Let’s hear it at least for Crain, Reed
I’ve wasted too much space over the last few weeks on the negative.
These days there really aren’t many different ways to describe the White Sox’ struggles over the last month. We’ve covered most of it.
Can’t hit, can’t catch, our pets’ heads are falling off. Blah, and more blah.
Today, I’m focusing on a couple of positive things, because I can. And because you could use the break.
Jesse Crain:For the first time since April 12, Crain gave up a run. That#146;s 29 straight scoreless appearances, and for any type of pitcher that#146;s an exceptional run.And, heck, the runs he did give up Sunday weren#146;t even earned. Though he was responsible for 1 of 2 errors in that inning, had the defense done its job we#146;d be talking about a streak of 30.Because he isn#146;t a closer and because he happens to be on a team that#146;s horribly disappointing, Crain#146;s streak didn#146;t received a lot of attention. But it should have.Essentially, his effort for what has been a good bullpen #151; which has complemented a solid pitching staff #151; has largely been wasted. He also may very well have played himself onto a contending team with the trade deadline a little more than a month away.So, job well done, Jesse Crain. It#146;s unfortunate your performance hasn#146;t gone to better use.Addison Reed:Like Crain, Reed#146;s season is going fairly unnoticed, not to mention squandered.At 24, he#146;s the second-youngest pitcher in White Sox history to reach the career 50-save mark (Terry Forster was 22), and he has picked up 21 of those this season for a team that only has won seven games in about the month.Hitters are only batting .194 off him, and he#146;s fourth in the American League in Wins Above Replacement for a reliever (Crain is first, by the way).How many contending teams would kill to have two guys like that in the back end of the bullpen?With great relief pitching as difficult as it is to find, you really wish the Sox were able to reap the rewards of theirs.Regardless, it has been enjoyable to watch these two pitch.ŸOne last thing #133;A personal thanks to Jake Peavy for the organization of Sunday night#146;s charity event at Joe#146;s on Weed St., where the money raised will benefit Stand Up To Cancer, an organization doing good work in cancer research.Obviously, the event had nothing to do with me or my family, but having a dad who has been living with multiple myeloma #151; a form of blood cancer #151; for the last several years, I appreciate the effort of anyone who invests their time, cash or energy into similar causes. That includes all of Sunday#146;s attendees.I know well how many cancer organizations provide various forms of support for families, whether it be simple monetary assistance or pushing for the acceleration of FDA approval of groundbreaking cancer drugs.The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation has been important for my parents in that regard, and I also can#146;t thank them enough.You can thank them, too, at TheMMRF.org.ŸChris Rongey is the host of the White Sox pregame and postgame shows on WSCR 670-AM The Score. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRongey and at chrisrongey.com. Subscriber Total Access members can email him questions each week via our online link.