Sox score 6, pound out 16 hits

by The Cheat on May 16, 2007 11:43 PM CDT in Recaps

And it only took two games. R/G creeping ever closer to 3.

After an encouraging, well managed opening game of Wednesday's double header, the Sox returned to their anemic (and altogether boring) ways. When the highlights of the night were Gustavo Molina's first (and quite possibly last) major league hit and Pablo Ozuna's first multi-walk game in a White Sox uniform, you did not have a productive night at the plate.

Wang's a better pitcher than much of the roster filler who has shut the Sox down this season, but he was nowhere near top form Wednesday, especially in the early innings when he kept leaving his sinker up in the zone. And yet the Sox first baserunner was Molina, batting 9th, on a hit that I didn't even see. (Does it count if I didn't see it?)

I missed a bunch of the game tonight. It just couldn't hold my interest. And the Gilmore Girls finale was yesterday, so it wasn't that. It was just more lifeless baseball from a lifeless team inexplicably treading water above .500.

Juan Uribe did something bad (Guess what? I didn't see it) to start off a terrible third inning. Joe Crede followed him up with another bad something (yep, didn't see it) and Darin Erstad added the cherry on top with a bad read on a "tough liner" to stake the Yankees to an early 2-0 lead. More than enough runs against this offense.

Just for good measure though, in the 6th inning, Pablo Ozuna did something bad on the bases (didn't see it) to end a threat and a chance to tie the game.

Outside of Molina's gaudy jump in batting average, nothing has changed. The offense still sucks, and you don't have to watch closely to see it.

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Kenny should start the firsale now

Just so we would have something interesting to talk about. Whatever happens, in 2008 (if not sooner) I want the Sox to have a genuine leadoff man (.360 or more OBP) with a decent glove playing 2B or CF. Actaully -- I want that player in CF just to lessen the chance of the Sox keeping Erstad around with a $6 million salary next season.

by hitlesswonder on May 16, 2007 11:48 PM CDT 0 recs

Great thinking...

Thankfully, the only thing 600 plate appearances will do for Erstad is earn him a bigger buyout. Ozzie will get Erstad his 600 plate appearances if he stays healthy but there's no way Kenny gives Erstad $6 million for 2008. It will be funny to all of a sudden stop hearing Hawk and D.J. licking Erstie's balls after only one season in a Sox uniform. Guess what that will mean, Hawk? That Erstad sucks.

by SSH2005 on May 16, 2007 11:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

Let's all take a moment

I don't think I'm gonna be able to work the Gilmore Girls into any more recaps.

/single tear

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 16, 2007 11:53 PM CDT 0 recs

I know the feeling

Fortunately, "My Boys" is set to return this summer, heavy-handed Chicago references, non-laborious employment and all.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on May 17, 2007 1:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

You...are...so...

sensitive. I'm a little verklempt right now.

by winningugly on May 17, 2007 1:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Apparently

Gustavo's celebration was short-lived. He's been optioned to AAA.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 16, 2007 11:56 PM CDT 0 recs

I can't wait to look up Gustavo Molina's name...

at www.Baseball-Reference.com when I'm an old fart. I will get to see his career line of 1 for 18 with a .056 batting average.

by SSH2005 on May 17, 2007 12:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

I hope

when you're an old fart, you have better things to do than to look up Gustavo Molina's name at www.Baseball-Reference.com.

by ballyb on May 17, 2007 12:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm still only 27...

My goal is to have a breakout season in CF for the Brewers, get traded to the Sox, get injured all the time and suck, and then marry Lisa Dergan.

It's a pretty solid plan, IMO.

by SSH2005 on May 17, 2007 12:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

You're missing a few details

Before you marry Lisa, you've got to:

-be hitting around .290
-steal around 60 bases and
-hit a walk-off HR to win a World Series game

In addition to Lisa, you might even get your bat in the hall of fame and a blue seat in the outfield.

The devil's always in the details.

by NSSF on May 17, 2007 9:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

After all that...

I still need to make sure I revert to an awful baseball player who doesn't deserve to be on a major league team, much less earn $2.9 million.

by SSH2005 on May 17, 2007 12:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

You were right, Cheat...

Gustavo Molina to AAA, according to WSCR 670 "The Score". A corresponding move is coming soon.

by SSH2005 on May 16, 2007 11:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Which would mean Toby Hall, who was raking at AAA.

by SSH2005 on May 16, 2007 11:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Just looked at the standings.

A miracle we're only 4 back with the pathetic offense. But then again pitching, pitching, pitching.

On the other hand, extrapolate 4 back now over 162 games and you get....................18 out at season's end.

Somehow, that feels more correct.

by ballyb on May 17, 2007 12:15 AM CDT 0 recs

Today's THT

sorry, still don't know how to set up the link, but here it is:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/ten-things-i-didnt-know-last-week36/

i'm not familiar (like a lot of folks on this site) with the stats that are used, but studes estimates that its sox hitting, not pitching that is contributing to exceeding their pythagorean record (thus far). apparently, the sox offense contributes much more during the middle innings in close games. maybe some of you can expand on this if its worth it...

even still, if this offense continues its pathetic showing, i would think the sox will fare worse because i don't expect pitching to hold up, that is, there won't be as many close games where the sox offense will put them on top in the middle innings.

by onlysoxfaninboston on May 17, 2007 7:12 AM CDT 0 recs

To expand on "The offense still sucks"..

2 times we had runners on 1st and 2nd, nooooooobody out (as Hawk might say). Well, nobody even made it to 3rd in either of those innings. The batters we had up in those situations were Paulie and JD.

Now my question to you all would be: with the bats as ineffective as they have been, and given that in both of those situations it was still a close game, is it acceptable to ask them to put down a bunt there? I know that sounds a bit too East Dakotian, but this offense needs to produce runs anyway it can.

by CatBrains on May 17, 2007 8:06 AM CDT 0 recs

Says it all.

Any songwriters out there?

We need to write a song and get it adopted as the Sox theme song to replace Don't Stop Believing.

Waiting for a Three Run Homer.

by ballyb on May 17, 2007 9:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

How's about

"Double with Runners On"?

Maybe a country ditty.

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

R/G???

by ballyb on May 17, 2007 8:34 AM CDT 0 recs

Runs/game.

It takes two to lie; one to lie and one to listen.

by Toonderstrook on May 17, 2007 8:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

Runs per game

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 8:44 AM CDT up 0 recs

What exactly does a hitting coach do?

It really pissed me off last night when we had runners on 1 & 2 and PK coming to the plate. The TV camera briefly showed the defensive setup, and the second baseman was practically behind the bad and the first baseman was near the bad, leaving the entire right side open. Of course, PK drops his shoulder and is in front of everything trying to pull the ball. JD the same shit.

Here's the spray chart for PK at the Cell this year, I've sorted for singles and doubles - he does not have ONE single or double to the right side this year:

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_player_hitting_chart.jsp?c_id=mlb&playerID=117244&statTy pe=1

Here's last year for comparison:

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_player_hitting_chart.jsp?c_id=mlb&playerID=117244&statTy pe=1

Obviously a small sample this year, but we've played 20% of our home games and he doesn't have one non-homer hit to the right side.

JD is the exact same shit, here's this year at the Cell:

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_player_hitting_chart.jsp?c_id=mlb&playerID=113679&statTy pe=1

And last year:

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_player_hitting_chart.jsp?c_id=mlb&playerID=113679&statTy pe=1

Crede and Iguchi aren't much better - Gooch doesn't have one single to the right side.

WTF????? If a hitting coach can't help a hitter cut down his swing a little and go the opposite way until he gets his stroke back, what good is he doing the team? Either he can't get through to them, or they're completely tuning him out. If they're going to continue trying to pull the low and away pitch we're never getting out of this slump. Fucking ridiculous.

by ChicagoPete on May 17, 2007 9:05 AM CDT 0 recs

freudian slip

s/b "bag" not:

behind the bad and the first baseman was near the bad

by ChicagoPete on May 17, 2007 9:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

This is pretty funny

In 03, we fired Ward because we couldnt hit.

In April of 03 we hit .251.
In May of 03 we hit .241

Those stats would be dreamy compared to where we are today.

by southsideirish71 on May 17, 2007 9:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

Look at it this way

<pre> Lineup Slot AB Hits 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB HBP K SH SF GDP C IBA OBA Slug% Batting #1 151 44 10 0 2 14 9 0 0 14 1 0 5 1 0.291 0.331 0.397 Batting #2 138 30 2 1 3 11 15 0 2 26 4 1 4 0 0.217 0.301 0.312 Batting #3 128 27 5 0 5 14 28 4 0 32 0 2 3 0 0.211 0.348 0.367 Batting #4 135 32 8 0 6 20 18 3 2 31 0 1 4 0 0.237 0.333 0.430 Batting #5 135 28 4 0 7 20 13 1 2 32 0 1 4 0 0.207 0.285 0.393 Batting #6 137 31 4 0 5 12 8 0 2 22 0 0 4 0 0.226 0.279 0.365 Batting #7 128 25 5 0 2 10 12 1 0 13 0 1 3 0 0.195 0.262 0.281 Batting #8 122 24 5 1 2 17 9 0 2 21 0 3 2 0 0.197 0.257 0.303 Batting #9 114 22 2 0 7 14 14 0 1 24 3 1 2 0 0.193 0.285 0.395</pre>

by RME JICO on May 17, 2007 9:36 AM CDT up 0 recs

Well that didn't work too well

Lineup Slot AB Hits 2B 3B HR RBI BB IB HBP K SH SF GDP C BA OBA Slug%
Batting #1 151 44 10 0 2 14 9 0 0 14 1 0 5 1 0.291 0.331 0.397
Batting #2 138 30 2 1 3 11 15 0 2 26 4 1 4 0 0.217 0.301 0.312
Batting #3 128 27 5 0 5 14 28 4 0 32 0 2 3 0 0.211 0.348 0.367
Batting #4 135 32 8 0 6 20 18 3 2 31 0 1 4 0 0.237 0.333 0.430
Batting #5 135 28 4 0 7 20 13 1 2 32 0 1 4 0 0.207 0.285 0.393
Batting #6 137 31 4 0 5 12 8 0 2 22 0 0 4 0 0.226 0.279 0.365
Batting #7 128 25 5 0 2 10 12 1 0 13 0 1 3 0 0.195 0.262 0.281
Batting #8 122 24 5 1 2 17 9 0 2 21 0 3 2 0 0.197 0.257 0.303
Batting #9 114 22 2 0 7 14 14 0 1 24 3 1 2 0 0.193 0.285 0.395

by RME JICO on May 17, 2007 9:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

well

when you put it that way, it all becomes clear... ;)

by thatshortkid on May 17, 2007 9:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks

I am glad I could clear that up. Also happy that HTML formatting is working. <pre>T E S T</pre>

by RME JICO on May 17, 2007 9:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

What I would like to know is

what are they working on in batting practice - are they having home run derby contests? They certainly aren't working on going the other way.

by ChicagoPete on May 17, 2007 9:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

Home Run Derby Contests. Very funny!

by ballyb on May 17, 2007 10:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

It is truly a miracle

this team is still a couple of games above .500

Thank God for decent pitching and a few breaks that have come our way.

Perhaps it's time for a "Slump-O-Meter" that will inspire the hitters to start, well, hitting. It would stay up until they are hitting at least .250 as a team. With Gustavo gone, this should now be a little easier.

For awhile it was just bizarre to watch Paulie, JD, Gooch and Crede step up and take bad hacks or hit weak flies. Now we're 36 games into the season (22% down, 78% to go) and this is getting nightmarish.

Then again, the Scrubs have the 6th best average and are sitting at 18-20, 6 games in back of the mighty...um...Brewers. How are they getting it done without Pods?

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on May 17, 2007 10:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Crede

has more foul outs to the first baseman than hits this year. He keeps taking the uppercut swings at low and outside pitches.

by squeegeeman on May 17, 2007 10:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm too lazy to look this up

Is that a true stat? If so, it should be faxed to KW with a list of batting coach candidates.

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 10:31 AM CDT up 0 recs

it's not that much of an exaggeration

He's got 10 singles at the Cell this year and nine infield popouts.

by ChicagoPete on May 17, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

They have been "Major League" popouts,

however.;(

For the most part, Joe doesn't hit little ducksnort popouts.

by ballyb on May 17, 2007 10:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm interested to see

How Toby Hall infuses into this lineup. Logically, one would assume he'll be taking over DH duties for the time being, unless AJ is finally getting a day off (though that time off would be better served against Oakland next week, considering Hall's arm--the A's never run). I wonder if Hall is going to catch slump-itis, or maybe he'll actually perform to his career average.

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 10:29 AM CDT 0 recs

He'll fit perfectly after his

0-4 last night.
Yep, he'll fit right in.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 17, 2007 10:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

He's only a true fit

if he was swining for the fences!

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 10:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

doubt he'd be put in DH spot

if, god forbid, something were to happen to AJ, we'd lose the DH and have our pitchers hitting. wait, that might be a good thing. put toby in as DH.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 17, 2007 11:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

My mind slipped...

we're playing in Wrigley anyway this weekend. So the pitchers will indeed be batting. Quick, let's sign a pitcher who can hit!

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 11:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Does he have some sort of

magic healing powers? When it first happened, it was painted as a possible season-ending injury. Now he's back in like 6 weeks? How is this possible? Or, when he goes to throw out his first runner, will he re-injury it for good and we're stuck with an unwelcome heavy dose of "Gustavo Ball"?

Speaking of Gustavo, are you telling me there is no other catcher at any level in the organization that can't do better than 1 for 18? What does that say about the farm system?

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on May 17, 2007 11:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

it's official

toby's here.

link

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 17, 2007 11:37 AM CDT 0 recs

Godspeed, Mr. Hall.

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 11:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm glad...

that Molina got a hit during his time in the majors. He may never get another opportunity, and it's something he'll be able to tell his grandkids.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 17, 2007 11:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

yep

[whitesox.com]

Following Wednesday's game vs. the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox optioned catcher Gustavo Molina to Triple-A Charlotte.

and

[whitesox.com]

Prior to today's game vs. the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox recalled Toby Hall from his rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Charlotte and reinstated the catcher from the 15-day disabled list.

by The Wizard on May 17, 2007 12:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

and I heard in today's pregame show

hall will probably get the start tomorrow against the lefty lilly

by The Wizard on May 17, 2007 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Quick question:

Rumors in TwinkieTown are that Hunter is on the block. Would you want him in CF now? Not after the season, but playing in Wrigley this weekend? If so, what would you give the Twins for him?

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on May 17, 2007 11:56 AM CDT 0 recs

no

not only because he would cost too much and not help us enough but because we'd have to see whomever we traded to them kick our ass many, many times for many, many years.

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 17, 2007 11:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm sure you're speculating,

but the Twins would never trade Hunter to us. We're in direct competition, and I doubt they're ready to fold in the tents for 2007.

To get him, knowing the Twins, would probably gut us of our farm system. And even that might not be enough.

by southsider80 on May 17, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

Already on record

in saying he'd be the MAN in CF. And to the folks who say "Nah, too expensive", stop bitching about how JR/KW don't go out and get good free agents or make blockbuster trades and are always getting our folks on the cheap(if you are less than charitable) or are value-oriented (if you are a JR/KW fan).

The guy is hitting almost double our regulars (I know, it won't continue) and would end the "would he/should he've caught it" speculation and grousing about our current (and, face it, future) CF's.

Get him. Now.

by winningugly on May 17, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

If Hunter becomes a Sox.

He will start uppercutting and hit .200, just like Dye.

by squeegeeman on May 17, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ain't happening.

I'm not sure the Sox have the pieces to get Hunter, no matter what they offer.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 17, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Nuts to that!

If the Sox are going to overpay for a CF, make it one of the guys on the Devil Rays.

You know, the young guys with lots of upside that we're always drooling over, like Crawford or Baldelli.

Hunter is on the downside of his career and, although doing really well this year, was hurt for more than half of the 2005 season and wasn't great last year. It's my impression that the Twinkies have been trying to get rid of him for a while (I think I first heard a rumor in 2004) because he's making too much money and his production is bound to decline, both in the field and at the dish. The reason they didn't dump him sooner is that would be organizational suicide considering they were trying to get funding for a new park. With the stadium deal in place and Twinkies fans in love with Liriano, Santana, Mauer, and Morneau, the Twins don't have to worry so much about the backlash from trading Hunter anymore and can sell high now.

At any rate, I think Kenny should get someone that's going to help the Sox now and for many years to come. IMO, Hunter isn't the best fit for the future, he may turn into another Erstad.

GO SOX!

by rhythm on May 17, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Baldelli's now going on the DL

for the 50th or so time in his 4 year career (not exact figures). He's like Nomar - injury prone - except without the breakout year(s) Nomar has had (and he's younger). I'd hate to mortgage our future for an injury prone guy.

Now Crawford - man, he'd look good in a Sox uni.

And I never said whether or not Hunter is feasible - it isn't - but the question was whether or not it would be a good thing. It would, IMO, though not necessarily the BEST thing.

by winningugly on May 17, 2007 1:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Baldelli on the DL, AGAIN!?!

OUCH!

GO SOX!

by rhythm on May 17, 2007 5:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

maybe we can 'buy low' ?

by The Wizard on May 17, 2007 5:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

'buy broken'

Stay grindy, my friends.

by larry on May 17, 2007 5:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

ozzie on sunday's starter

[Scott Merkin]

"I don't know. It's how our bullpen is doing," said Guillen of his plan for possibly starting Contreras against the Cubs. "If we have a clear and rested bullpen, it can help Jose. I'm leaning more to Jose than I am to Danks. If [Contreras] starts Sunday, we will monitor how many pitches he's going to throw."

by The Wizard on May 17, 2007 12:19 PM CDT 0 recs