White Sox fail to execute in 4-2 loss to Indians
The White Sox were warned.
Last week, the day before they opened the regular season at Kansas City, manager Robin Ventura stressed the importance of playing clean baseball.
Ventura didn't necessarily care about the Sox losing seven of their last 10 games in spring training, but he wasn't happy with the overall quality of play.
"There was some sloppiness in there that we raised and took care of in some meetings," Ventura said. "You need to play better. This is the major leagues. If you are not going to play clean baseball, you are not going to have a chance to win."
Fast forward to Wednesday's game at Cleveland.
The White Sox were sloppy again, and they deserved the 4-2 loss against the Indians.
"We've got to play better to win ballgames," starting pitcher John Danks told reporters.
Danks (0-2) labored again, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits in 4⅔ innings while throwing 87 pitches.
The left-hander was victimized by catcher Geovany Soto's throwing error, which led to an unearned in the third inning.
In the fourth, third baseman Conor Gillaspie was unable to make a fairly routine play that allowed Jerry Sands to reach on an infield single. That opened the door for 2 more runs for the Indians.
Danks and the Sox' shaky defense do not deserve all the blame in this one.
The offense had plenty of opportunities to extend a three-game winning streak, but the execution was lacking.
Trailing 4-2 in the ninth inning, pinch-hitter Emilio Bonifacio drew a leadoff walk against Cody Allen, and Cleveland's closer hit the White Sox' next batter, Micah Johnson.
That brought Adam Eaton to the plate, but he failed to get a bunt down on three attempts and struck out.
"I'm not swinging the bat well," said Eaton, who is hitting .118 on the young season. "Even though I feel pretty good in there and am putting decent swings on the ball, I see if we get runners on second and third they have to make a decision with Melky (Cabrera), throw to him because Jose (Abreu) is on deck. Melky is a professional hitter who can drive in two runs and tie the game and now we're rolling.
"Say he gets a hit and we have runners on first and third and Jose is up, another run is going to get in. But it all starts with me and when I don't get it done, it is what it is."
Cabrera grounded into a fielder's choice and Abreu struck out to end the game.
The Sox were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.