Sox lose, offensive output infinitely better than Saturday, still sucks

by The Cheat on Apr 29, 2007 4:43 PM CDT in White Sox Game Recaps

The Angels came to Chicago short two of their regulars and with just one victory on the road all year. They tripled their road victory total by the end of the weekend, all while White Sox starting pitching recorded 3 Quality Starts.

In addition to watching the Sox waste two perfectly good pitching performances, we had to watch them get out-fundamentaled at the plate and on the bases. On Saturday, the Sox couldn't score in an inning where they strung together 3 singles. On Sunday they couldn't even get a (gift) runner home from second with nobody out. Meanwhile, the Angels twice turned runners on second into runs in a matter of mere pitches.

With 2 outs in the 5th inning, Orlando Cabrera hit a seeing eye single through the hole on a 1-2 pitch. After two pickoff throws, he stole second on first move. The next pitch plated a run on a single up the middle by Macier Izturis, who had homered earlier in the game. In the 9th, a leadoff single and a perfectly executed bunt -- we complain about bunts a lot in the gamethreads, but that's probably because we never see them executed as easily as Reggie Willits demonstrated in the 9th -- put a runner in scoring position. Guillen called for an intentional walk to Sarge Jr, and the next pitch moved over the runners on a swinging bunt. One pitch later, both runners scored on a bloop to right field.

I believe the preceding paragraph is what "Ozzieball" is supposed to be. Not that we'd know, having so rarely seen it from the hometown team. In fact, I'll challenge you to find any example of the Sox playing "Ozzieball" successfully in a close game where 1 run makes a difference this season.

Without Thome, and with Konerko and Dye struggling around the Mendoza line, this offense is the worst in the American League. I know they still rank ahead of the Athletics, but it's only a matter of time now until they're passed.

As predicted yesterday, Brian Anderson was optioned to AAA Charlotte following the game. A corresponding roster move will be made prior to Tuesday's game against Seattle. I assume it will be Josh Fields, who will DH against Washburn with Ozuna playing LF.

Just to add to the good news, Lance Broadway was pulled from his AAA start after just two pitches. And no, he can't hit LHP.

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Comments

i'll take fields or perez

by larry on Apr 29, 2007 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think it will be Josh Fields...

Kenny must have opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for a reason and Josh Fields is already on the 40-man. I think it's Eduardo Perez. Kenny and Ozzie really liked Perez in Spring Training and they even tried to trade someone (Mackowiak?) to make room for him on the opening day roster. Also, Fields is cold at AAA with a .218 AVG and .726 OPS. Now, we have a massive hole at DH and we still suck against lefties. Perez is still available for next to nothing so he makes perfect sense. I see Fields on target to be our 3rd baseman to start the 2008 season after Crede is traded in the offseason.

by SSH2005 on Apr 29, 2007 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions

the rogowski move

is somewhat puzzling. it happened on wednesday, so before thome was hurt again on friday. obviously it gives us the flexibility to get someone like perez but drawing a connection to that isn't exactly a straight line.

by larry on Apr 29, 2007 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Good summary, Cheat.

You get right to the desperation. Close game, bottom of 4th,the Angels tied the game in their half, Konerko on 1st. Pierzynski hits the f-ing dugout on a bunt attempt. The DUGOUT! Then he quickly strikes out. The start of another wasted opportunity.

Is AJ too good to learn how to bunt? I saw Joe Mauer sacrifice bunt last week.

Ozzie, you need to start really DEMANDING some grinding from these guys.

by ballyb on Apr 29, 2007 4:55 PM CDT reply actions

Without Thome

If Thome would have been in that game - we'd all be throwing HIS name under the bus too...'cuz he would done the same (nothing) as JD and Paulie.

He's just lucky he was on the DL...

In all honesty though (the Truth) :-)
Our beloved Sox ALL need some kind of re-energizing....

But the BIG boys ($$$) need to set the example.
And it shouldn't take Ozzie OR Walker to do it.

by The Truth has left the building on Apr 29, 2007 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

continuing the 'trade for an OF/DH' from the game

...thread

how about scot hairston?

by The Wizard on Apr 29, 2007 5:41 PM CDT reply actions

Hairston would be an upgrade

He might be a AAAA player though. He'd cost less than Murton, more than Jones, which we discussed in the gamethread.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 29, 2007 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

another fjm classic

[fjm]

Barry (winston salem, NC): What do you think about the recent Giant's run? Do you think that they can compete in the west?

Joe Morgan: What I really think is that I'm surprised. I'm surprised because I didn't think their offense was good enough, but that shows the impact Barry has on the lineup. He makes everyone else in the lineup better just by being in the lineup. But I am surprised that they've been able to score like they have.

This is truly wonderful. Joe is surprised that the Giants have been able to score like they have. Listen to me very carefully:

As of right now, the San Francisco Giants are last in the Major Leagues in runs scored.

Dead. Last. 30th out of 30 teams.

by The Wizard on Apr 29, 2007 6:12 PM CDT reply actions

for those of us

who plan our lives around the sox, be aware that wednesday's game has been moved to a day game (2:35), due to seattle flying across the country to a makeup with the red sox.

by larry on Apr 29, 2007 6:14 PM CDT reply actions

Honestly,

shouldn't offense be easier to fix than pitching? If the Sox keep getting quality starts from their pitchers, and losing winnable games (and assuming their offense still struggles), won't Ozzie FORCE them into small-ball, doing all the little things that they're butchering now?

by ballyb on Apr 29, 2007 6:48 PM CDT reply actions

Terrero likely to be called up

According to Merkin...that should fix things.

by hitlesswonder on Apr 29, 2007 7:48 PM CDT reply actions

you've got to be kidding.

that's kenny's solution? this is complete bullshit.

by longdrive on Apr 29, 2007 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

KW - "We like the guys we got."

by ballyb on Apr 29, 2007 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Terrero would be a pathetic addition to our team,

especially with our current needs (a farking DH) and the fact that Eduardo Perez is available for next to nothing.

by SSH2005 on Apr 30, 2007 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Just got back

from the Charlotte-Durham game.

No word on what fell Broadway, but rumor is he had a stiff back. His 2nd pitch was a 75 MPH fastball.

Just so you know how bad the IL is right now. Willie Harris is currently 3rd in the league in OPS and TIMO! is 7th. Charlotte has a team OPS of .651 playing in a bandbox.

I don't think I can say anything good about any of the hitters on the Knights. Fields looks terrible and disinterested. He made 3 routine fielding errors last night and he struck out in 6 of 8 at bats. I haven't been sold on him since I saw him in W-Salem in '04, but someone really needs to give him a wake-up call before he goes the way of the Jeremy Reed's of the world. Terrero has an OBP around .250 and Rogowski is hitting under .150 and is likely eating himself out of AAA. I still like Andy Gonzalez as a utility guy and I'm glad he got a taste of the bigs.

I did like what I saw from reliever Ehren Wasserman. He has a tough sidearm-like delivery that is tough on righties. Could have a little bit of value there. Journeyman reliever Bret Prinz could also be a decent reliever for the Sox if need be, but the pen really isn't our biggest concern at the moment. Haeger looked very poor yesterday, but you can never get a good feel for a knuckler from just one viewing.

by Bull Pain on Apr 29, 2007 8:08 PM CDT reply actions

Wasserman

Has always had intriguing splits, a good ROOGY can have value if they are employed correctly. I don't know if the Sox have the management to pick the right spots and the discipline to not extend a righty-killer out of his comfort zone.

I'm getting the feeling that the Sox minor league hitting instruction needs to be re-examined. I know hitting big league pitching is hard, but I don't see any hope for getting a big-league bat from the minors until maybe Cunningham. Drafting and scouting obviously play a role in that. But the Sox look to have had 3 recent high profile first round picks in Borchard, Anderson, and Fields that will likely have failed to develop into major league hitters. It's a pretty dismal record.

by hitlesswonder on Apr 29, 2007 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Wasserman's delivery

I took a video of it a couple weeks ago. And here's a still frame, since YouTube muddied the video.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Apr 29, 2007 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions

When Broadway threw....

the one fastball at 75mph, did he locate it well?

Because from my baseball experience, he may be in a TINY bit of trouble with that velocity.

by TheKMan1 on Apr 29, 2007 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions

not to make excuses

because I've generally been critical of Mr. Fields, but I'd be willing to bet he had a good idea what was going on with the big club these last few days, especially in that 3-error game, which was when Sweeney was a late scratch.

You can almost see the disinterest in his stats though. I want to say that he's only put 2 balls in play during his last 11 trips to the plate; 6 strikeouts, 3 walks, a double, and flyout.

I still would rather call him up to take a walk or two against Washburn, rather than watch Luis Terrero try to swing for the fences or Sweeney struggle against another southpaw.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 29, 2007 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Anderson's swing is just fine. Whatever

According to Walker, Anderson's swing is in good shape, and he turned in some impressive batting practice sessions during the season's first month. In Anderson's limited role, though, many of those days when he was feeling good were spent on the bench.

by southsideirish71 on Apr 29, 2007 8:44 PM CDT reply actions

Walker was wearing blinders on Thursday.

by ballyb on Apr 29, 2007 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Wednesday.

by ballyb on Apr 29, 2007 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm still unsure

of BA's sin that has him cast back to the minors.

Wasn't the idea for him to continue to develop at the big league level?

Wasn't Erstad suppose to be a role player like Mack and Pablo?

I'm guessing BA isn't enough of a grinder for Ozzie's liking. If that's his only sin, then they are doing BA and the organization a disservice.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Apr 30, 2007 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

We may never know.

Personalities, it seems.

It was sad to watch at the end. They seemed to have a plan to destroy him mentally - and succeeded.

Very strange - might have something to do with McCarthy and alleged romance.

by ballyb on Apr 30, 2007 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Gay? Es bato?

Or do you mean he stole B-Mac's chick?

If so, it seems to have affected B-Mac negativley, too - he's getting shelled.

by winningugly on Apr 30, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions

The latter.

by ballyb on Apr 30, 2007 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

The BASTARD!

Well, the Annies in AAA aren't as nice as in the Show. Eat THAT, BA!

by winningugly on Apr 30, 2007 12:26 PM CDT reply actions

I would guess

that the southern belles that hang around the Knights are mighty fine.

by ballyb on Apr 30, 2007 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

How much do guys want to bet...

That Luis Terrero

Stays on the big club the rest of the year and gets 250+ plate appearances
Provides absolutely nothing offensively

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 30, 2007 12:41 PM CDT reply actions

I bet $2 it doesn't happen.

by ballyb on Apr 30, 2007 1:00 PM CDT reply actions

Regier on Broadway

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=218

"We don't think it's anything serious and he was removed for precautionary reasons," Sox farm director Alan Regier said. "He couldn't get full extension on his pitches. It wasn't bad while he was warming up, but once the game intensity picked up we decided to take him out and see what's going on."

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 30, 2007 4:05 PM CDT reply actions