Contreras has shot as dubious 20 losses
There was a time, not so long ago, when Jose Contreras was a steady winner.
The White Sox' veteran starting pitcher beat the New York Yankees on Aug. 21, 2005, and didn't lose again until July 14, 2006, when the Yankees were also involved in the decision.
In between, Contreras strung together a franchise-record 17 wins, establishing himself as the Sox' ace in the process.
Times have changed, for the worst.
Contreras started against the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday afternoon and took the loss after pitching 6 innings and allowing 4 runs on 6 hits.
In addition to falling to 6-16 on the season, Contreras has lost 9 straight starts.
"I know Jose real well, and I know how he feels,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "This kid has a lot of pride.''
Contreras also has a lot of losses, and he's making a bid to become the first Sox pitcher to lose 20 games since knuckleballer Wilbur Wood went 16-20 in 1975.
"I've always been a winner, in Cuba, here in the States,'' Contreras said through a translator. "It's just been a bad year.''
It got worse when Contreras allowed 2 runs in the first inning and 2 more in the second.
"The biggest problem for him was location,'' Guillen said. "He walked guys and they scored. After the second inning, he settled down a little bit.''
Contreras is still convinced he'll turn it around, either this season or next.
"My arm feels great,'' he said. "The last 2 starts, maybe a pitch here or there and it would have been different. I'll be able to put it together again because I feel great.''
Feeling bad: Scott Podsednik was not in the starting lineup Wednesday, a day after he strained his right rib-cage muscle. But the injury-prone left fielder was able to pinch run in the ninth inning after Jim Thome reached on a two-out single.
If Podsednik is unable to swing a bat -- he was on the disabled list from July 2-23 with a strained left rib-cage muscle -- the White Sox are expected to make a roster move.
"I'm real short on the bench,'' said manager Ozzie Guillen.
If Podsednik can't hit today or Friday, Ryan Sweeney is likely to come up from Class AAA Charlotte.
Looking out for No. 1: Aaron Poreda, the White Sox' first-round pick in this year's draft, is 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in his last 4 starts for Advanced Rookie Great Falls. The big left-hander has allowed just 1 earned run over his last 19½ innings.
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today; Channel 9 Friday and Sunday; Channel 32 Saturday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' John Danks (6-11) vs. Josh Beckett (15-5) today at 7:11 p.m.; Jon Garland (8-9) vs. Curt Schilling (7-5) Friday at 7:11 p.m.; Mark Buehrle (9-8) vs. Tim Wakefield (15-10) Saturday at 2:55 p.m.; Javier Vazquez (11-6) vs. Jon Lester (2-0) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
At a glance: While the White Sox are tied with the Royals for last place in the AL Central, the Red Sox have the most wins and best road record in baseball. Boston won three of four against the White Sox at Fenway Park in late July. Heading into Wednesday night's game against the Devil Rays, the Red Sox had the lowest ERA (3.78) in the league. Despite being a disappointment in the standings, the White Sox have played in front of at least 30,000 at U.S. Cellular Field in 38 of their last 40 games.
Next: Tampa Bay Devil Rays at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday
-- Scot Gregor