhouse. He tries to distract teammates during interviews by lifting his shirt or using a bat as a mock microphone. He also likes playing cards with Todd Frazier.

You might recall Sanchez doing the silly “Rock-a-bye Baby” bit with Adam Eaton, a salute to his son. Now that Eaton is no longer with the team, Sanchez makes pretend Mickey Mouse ears instead, as he did after hitting a double against the Tigers’ Michael Fulmer on Friday.

Always up, never down. Always loose, never tight. Keep it fun, Sanchez likes to say.

“That’s the point,’’ Sanchez said. “Work hard and have fun. For me, I can’t wait to come here and be here with my teammates. I try to jell with everyone here.’’

The Sox were in need of amusement while getting thumped 15-5 by the Tigers in the opener of a nine-game road trip. Derek Holland (4-5) allowed eight runs and eight hits, including three homers, in 2⅓ innings.

“Very frustrating,’’ Holland said. “Everything was coming back over the plate, missing right down the middle. I was battling my own mechanics, trying to find a groove. Couldn’t get it.’’

Sanchez, playing second base, doubled, singled, walked and scored two runs. Manager Rick Renteria has watched Sanchez take control of second base. With Tyler Saladino hitting .200 and being slowed by back spasms, the switch-hitting Sanchez has stepped forward by putting up solid numbers.

Sanchez took a career .224/.261/.357 slash line into the season but is hitting .299/.345/.438 with two homers and 15 RBI.

“He’s just taken hold of the opportunity and is running with it,’’ Renteria said. “He’s a pretty gifted young player. Like most young players he’s gaining confidence and running with it.’’

Holland’s confidence must have taken a hit after Mike Mahtook homered in the second and J.D. Martinez and John Hicks homered in the third. The Tigers scored two in the first on RBI doubles by Miguel Cabrera and Martinez, and Cabrera drove in a pair of runs in the second with his second double and 1,000th extra-base hit of his career.

With the Sox needing innings out of their bullpen, Michael Ynoa, Holland’s replacement, lasted only two batters — a single to Jose Iglesias and a triple to Dixon Machado — before exiting with soreness in his right quad. Ynoa, who will be re-evaluated Saturday, was replaced by Gregory Infante.

It was the latest injury issue to the Sox’ pitching staff, who already have James Shields, Carlos Rodon, Jake Petricka, Zach Putnam and Dylan Covey on the disabled list. (Petricka threw a scoreless inning in a rehab outing for Class AAA Charlotte on Friday, and Shields is scheduled to pitch for Charlotte Saturday).

The Sox scored a run in the second on a double by Yolmer Sanchez and a single by Leury Garcia against.

The first of two doubles by Matt Davidson, RBI singles by Tim Anderson and Leury Garcia (2-for-4, three RBI) and a sacrifice fly by Melky Cabrera gave the Sox three runs in the sixth.

Throughout the ups and downs of a 162-game schedule, it doesn’t hurt to have guys like Sanchez around for dud games.

“It’s awesome, he’s a high energy kid — very happy,’’ Renteria said. “We have quite a few of those, he happens to be the one who is most boisterous. It’s fun to have him.’’

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com

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