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Even when Alexei Ramirez catches a break this season, he can't hang onto it.
Ramirez had an error removed from his record on Tuesday when Major League Baseball (correctly) reversed an earlier scoring decision from July 30. He was taken off the hook for John Hirschbeck screening him on a potential double-play ball during Andre Rienzo's debut in Cleveland, and the newly minted single caused Rienzo's ERA to rise from 2.95 to 4.42.
That evening, he committed three errors in the White Sox's extra-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers. It's been that kind of year, and Robin Ventura is sympathetic more than anything:
Ramirez committed three more errors in Tuesday night’s victory and has made 20 this season, which matches his career high. Ventura said Ramirez has dealt with non-baseball issues this season and those could have contributed.
Ramirez left the team in spring training for several days after his father-in-law passed away unexpectedly.
Because of the plays he sees Ramirez still making, Ventura doesn’t believe the veteran’s capabilities haven’t slowed down.
"He has a lot of other stuff going on," Ventura said. "It’s tough to deal with at times. That’s stuff that’s off the field. It’s hard to have him separate those two at times. I don’t see this repeating itself."
While any death can have an unforeseen and profound impact regardless of relation, this one can carry extra weight when "killed" takes the place of "passed away unexpectedly," as in Bruce Levine's report from last week.
Somehow, he's managed to recover at the plate amid these personal and professional crises. He's hitting .308/.325/.429 over the last two months, and will take an 11-game hitting streak with him as the team travels to Minnesota. Few things are easy to assess this year.
Terrerobytes
Avisail Garcia is eager to contribute, and the White Sox have to make sure that expectations don't get the best of everybody.
On a related note: The scouting report from my parents in right field says Garcia needs pants that fit him better, based on the number of times he hiked them up.
Hector Santiago was the latest to earn Peavy Points for pitching with a swollen face and the effects of a 102.7-degree fever. Robin Ventura had second thoughts about sending him out there, but it doesn't sound like Santiago would accept them.
It's been a while since we've had a really good Conor Gillaspie quote:
"As hard as this game is, it wouldn't surprise me to not get a hit for two more weeks."
Classic. Conor.
- Kenny Williams saying the same things about the White Sox as always - Southside Showdown
- White Sox' Kenny Williams wants full credit for half a team - SBNation.com
White Sox fans are familiar with Kenny Williams' manner of speaking, and the confusing, uncomfortable leaps it often entails. James at Southside Showdown combed through his statements and weighed their merit, but had to account for "That's Kenny" along the way.
But it's interesting the way Williams' presentation is viewed by a general baseball observer, and Steven Goldman (second link) qualifies. "Befuddled" would be one word to describe him:
Having applauded the hurlers, we turn to the reason the club is 46-72, the offense. The White Sox are 14th in a 15-team league in on-base percentage. At its most elemental, winning in baseball means scoring more runs than you allow. The Sox have scored 435 runs and allowed 513. For Williams to look at that differential and still kick back and say in essence, "Hey, I did my job," is akin to saying, "Whaddya want, I sold you half a car -- the good half, even." Either you get the whole package or the car doesn't go.
Our friend Carl Skanberg has a new comic strip. Create an account. Add him to your favorites. Download the app. Add him to your favorites. He is your favorite, isn't he?
And speaking of cartoons, here's Disco Demolition Night from Mike Veeck's point of view: