Guillen appreciates Swisher's candid talk
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Nick Swisher should have been happy.
After all, his RBI single in the ninth inning Monday lifted the White Sox to a 9-8 Cactus League victory over the Seattle Mariners.
It was the second walk-off hit of the spring for Swisher, but he wasn't happy with his own heroics.
Rather, the Sox' outspoken outfielder was upset with some of his current teammates for letting an 8-3 lead slip in the top of the ninth.
"I love the way Nick Swisher reacted after the game,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen on Tuesday. "It was something we needed, not coming from me every day.
"When we're having a bad game and it has to come from the manager, it can get old. But when it comes from the players, it's something I appreciate.''
Swisher stayed back at Sox camp Tuesday, but the day before he obviously had some words for minor-league relief pitcher Oneli Perez, who allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits and a walk in the ninth inning while recording only one out.
"I hope the (players) understand where Nick Swisher is coming from,'' Guillen said. "I don't want anybody to get upset, because we're here to win and we're here together.
"But when you see some stuff that shouldn't be on the field, one of the players has to say something, and he did. Like I've said, we have to push the button right here in spring training, and that's what we're doing right now.
"Coming from me, I think it's unfair for the player because I know they're trying. I know they want to do the best for themselves and for me. But in the meanwhile it got to the point where it was a little bit embarrassing. (Swisher) told people how he felt.
"Last year, we lost a lot of games late, and I don't expect the same thing to happen again this year. We're not going to take anything for granted. Those losses hurt, and they can carry over for weeks. We're trying to avoid those tough losses.''
Back in action: After missing his last start with the flu, Gavin Floyd was back on the mound Tuesday. The right-hander pitched 4 innings against the Texas Rangers and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits.
"You don't really plan on getting sick,'' said Floyd, the White Sox' projected No. 5 starter. "I wanted to keep working on the same things I had been working on, which is rhythm, tempo and see the mitt and throw it.
"Missing those days threw me off course a little bit, but I was happy to get that rhythm and just attack the hitters.''
Cuts coming: The White Sox are expected to make their first roster cuts today. They currently have 51 players in camp.
"I want to clear the clubhouse as soon as possible,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I want the guys together for a good two weeks so they can start getting to know each other.''
Rangers 7, White Sox 5 (10)
White Sox' record: 7-9
At the plate: Brian Anderson hit a 2-run homer and walked twice. Alexei Ramirez had 2 doubles and an RBI. Josh Fields had 2 hits and 3 strikeouts.
On the mound: Starter Gavin Floyd pitched 4 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits. Mike MacDougal pitched a scoreless inning. Matt Anderson allowed a 2-run homer to Nelson Cruz in the bottom of the 10th.
Next: Javier Vazquez starts against the Rockies today in Tucson.
-- Scot Gregor