White Sox fall again, but at least they score
Manager Robin Ventura said overall frustration with the Chicago White Sox' popgun offense was not the reason he was ejected during Wednesday night's 3-2 loss to the Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field.
Ventura insists he was tossed because he was frustrated by home-plate umpire Alfonso Marquez for calling out Melky Cabrera on batter's interference while Adam Eaton was stealing second base.
"Every time we get an explanation about interpretation, we're always on the wrong side of it," Ventura said. "You get tired of that."
Clearly, Ventura also is getting tired of watching the Sox swing the bats day in and day out. While the loss to Pittsburgh was their sixth in a row, at least the White Sox managed to cross home plate.
Cabrera's RBI double in the sixth snapped a 30-inning scoreless streak. Avisail Garcia's single scored Cabrera, but it wasn't enough to overcome the 3 runs the Pirates scored off John Danks in the first inning.
"You get tired of tipping your cap," Ventura said. "Eventually, you've got to be able to answer back to the best pitchers in the game. We're going to face pitchers just like this (Pittsburgh starter Jeff Locke) and we're going to face better ones. You have to be able to answer the bell and mount something that's going to be a little more than what we're doing right now.
"We feel confident the pitching's going to come around and you're going to be able to be in games. But you have to be able to score. You have to be able to move them around the bases and hit them over the fence."
The White Sox haven't done much of either during a losing streak that could very well be the forerunner to massive changes.
"We have to be careful not to fall too deep because that could be trouble for us." Cabrera said through translator. "Right now, it's a tough moment for everybody. The offense is not right there where it's supposed to be. We have tried some things, we have been working so hard and the offense is just not happening right now."
First is worst:
After falling behind the Pirates early, the White Sox have been outscored 56-19 in the first inning.
The 56 runs allowed are the most in the major leagues.
"I wish we had an answer for it," said starter John Danks, who pitched 6 scoreless innings against Pittsburgh after allowing 3 runs in the first. "We're not trying to dig a hole early, but that's the way it's been.
"It's certainly something we've talked about and are working on. We want our guys to feel comfortable and having to battle back each day is tough. We'll keep working on it, but I don't have an answer for it. It just happens."
Danks said the Sox are trying to stay confident despite losing six straight.
"We feel like we're going to win every game," Danks said. "We have the guys to do it, but we're just not doing it. We're not playing consistent baseball and hopefully that will turn around tomorrow. It's definitely frustrating. No one likes to lose and hopefully we can turn it around."