White Sox: Jose Abreu hits 100th career home run

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PHOENIX — Jose Abreu became the third Cuban player to hit 100 home runs for the White Sox when he hit blasted one Tuesday night.

The White Sox first baseman reached the left field seats with a 386-foot drive in the eighth inning off Arizona’s Jorge De La Rosa. The homer was the ninth hit by Abreu this season in 184 plate appearances.

Minnie Minoso hit 135 home runs for the White Sox and Alexei Ramirez had 109. Afterward, Abreu thanked the White Sox and others for helping him reach the milestone.

“It’s something really special for me,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “It’s something to really appreciate. I’m very thankful to all the people who have helped me to reach this milestone. It’s not something I did by myself.”

Abreu is on pace to hit 33 homers this season. He burst onto the season and hit 36 home runs en route to winning the American League rookie of the year award in 2014. Abreu’s homer total dropped to 30 in 2015 and dipped to 25 last season.

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All nine of Abreu’s homers have come away from Guaranteed Rate Field this season. The White Sox have only played 16 games at home. Prior to 2017, Abreu had homered 46 times at home and 45 on the road.

Abreu’s 100th homer had an exit velocity of 104 mph off the bat and a launch angle of 40 degrees. He may have gotten it back more quickly as the fan who caught the ball threw it onto the field.

“It’s going to be where I have all my memorabilia in the house,” Abreu said. “It’s a special place for me. I’ll have all my things. I want to give thanks to the fan who threw back the ball.”

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