High time for White Sox to shut down Peavy
We’ll overlook the fact that Jake Peavy probably faced tougher lineups when he was in the Padres’ system pitching for Class AAA Mobile in 2002.
It’s not Peavy’s fault the Twins trotted out hitters named Joe Benson, Trevor Plouffe, Chris Parmelee and my personal favorite, Brian Dinkelman.
Peavy was good Tuesday night in the White Sox’ 3-0 win over Minnesota at Target Field.
The Sox’ 30-year-old starter pitched 6⅓ shutout innings and scattered 4 hits. Even better, he showed some flashes of the old Peavy with 9 strikeouts.
Good job, Jake. Now take a seat.
Mathematically, the White Sox are still alive in the AL Central race.
But let’s be honest here — the Tigers proved they are the better team while sweeping a critical three-game series from the Sox over the weekend at Comerica Park.
Detroit kept rolling Tuesday with a lopsided victory over the Indians. The Tigers have won five straight and hold an 8-game lead over the White Sox.
Detroit’s magic number to clinch the division is 14.
While the Sox still have some faint hope, they’d need to miraculous finish to catch the Tigers.
Peavy is a gamer, but he hasn’t been 100 percent all year after having radical surgery to repair a detached lat on July 14, 2010.
At U.S. Cellular Field last week, Peavy also faced the Twins and was clearly ineffective while allowing 6 runs in 5 innings.
The right-hander placed much of the blame on the wind blowing out at the Cell. But toward the end of his interview, a weary Peavy was clearly looking forward to shutting it down.
“I feel fine,” Peavy said. “But my right arm, it’s not back to how it always has been. I can’t wait to get to the winter. I’ve been going as hard as I can possibly go since August of last year with rehab and starting a throwing program.
“I’m rundown. I’ll try to finish these last few out strong and when the off-season does roll around, regroup. Just have a normal one.”
Peavy did work hard last winter to come back from the lat surgery, and he was rehabilitating an ankle injury two winters ago.
His body is a wreck, so why not let it heal properly now instead of waiting until the end of the year?
Don’t the White Sox realize Peavy has a $17 million salary coming in 2012?
“I’m looking forward to the time to let the body heal,” Peavy said. “In the latter part of October and November, I’ll gradually build up like I did after every season. I truly can’t wait.”
Phil Humber is back from the disabled list, and he pitched 7 shutout innings against the decimated Twins in Game 1 of a doubleheader Monday.
In Game 2, Zach Stewart had a perfect game going until Danny Valencia led off the eighth with a double.
The Sox have enough arms in the rotation to finish out the season, just another reason Peavy should be shut down.
sgregor@dailyherald.com