White Sox getting hit at an alarming rate

The White Sox have shown little or no fight all season.

It’s a major reason why they are playing out the string and considered one of baseball’s most disappointing teams.

There is still time to throw a punch, and the Indians are the obvious target.

The Sox entered Tuesday’s day-night doubleheader at Cleveland leading the major leagues in getting hit by pitches at 78.

White Sox pitchers hit opposing batters 41 times, the third-lowest total in the American League.

In fairness, Carlos Quentin stands right on top of the plate and always gets hit. Juan Pierre has a similar style and also pays the price.

But since July 31, Paul Konerko was hit on the left side of the knee by Boston’s Andrew Miller, Kansas City’s Bruce Chen fractured A.J. Pierzynski’s left wrist and Cleveland’s Josh Judy broke Brent Lillibridge’s right hand to end his season.

In Game 2 Tuesday — the Sox won 5-4 after dropping the opener 4-3 — Judy hit Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez with pitches in the ninth inning. Zach Putnam nailed Konerko in the seventh, and the White Sox’ captain slammed his bat in disgust.

In Game 1, Indians starter Fausto Carmona hit Ramirez with a pitch.

So that is 82 times the Sox have been hit this season, opposed to 41 against.

Sox TV broadcaster Ken Harrelson screamed for retaliation after Judy hit Ramirez in Game 2, and manager Ozzie Guillen was visibly angry.

But it was a 1-run game heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, and White Sox reliever Chris Sale did not respond.

We’ll see what happens Wednesday night, when Mark Buehrle gets the start against the Indians.

Guillen appeared to cool down after Game 2.

“Obviously I was upset, but I don’t think they were throwing at them,” Guillen told reporters. “They (Putnam, Judy) are a bunch of kids that came up from the minor leagues. You can’t do anything about it … just run to first base.

“I don’t think they were throwing at them — I doubt they were throwing at them. I wish they didn’t, but they did. That’s part of the game.”

Before the doubleheader, Guillen answered a familiar question about his future, and it was played up like a major breaking story.

Give Ozzie credit for being consistent — he is always honest and he always answers questions, even if they are repetitive.

To rehash, Guillen is signed through 2012, but he would like an extension to avoid entering next year with lame-duck status.

Guillen is leaving for Spain a week from Friday and would like to know his future. He has been saying the same thing for weeks.

“I know my switch will be off right away (at season’s end) because I don’t want to spend time with my wife thinking about baseball and thinking about the future,” Guillen told reporters.

“The future, only two Gods know — Jerry’s God and the real God. They know if my future is here or somewhere else.”

Jerry is Jerry Reinsdorf, the White Sox’ longtime chairman.

The thought of Reinsdorf extending Guillen as one of the worst seasons in White Sox history comes to a merciful close seems laughable.

On the other hand, Reinsdorf has a tight relationship with his manager, and he might be the most loyal owner in professional sports.

It is going to be very interesting to see how this plays out, and Guillen is as prepared to return as he is to be fired or even traded, with the Florida Marlins a possible destination.

sgregor@dailyherald.com