Spring Training Game #14: White Sox @ Seattle

by The Wizard on Mar 11, 2007 12:23 PM CDT in Game Threads

The Sox travel to Peoria and take on the Seattle Mariners (3:05 p.m.). Righty Adam Russell gets the start for the Good Guys. Jim Parque, a member of the 2000 division-winning White Sox team, takes the mound for the Mariners. The game is on both TV (CSN) and radio (WSCR). Heath Phillips will also pitch for the Sox. Here are the lineups (Live Boxscore; MLB Gameday):

Sox: Tadahito Iguchi, 2B; Ryan Sweeney, LF; Paul Konerko, 1B; Jermaine Dye, RF; Eduardo Perez, DH; Brian Anderson, CF; Josh Fields, 3B; Andy Gonzalez, SS; Gustavo Molina, C

Mariners: Ichiro, CF; Adrian Beltre, 3B; Jose Guillen, RF; Richie Sexson, 1B; Ben Broussard, DH; Kenji Johjima, C; Yuniesky Betancourt, SS; Wladimir Balentien, LF; Oswaldo Navarro, 2B

In the "B" game the Sox will play Arizona in Tuscon. Javier Vazquez will start for the Sox. Andrew Sisco and Bobby Jenks are also scheduled to pitch. AJ and Jim Thome will stay in Tuscon and play in the game against the Diamondbacks.

*****

Today's White Sox Quote of the Day comes from Ozzie Guillen. Ozzie on the Sox loss in yesterday's game against the Rockies:

[Scott Merkin]

"Who did we play? Colorado? That's a shocker," said Guillen of the Rockies, who have a 9-1-1 spring record against the White Sox over the past two years. "They own Buehrle. They own Garland. They own Jose [Contreras]. They own the White Sox. Thank God we don't have to play them if these games count. Then, I would be fired."

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Indians' Cliff Lee out for awhile...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6523738

"The reality is I can't pitch until mid-April," Lee said after being scratched from a scheduled throwing session when he felt discomfort during training-room exercises Sunday morning.

The Indians hope Lee, their No. 3 starter, will at least be able to resume throwing for the final two weeks of training camp.

"The symptoms persist," trainer Lonnie Soloff said. "Cliff won't throw for seven to 10 days. Then we'll initiate a return-to-throw program. We're approaching it as a four-to-six week rehab."

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 1:39 PM CDT reply actions

Jeromy Burnitz retires...

Burnitz retires at 37 with 315 career home runs

I was also surprised to see that Phil Nevin is currently a free agent. You would think some team would want him as a DH/1B or righty power bat off the bench.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

White Sox

Normally I'd watch this but I'm currently in my Badger basketball mood. A mood that I hope lasts til the end of march.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Mar 11, 2007 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

Impressive team Badge

The Real Sports piece was nice.

by Tdogg on Mar 11, 2007 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Ack.

The game yesterday had me in fits but that's mostly because my Illini have about the worst offense I've EVER SEEN.

by defensive indifference on Mar 11, 2007 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

where's the bulls draft pick this year?

any chance they take kevin durant?

by The Wizard on Mar 11, 2007 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Miracle

Will take a miracle for the Bulls, even with the Knicks' likely lottery pick, to draw number 1 or number 2, which it will take to get Durant (or Oden).

If religion is the opiate of the masses, then I reckon I'm an addict.

by Toonderstrook on Mar 11, 2007 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Bulls

I also just checked .com's Futuristic Draft Lottery Machine Computer Thing, and it appears the Knickerfuckers have won enough games lately to take them out of the lottery.

If religion is the opiate of the masses, then I reckon I'm an addict.

by Toonderstrook on Mar 11, 2007 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

didn't the spurs had very bad chances

but they ended up with tim duncan?

by The Wizard on Mar 11, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope.

They had the third worst record and a 22% chance of getting the number one pick, second only to Boston's 28%. Although the Grizzlies finished with the worst record, it appears they didn't have a chance to get the first pick--probably something to do with expansion franchise rules.

If religion is the opiate of the masses, then I reckon I'm an addict.

by Toonderstrook on Mar 11, 2007 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks toonder

and durant looks so good...

by The Wizard on Mar 11, 2007 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Why is it that Adam Russell...

appears to have better stuff and better control than our more hyped-up pitching prospects? Just from watching these guys pitch, I would assume that Russell is our #2 pitching prospect after Danks.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 3:53 PM CDT reply actions

Because it's just one game?

He got absolutely shelled in a previous outing.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Mar 11, 2007 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I never saw his previous outing...

but he still looks like he has the best heat of any of our prospects. He was hitting 95 and 96 MPH and he seemed to have good movement on his pitches.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Anderson

Is that right? A hit and a BB in two PAs so far?

Nice to see him coming on strong.

by CWSKeith on Mar 11, 2007 4:09 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah...

a groundball single up the middle and a leadoff walk. His ST average is now up to .318 but I'm sure he could hit .500 and it still all comes down to what Ozzie wants to do with the roster.

On the other hand, Sweeney has looked brutal this spring. A year in AAA should do him right.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

something strange..

According to gameday, except for 1 PK ab and one BA ab, Every other at bat from both teams has featured a swing at the first pitch. Most of them have been put into play. Are they trying to finish up before the selection show? Obviously BA is fighting for a MLB job, he can't afford to give up AB's.

by bhoov on Mar 11, 2007 4:23 PM CDT reply actions

Stupid Gameday.

From the last few days that aside from strikeouts and walks, it looks like it always shows a 0-0 count following a plate appearance.

If religion is the opiate of the masses, then I reckon I'm an addict.

by Toonderstrook on Mar 11, 2007 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

they're not going to pay

to have somebody enter the gameday stuff for spring training games.

All ST the walks have been 4 pitch walk, the strikeouts have been 3 pitch strikeouts, and all balls in play have been made on the first pitch.

The official scorer is probably entering the gameday stuff and doesn't want to waste his time. He's entering the easiest/quickest possible outcome.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 11, 2007 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Heath Phillips needs to be traded soon...

he has no stuff but he changes speeds and gets guys to ground out. He would make a decent 5th starter on a starting pitching-starved / low-payroll team. He will never crack our rotation so Kenny needs to see what he can get for him.

Meanwhile, it's PARQUE TIME!!!

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

thanks!

that was kinda confusing!

by bhoov on Mar 11, 2007 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

Another hit for Anderson...

this time, a groundball liner through the 2B and 1B on into RF off of Jim Parque. Bases juiced...

Ground-rule double for Josh Fields knocks in 2 runs. 3-2 Mariners.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:35 PM CDT reply actions

Sac fly by Molina scores Fields = 3-3 tie game.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Valido with an infield hit scores another run...

4-3 Sox.

This is definitely the Jim Parque I remember.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Sweeney with a double off the wall to score Valido

5-3 Sox.

Parque is being yanked.

The Sox just ended any hopes of Jim Parque making his MLB comeback.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Eduardo Perez with an RBI single...

he damn-well better make the roster. He owns lefties.

6-3 Sox.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Paulo Orlando with a 2-run blooper to LCF...

8-3 Sox.

Finally, an inning-ending groundout.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Anderson/Fields/Sweeney

future coming through...

rbi double by sweeney.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Mar 11, 2007 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

Brian Anderson's AVG is up to .348.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

Rowand

Hopefully that will put an end to Rowand coming back... Although, he and Anderson would be our best options at LF/CF.

One of the ESPN writers (Neyer/Olney/Crasnick) said it would take at least Thornton to bring him back, which would be terrible.

by krushcuts on Mar 11, 2007 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

ozzie using a pinch runner for BA

I was listening to farmer/singleton and farmer said something that BA made a gesture to ozzie like 'are you taking me out?' when ozzie replaced him with a pinch runner

did anyone saw what farmer was saying on tv?

was there anything?

by The Wizard on Mar 11, 2007 5:03 PM CDT reply actions

GRAND SALAMI

for the mariners

GO SOX!!!!

by marco054 on Mar 11, 2007 5:07 PM CDT reply actions

Wes Whisler is awful...

he gives up a grand slam after loading the bases.

8-7 Sox.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 5:07 PM CDT reply actions

Dude can't find the plate to save his life.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Konerko is ready for a monster season...

a bases loaded-bases clearing double down the left field line.

11-7 Sox.

by SSH2005 on Mar 11, 2007 5:25 PM CDT reply actions

Man...

I hate to put too much value in ST at-bats one way or the other. But BA looks good right now...maybe I was wrong. I hope I was wrong...

AIM: BrentBrookhouse http://www.badlefthook.com - a part of the SportsBlog Nation Family

by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 11, 2007 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

uh oh

looks like that "BA is our centerfielder" bandwagon is starting to fill up. but plenty of nice seats are now open on the "BA belongs in charlotte" bandwagon. i'm jumping - gotta stay ahead of the mindless mob. ;)

by larry on Mar 12, 2007 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Are you holding out hope

for the return of the only man capable of turning this team around, Aaron Rowand? :)

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Mar 12, 2007 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I scared my wife yesterday

when I referred to BA as Boy Crush. She asked if I was seriously attracted to him and I assured her it was only baseball assets I was interested in. Then I told her that Man Crush was a different story....

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Mar 12, 2007 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

ST ABs...

If they mean anything, 72-90 might be a stretch.
(See Dye, Thome, Iguchi)

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Mar 12, 2007 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Phil Rogers

I never realized what an idiot he is until I read the article he wrote about the sox possibly giving up joe crede and a relief pitcher for jon lieber and aaron rowand. if the sox trade crede, they could an ervin santana at the very least for him !!! if we got lieber we would have two starting pitchers who couldn't break a pane of glass with their fastballs---
Phil rogers should stick his nose where it belongs on the other side of town. they are the ones that can use a pitcher to replace prior!!

by BIG KLU on Mar 12, 2007 9:39 AM CDT reply actions

Rogers is just stirring the pot

I don't read anything from him or Moronotti. They have never been worth my time.

by RME JICO on Mar 12, 2007 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

You mean "Angie O'Plasty"

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Mar 12, 2007 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Russell

So I read this site fairly often and I don't think I have seen Russell mentioned much if at all. Does anyone know anything about him? His stuff looked pretty solid to me yesterday. Where is he likely to end up this year? Any word on whether Coop or anyone else with the Sox like his long term chances?

Something about all these big pitchers makes me feel good about the future.

by CatBrains on Mar 12, 2007 10:52 AM CDT reply actions

he only spent

a few months with the barons last year; he'd probably be set to start his season there. here's a good interview with him from futuresox.

http://www.futuresox.com/frontpage/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=358

by larry on Mar 12, 2007 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

vazquez for cy young?

mike at beyond the box score thinks so.

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/story/2007/3/12/71530/8416

by larry on Mar 12, 2007 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

Maybe...

...but he's using a PECOTA rating as part of his formula. The same PECOTA system predicting the Sox to go 72-90. Of course, if Aaron Rowand comes back, the prediction would change to 162-0.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Mar 12, 2007 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Blech

People have been predicting a breakout for Vazquez for years. I doubt it's going to happen. At this point, he clearly seems to be a pitcher that "underperforms" his peripherals. Not to mention that his HR rate was abnormally low last season. If that ticks back up to his career norm, he'll do well just to post a 4.8 ERA again.

All that being said, I'm glad he signed the new contract. a 4.8 ERA and 200 innings in the AL (and in US Cellular) is actually valuable. Even if he doesn't improve, it's a market value contract for a realtively short period of time. That's OK.

by hitlesswonder on Mar 12, 2007 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions

well

he has "broken out" before. he certainly won't be a consistent top-level starter but he could put together a year like he has once or twice in the past. which is sort of the point of the article. articles that debate real cy young candidates really aren't that interesting (hmmmm, 1. j. santana. 2. j santana 3. j santana. 4. the field - that's some compelling reading).

by larry on Mar 12, 2007 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

You have to admit

Vazquez was pretty unlucky last year. He had a ton of solid games at the end of the year with even a little offense would have resulted in a win.

His BABIP with RISP was .353 and was only .284 with no one on. If that first number comes down even half the difference, he is shaving a ton of runs off his ERA.

Vazquez will always seem better than he really is because of his high K rate and K/BB ratio. If his other stats matched those he would be a perennial 20 game winner.

by RME JICO on Mar 12, 2007 1:33 PM CDT reply actions

between now and the end of his contract

i think he'll have one spectacular year and three average-ish ones. considering he eats innings and is probably incapable of being a really bad pitcher (at least at this age), he's a pretty decent deal.

by larry on Mar 12, 2007 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions