White Sox just hoping for some needed relief

Posted August 23, 2010 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

Before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams tried to land a left-handed power hitter.

When that plan fell through - Lance Berkman invoked his no-trade clause and wound up going to the Yankees, and the asking price for Adam Dunn was deemed too high - Williams settled for a starting pitcher, Edwin Jackson.

In retrospect, the Sox' GM should have added a relief pitcher, maybe even two or three.

The White Sox have been steadily falling in the AL Central, and the bullpen's inability to shut down the opposition is the main reason they've lost 9 of 13 and are 18-19 since the all-star break heading into Tuesday night's game against the Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I worry every time I pick up the phone," manager Ozzie Guillen said of his calls to the pen. "Our bullpen's been outstanding all year long. Right now they've hit a little bump."

In reality, Sox relievers have hit the wall.

They are beat up, worn out and trying to come through in unfamiliar roles. Considering the White Sox are smack-dab in the middle of a pennant race, that's a bad combination.

"The day off (Monday) will definitely be a good day off, that's for sure," J.J. Putz said Sunday, before the Sox went out and lost another close one to the Royals in extra innings at Kauffman Stadium.

When they return to play against Baltimore, this is what the back end of the White Sox' bullpen looks like:

• Bobby Jenks. The up-and down closer missed a week with back spasms that threatened to send him to the disabled list.

Jenks felt better when the White Sox opened a three-game series at Minnesota last Tuesday, and he actually fared very well.

Looking like he's ready to return to his customary closer role, Jenks made 3 appearances on the 2-4 road trip against the Twins and Royals.

The right-hander pitched a combined 41/3 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and no walks while striking out seven.

The highlight came Sunday, when Jenks threw 3 strong innings at Kansas City, piling up 42 pitches in the process.

Afterward, Jenks wasn't looking for any pats on the back.

"That's just being selfish," he said. "You need to look at this as we still lost the series. No matter how one individual did this series, we lost two, and that's the frustrating part.

"They were all close games, all 1-run games, and we were just short on two of them."

• Matt Thornton. The all-star reliever served up Jim Thome's 2-run, walk-off homer in the 10th inning at Target Field last Tuesday and hasn't pitched since.

Before Sunday's game against the Royals, Thornton said his sore left forearm doesn't "feel right." As for the treatment he has been getting, Thornton said: "It's not bouncing back good."

If he is still ailing Tuesday, Thornton is likely to land on the disabled list.

• J.J. Putz. On the Sox' last homestand, here's what one scout said about the right-handed reliever: "His body language on the mound is not good. He doesn't look healthy."

As it turned out, Putz was trying to pitch with a sore right knee. Maybe that explains why he blew 3 saves in as many tries while trying to cover for Jenks.

Putz, who has allowed 6 earned runs in his last 52/3 innings, said his knee is "feeling better."

• Sergio Santos. The rookie still looks like the Sox' future closer, but Santos has allowed runs in 2 of his last 3 outings.

With the Sox holding a 5-1 lead over the Royals in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader, Santos relieved Freddy Garcia with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning and was greeted by Yuniesky Betancourt's grand slam.

• Chris Sale. "Where did they find that kid?" a scout in Kansas City asked over the weekend.

It's been a familiar question.

While he is still a prime candidate to be in the White Sox' starting rotation in 2011, Sale has been dominant in the bullpen.

The rookie left-hander has made 6 appearances and allowed 1 run while striking out eight.

Considering he was pitching for Florida Gulf Coast University three months ago, the Sox are not going to ask Sale to do too much this season.

Scouting report

White Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Tuesday and Thursday; Channel 26 Wednesday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Gavin Floyd (8-10, 3.97 ERA) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (7-12, 3.97) Tuesday; Mark Buehrle (12-9, 3.87) vs. Brian Matusz (5-12, 4.97) Wednesday; Edwin Jackson (1-0, 1.35) vs. Jake Arrieta (4-5, 4.90) Thursday. All games 7:10 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox are coming off a frustrating 2-4 road trip to Minnesota and Kansas City that featured 3 losses in extra innings. Considering they lost three of four at Baltimore earlier this month while scoring 10 runs, the Sox should be highly motivated. Floyd has lost his last 2 starts while allowing 13 earned runs in 12 innings. The White Sox have lost their last five series.

Next: New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field, Friday-Sunday

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