Chicago White Sox's Blown Opportunities Proving to be Costly

Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals was a retelling of a story Sox fans are sick of hearing.

Runners left on base, in scoring position but not being sent to home plate.

Although the White Sox led 1-0 through the first six innings, one had to be concerned with the blown opportunities at the plate. Juan Pierre, for instance, hit a double to lead off the first inning.

He eventually would up at third base, with Carlos Quentin at second, when Adam Dunn struck out to end the inning.

It was the first of two occasions where Dunn struck out instead of driving in a runner from scoring position. In total, the White Sox left nine runners on base.

Then Danny Espinosa hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.

Espinosa represented the game-winning run for Washington. If the South Siders did what they needed to do at the plate, that run would have been merely academic.

If the Sox did what they needed to do offensively all season long, they would be on top of the AL Central. Instead, they are below .500.