Sonnanstine Exposes Sox

by The Cheat on Apr 19, 2008 9:25 PM CDT in Recaps Comment 37 comments

Hours before game time, upon hearing the news that Alexei Ramirez and Toby Hall would be in the starting lineup in place of Jermaine Dye and AJ Pierzynski, I wondered aloud where the White Sox offense would come from on Saturday.

I absolutely understand the need for both of them to have off-days. The bottom 3rd of the lineup just looks a whole lot uglier with them out.

The game is essentially shortened to 6 innings with three consecutive below replacement level hitters placed back-to-back-to-back. There's not much room for error.

Needless to say, the Sox did not play error-free baseball. The key gaffe came early, the second inning, after Mark Buehrle hit Jonny Gomes and subsequently appeared to have him picked off first base. The infielders -- I'm not going to assign blame, though Hawk and DJ seemed to agree that it was Juan Uribe's fault -- botched their second rundown in as many days, setting up what would prove to be the game-winning, 2-out rally. Three singles and 19 pitches (alot for a Buehrle meltdown) later, the Sox were down 3 runs, from which they would never recover.

Andy Sonnanstine had himself a resume builder, tossing 9 3-hit shutout innings, facing just 2 over the minimum. He just went right at the Sox and they couldn't do anything to stop him. They couldn't work their way on base; he was always ahead in the count. And more importantly, they couldn't do anything with the balls in the strike zone. Almost everything was hit softly, and generally on the ground. Heck, their first hit of the game was a bunt single by Orlando Cabrera. It was almost a 2-hitter.

Elephant in the Room

After being limited to just 3 hits, one of which was a bunt, by Sonnanstine on Saturday, the White Sox now rank 13th in the AL in batting average at .239, lower than they hit during the dismal '07 season, fractions of a percentage point away from the cellar (Cleveland at .239, or .2389). It has gone largely unnoticed thanks to good plate discipline and timely homeruns, but the Sox still aren't hitting.

The starting lineup today featured two batters with an average above .250, Nick Swisher and Joe Crede. That's not going to cut it, no matter how many walks they draw or how many homers they crank.

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Ozzie says Paulie with get the day off tomorrow

so that probably means Swish at 1B and either Alexei or BA in CF

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 19, 2008 9:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

aren't hitting or can't hit there is a difference

I do know this. It is not Greg Walker’s fault. He is above criticism. It is only April, by September they will be last in batting average. I’ll throw in last in hits. Doubles. Triples. The will be fine in home runs. Cy Sonnanstine saw this fact. Hey this guys can’t hit. I will keep them in the ball park since they can not sting hits together.

by skooter on Apr 19, 2008 10:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Joe Mays formula

Spot low and away, wipe them out with 2 strikes with crap out of the zone. This team will pull it no matter how much you go away.

by southsideirish71 on Apr 19, 2008 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When is Uribe going to get a day off

by southsideirish71 on Apr 19, 2008 10:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

See you next season

These are the 2007 Sox all over again, just with fewer excuses left. A year ago we had about the same record in April and I predict we’ll have the same record at the end of the season too. Last year we didn’t have offense because of the ‘perfect storm.’ This year we’re just bad. No team that plays Hall, Uribe and Ramirez together at any point is going to sniff 80 wins.

by southsidejeff on Apr 19, 2008 10:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

All right then -- thanks for posting

Sheesh. I wasn’t operating under the impression the Sox would contend this year, so perhaps I’m less let down. I think you are wrong if you think these are the 2007 Sox. Here’s my list of 3 things that already make the Sox more interesting this year than last: Quentin, Swisher, and Ozzie being willing to play Quentin & leadoff Swisher. That’s not all actually. Both Danks and Floyd will get a bunch of innings if they can handle them. That should allow the organization to make a determination if they can be useful starters. And eventually I’m looking forward to seeing Ramirez and Fields getting major league at-bats.

It’s asking a lot, but if four of Quentin, Fields, Ramirez, Floyd, and Danks pan out I think the Sox could field a very competitive team next year. Especially if Ramirez can handle SS and Swisher CF.

by hitlesswonder on Apr 19, 2008 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I’m not let down, since my expectations were quite low in the first place…10-7 ain’t bad at all. The Tigers would love to have the Sox record right now.

To contend, they’ll need to play several notches above expectations for the duration of the season. So far we’ve seen glimmers of hope (mostly solid pitching, mostly excellent defense, timely hitting, new enthusiasm – dare I say “chemistry” thanks to Swish, OCab and Q) and areas for concern (2-3-4-5 hitters still not hitting, Alexi not ready for prime time, Uribe/Contreras/BA/Owens still question marks). And what about $22 parking at the cell? Geez.

So, for a team like this to blow a game in the 9th with 2 outs and a 2-run lead, or botch a run down that leads to runs, is unacceptable…if they hope to have any prayer of pulling off a huge upset and get to the playoffs.

It’s OK to get beat…just don’t beat yourself…unless the wife is out of town (hi yo!)

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 19, 2008 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Toby

The guy is just terrible. Is he still injured, or just naturally terrible? He’s hitting .167 with no RBI. I believe his OBP is also .167.

Can Donny Lucy really do much worse?

I’m also in favor of giving veterans a day off once in awhile, but I think “one guy per game” will need to be the rule while the offense is still “developing.”

And…it’s a sin for a major league baseball team to botch a run down. Ozzie should have kept them all after (delaying their steak dinners and cocktails) and do run down drills for an hour…geesh! Gaffs like that area almost always a sure way to shoot yourself in the foot…especially for a team that is succeeding with timely (not good) hitting, (mostly) excellent defense and a few breaks here and there.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 19, 2008 10:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Must learn to proof myself...

area = are

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 19, 2008 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Run Down

I watched that run-down play on Sports Center and I was taught better in Little League. I thought this was supposed to be the back to basics grinder type of spring training. Uribe isn’t hitting either.

by phastphil on Apr 19, 2008 10:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But when he does

He’s capable of carrying this team

Help! My groin's fallen and I can't get it up!

by Brush Back on Apr 19, 2008 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Though he'd rather carry

a bucket of KFC.

Sorry, I hadn’t seen any Uribe “fat” jokes in awhile.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 19, 2008 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uribe - Conundrum

He will drive us all crazy. One game he makes incredible plays in the field and smacks the ball all over the the ballpark – then the next day he makes a play like the run-down today and is constantly o and 2 at the plate swinging at awful pitches. Ugh!

by phastphil on Apr 20, 2008 1:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guillen stated his starters will go tomorrow

Except for Konerko, this means Uribe avoids the bench for another game.

by southsideirish71 on Apr 19, 2008 11:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Konerko with a K

Juan Uribe is brutal. Toby Hall is a back up catcher. Both are easy to pick on. Why not criticism for Konerko? The truth is he hit a $60 million grand slam in the world series. He is stealing and needs to be called out. I would like to know what his splits are after the sixth inning not to mention his prolonged deep head case slumps. However, Greg Walker is his friend.

by skooter on Apr 19, 2008 11:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So look them up.

You’re obviously able to use the internet. though I’d argue that you’re not exactly utilizing it well.

If you wonder what Konerko’s splits are, and wish to construct a (baseless) argument around those splits, perhaps you should spend the 30 seconds it takes to look them up instead of wasting our time.

/Pet Peeve

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 20, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

skooter, research is your friend...

konerko ‘07 ops innings 7-9: .887
konerko ‘06 ops innings 7-9: .996

anything else is up to you. not to mention the fact that you have no point.

Blood has been shed, Jerry.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 20, 2008 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to add that

the Sox are 4th in OBP and 3rd in SLG in the majors. That puts them 3rd in OPS behind the Red Sox and Angels.

Honestly I couldn’t care less if they’re hitting .239—if the OBP and SLG are up there, they’re going to win games. Every team is going to have shitty outings like the Sox did tonight (see: Detroit’s 2008 start with arguably one of the best lineups in the majors), so I don’t know why everyone is getting so worked up about one terrible game with three terrible hitters in the lineup.

If the Sox stay in the top 3 in OPS and the staff keeps pitching, this team is in a lot better shape than their AVG suggests.

"P.S. if Cintron gets traded or released I will buy drinks for the whole board" - tubesox 6/24/07

by mjthor on Apr 20, 2008 12:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oops.

Those stats were AL only. They’re 5th overall in OBP, 9th in SLG and 10th in OPS.

Either way, they’re one of the better offensive teams when you look at ratio stats other than AVG. In counting stats, they’re 5th in R, tied for 3rd in HR and 3rd in RBI.

Point being, AVG is important, but it doesn’t mean that much. At least not enough to doom the Sox to another 4th place finish.

"P.S. if Cintron gets traded or released I will buy drinks for the whole board" - tubesox 6/24/07

by mjthor on Apr 20, 2008 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagee, sorta

Average is super important, but It is bad, bad news if, as a team, the Sox are batting so poorly. Granted the high OBP and SLG percentages currently offset such a deficiency, but the question immediately becomes how long can the team sustain such a high OBP or SLG.

I’m not suggesting that the season is a bust-we’ve got a damn long way to go and thus far our bullpen and young starters are truly exciting-but I’d be much more comfortable with the potential outlook of our season is we summed the same OPS (5th in MLB) but with higher AVE but a lower OBP. Such a gulf between team AVE and OBP is concerning.

by BustedFlush on Apr 20, 2008 2:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being 2am

I did men that team “average is NOT super important.”

by BustedFlush on Apr 20, 2008 2:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Christ

men=mean

Goodnight.

by BustedFlush on Apr 20, 2008 2:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ZYPREXA

Its a drug for a few of you folks for bi polar disorder. What on earth will some of you do when the team loses 4 straight?

Did someone actually write we’re just bad? If you cant see the difference between 07 and now perhaps a trip to an eye doctor is in order.

They need to fix the run down issue. That kind of crap should not be happening twice in a month let alone 2 days.

Hey speed never slumps – HR teams do (that is a joke please do not respond to it).

by Tdogg on Apr 20, 2008 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

All is not lost

We have become enamored with OBP, which is still a key, and the Sox have 6 regulars above .350 OBP as compared to the Red Sox, who also have 6 regulars above.350 OBP. However the White Sox do not seem to be able to adjust to a new pitcher showing little patience, not hitting to the opposite field, you know the little hitting tricks a lot of teams use[those without walker]. This umpire crew seemed to allow those leaning into pitches to get on yet we were content with feeble effort. This is an important game for us to see if we can rebound from a poor game. I remember watching last season as it slipped away and I surely do not want to see that after a fine start.

by floridajim on Apr 20, 2008 10:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Frank Thomas released

Big Frank was slumping and the manger benched him, Frank took offense and complained it was done to thwart his contract which requires 360 at bats this season for some added benefit. Toronto said that was not true and decided to release him. If Frank, and others, cannot whine when offended this could change the game.

by floridajim on Apr 20, 2008 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

Right or wrong, it’s a ballsy move.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 20, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good

he deserves it for calling out his team like that. frank needs to realize it ain’t 1997 anymore. you can get away with being a petulant, angry asshole with a persecution complex who is a poisonous presence in the clubhouse when you’re OPSing 1.000. when you’re a guy who can probably be counted on for maybe an .850, you can’t. the karma police have appropriately shat on frank throughout his career. glad to see them keep it going. the man will never learn.

in their respective baseball purgatories, both frank thomas and jerry owens loudly whine.

by larry on Apr 20, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a Thomas fanboy...

so I’m biased, but it was pretty clear that the Jays were simply trying to avoid activating his option. He really wasn’t hitting much worse than Jim Thome, and we all agreed that it was too early to bench him.

But I do agree that it’s a business – if he didn’t want this kind of trouble, he shouldn’t have signed a contract with an automatic vesting option. And to be honest, the Blue Jays shouldn’t have given it to him.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 20, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'd agree basically with all that

though, for whatever it’s worth, my notes for the two toronto games i watched included comments on thomas of “slow wrists” and “no better bat speed than last time.” thomas is a notorious slow starter, for whatever reason, so perhaps these are simply emblems of that. i’m sure this was largely a business decision but he’s going to turn into a pumpkin at some point and that day draws closer and closer. that contract, in my opinion (and, knowing you, i’d bet yours), was pretty stupid on the part of toronto. two year deal is perhaps defensible, though why toronto would give it is odd; but an option like that? just another in a long line of ricciardi stupidity.

in their respective baseball purgatories, both frank thomas and jerry owens loudly whine.

by larry on Apr 20, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And now...

if Thomas clears waivers and signs with another team, the Jays will be on the hook for millions. Someone will get a decent DH for league minimum. Not smart.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 20, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that depends

upon whether thomas is soon done or not. so-so contract to start. but getting out of the $10M may end up being making lemonade out of lemons.

wouldn’t necessarily surprise me to see a trade worked out, though i’m not sure i’d want to take on that contract. this will be an interesting sounding out of the market; it’s pretty early so there really aren’t lots of teams looking to make major moves. could be a small market for him.

in their respective baseball purgatories, both frank thomas and jerry owens loudly whine.

by larry on Apr 20, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so where will thomas land?

there are teams that could use a DH, obviously, though his prickly attitude probably prevents him from signing with some of those teams (twins, for example). seattle?

in their respective baseball purgatories, both frank thomas and jerry owens loudly whine.

by larry on Apr 20, 2008 11:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The team we are playing would be a good destination

Thomas would be a nice protection in the middle of the Rays order.

by southsideirish71 on Apr 20, 2008 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

another team

that wouldn’t want his attitude.

in their respective baseball purgatories, both frank thomas and jerry owens loudly whine.

by larry on Apr 20, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Mariners...

could definitely use him.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 20, 2008 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

how about detroit?

Recent reports suggests the Tigers aren’t too interested in signing Bonds despite manager Jim Leyland’s past with the slugger. Thomas however could be a more intriguing option. Signing Thomas for the required 320k also may bump Jacque Jones out the lineup, a plus for the ever slumping 33 year old with the OPS+ of 11.

BTB

by The Wizard on Apr 20, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if they are going to spend that kind of money on the guy

... they gotta know what they are getting.

Jays come out looking like fools here. They just flushed 10’s of millions of bucks down the toilet.

Guys like KW won’t say anything, but they could come up with an “I told you so” if they wanted to.

Just because Thomas signed a “market-value” deal doesn’t mean it was a good deal for the Jays. Sooner or later, the market is going to realize that some older players just aren’t worth the “market price.” When their production drops, it’s like falling off a cliff.

Will Thomas sign with somebody and hit 20+ hr’s this year? Probably. And the Jays will be paying for it.

by ruffster on Apr 20, 2008 12:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs