White Sox’ Lillibridge done with broken hand
Brent Lillibridge’s breakout season is over.
The White Sox’ super utility man was hit by a pitch on the right hand in the seventh inning of Thursday night’s 8-1 win over the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field, and he is out for the season.
Lillibridge had a difficult time containing his emotions and tears after the game.
“I was blessed to do so well and I just wanted to finish the season,” Lillibridge said. “It’s frustrating because we’re coming to the end of the season and I was getting a chance to play and do some damage.”
Lillibridge made 18 starts in right field, 12 at first base, 8 in center field, 7 in left and 1 at second base.
He hit 6 home runs in August and finishes the season with a .258 batting average, 13 home runs and 29 RBI.
“He helped us a lot,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He helped make the club a lot better.”
Morel goes deep: Brent Morel plays solid defense at third base for the White Sox, and he steadily has raised his average to .258 after batting just .203 in April.Moving forward, Morel needs to pick it up in two departments #8212; power and patience.Heading into Thursday night#146;s game, Morel had just 3 home runs and 10 walks in 349 at-bats.Following the Sox#146; win over the Indians at rainy U.S. Cellular Field, Morel has 5 homers.The 24-year-old infielder helped keep the first-place Tigers#146; magic number at 12 with a solo home run in the third inning and a 3-run shot in the seventh.Paul Konerko followed Morel#146;s second home run with his 10th career grand slam, tying him with Robin Ventura for most in franchise history.Konerko is a proven home run hitter. Morel needs to start driving more balls over the fence because he plays a position that demands power.#147;The last couple of weeks, he#146;s swinging the bat a lot better,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said of Morel. #147;The ball#146;s jumping off his bat right now.#148;Pierre milestone:Juan Pierre#146;s opposite-field single to left field in the third inning was the 2,000th hit of his career.Pierre became the 14th player to bag his 2,000th hit wearing a White Sox uniform. Paul Konerko accomplished the milestone Aug. 23.Before the game, Pierre downplayed the achievement.#147;It#146;s a big milestone, but I never put too much emphasis on it,#148; Pierre said. #147;Starting out a career, I was just grateful to be able to put on a major-league uniform. So to have that mark means you#146;ve been around a little bit and you#146;ve got some hits along the way.#147;Other than that, the bottom line is not too many people will remember it a year or two years from now. But definitely, just the work you put in, it#146;s pretty cool to get the accomplishment.#148;Thome tribute:Back with the Indians after being traded by the Minnesota Twins in an Aug. 25 waiver deal, Jim Thome was honored by the White Sox before Thursday night#146;s game at U.S. Cellular Field.Thome, on Aug. 15, became only the eighth player in history to hit 600 career home runs.#147;It#146;s kind of been a blur, to be honest,#148; he said. #147;There was the home run and then the trade, so nothing#146;s really sunken in yet. But it#146;s good to be back here. This is where I started and there are a lot of great memories.#148;Thome broke in with Cleveland in 1991 and stayed with the Indians until 2002.Staying alive:The White Sox realize it#146;s going to take a miracle to catch Detroit, which leads the AL Central by 8frac12; games with less than three weeks to play.#147;I#146;m not out until I#146;m out,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said. #147;I say that over and over. As long as we are still there, I believe we are going to get there. We know we are in a very, very tough spot.#148;sgregor@dailyherald.comBBA38282802Brent Lillibridge reacts after being hit by a pitch in the seventh inning. He suffered a broken hand and will miss the rest of the season.Associated PressBBA