Tight-lipped Jenks finally goes on record
Bobby Jenks was talking again Tuesday.
For the past few weeks, the White Sox' closer had no interest in discussing his consecutive string of retired batters. Jenks set down 41 in a row, tying San Francisco's Jim Barr (1972) for the major-league record.
On Monday night, the Kansas City Royals' Joey Gathright ended Jenks' bid to make history with a leadoff single in the ninth inning.
While insisting he's not overly superstitious, Jenks did admit his vow of silence during the run extended beyond the media.
"I wasn't talking about it with anybody,'' Jenks said. "(Monday) night and today, I was calling everybody back because I wasn't answering my phone. Other than that, I left the same time every day, at home and on the road. I didn't eat the same things every day or anything like that. I wasn't that bad.''
Jenks was exceptional during the streak, lowering his ERA from 3.89 to 2.92 while saving eight games.
Jenks became the only rookie in major-league history to save the clinching game of the World Series in 2005. The 26-year-old reliever -- claimed off waivers from the Angels on Dec. 17, 2004 -- also has been to the last two All-Star Games.
"I've had an unbelievable couple of years, and to have this done so early is kind of weird,'' said Jenks, who is making just $400,000 this season. "Everything has happened all at once. It is almost like, 'What's next? What can I do now for next year?'æ''
For as impressive as his streak was, Jenks was disappointed he didn't beat Barr's record.
"I saw it all last night and in my head,'' Jenks said. "I couldn't sleep for a little while.
"They say that records are meant to be broken. To share something like that, obviously I wanted it to myself. But being able to share it is nice.''
Trainer's room: According to White Sox trainer Herm Schneider, injured utility man Pablo Ozuna is "progressing very well.''
Ozuna has been sidelined since late May with a fractured right fibula and a torn right deltoid ligament. Ozuna said there is a chance he could be back in September.
On Tuesday, Ozuna had his first "outside'' workout, playing catch and taking some slow groundballs.
"He has started jogging and is working toward overcoming his final hurdle -- running,'' Schneider said.
Welcome back: A day after being optioned to Class AAA Charlotte to make room for new relief pitcher Mike Myers, outfielder/infielder Andy Gonzalez was back with the White Sox on Tuesday.
Gonzalez is filling in for Alex Cintron, who was placed on the bereavement list. Cintron, batting .217 in limited play with the Sox this season, also was on the bereavement list from April 22-26 and May 12-15.