Sox better stop looking like jokers
Another ace presented himself to the White Sox on Friday night.
And once again, the Sox promptly folded.
Much like earlier tests against premier starting pitchers like Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill of the A's, Jered Weaver and Dan Haren of the Angels and David Price and James Shields of the Rays, the Sox didn't put up much of a fight against a top-flight starter, this time Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander, in a 9-3 loss at cold, rainy Comerica Park.
What in the world happened to that offense that batted .307 and averaged 6.9 runs over the first nine games of the season?
After getting just 3 runs and 6 hits off Verlander and two Detroit relievers Friday, the White Sox are batting a robust .201 over their last 11 games while averaging 2.9 runs.
I'm not going to dispute the time-tested “good pitching beats good hitting” theory, but the Sox had better figure out how to win 1-0, 2-1 or 3-2 before the season really goes down the drain.
Carlos Quentin hit 2 solo home runs off Verlander in the series opener and Paul Konerko also cleared the fence.
But that was it from an offense that again got nothing from Adam Dunn (0-for-4, 3 strikeouts), Alex Rios (0-for-4, 2 strikeouts), Gordon Beckham (0-for-3) and Brent Morel (0-for-3).
If you've already grown weary of watching the inaction and are devoting full attention to the Bulls and Blackhawks, take a bow. Then, take a look at these batting averages — Dunn's at .163, Rios is at .167, Beckham's at .213 and Morel's at .208.
Ozzie, your thoughts?
“Verlander is pretty tough,” the White Sox' manager told reporters after the eighth loss in nine games. “We battled. We fought from the first inning. But we came up short. We're fighting, but unfortunately we're playing pretty good ones.
“To win divisions, win titles, and the World Series, you have to beat aces, at least fight against them. That's what we did today, but good ballclubs will beat the aces and hopefully we start doing that.”
And when the offense is shut down, that's when the Sox' ace starting pitchers are expected to step up.
Mark Buehrle failed to do that against Verlander, and the workhorse left-hander allowed 6 runs on 8 hits in 5 innings.
Maybe somebody should remind Buehrle (1-2, 5.40 ERA) he's eligible for free agency at the end of the season. Of his first 5 starts, only one has been a quality effort.
sgregor@dailyherald.com