Struggling Swisher dropped to 9-hole

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Nick Swisher hasn't been cutting it as a hitter for the White Sox so far.

In an attempt to snap out of a slump that's infected the rest of the Sox' hitters, Swisher chopped off most of his hair before Saturday night's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

"I don't know what else to do,'' Swisher said. "I mean, I feel good. The last couple of games we've faced some great pitching, but I guess this is just a fresh new start.''

It was the same old story for the White Sox' hitters in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Tampa Bay.

Facing Rays ace Scott Kazmir and five relief pitchers, the Sox managed just 4 hits, a double by Alexei Ramirez in the first inning, a single by Jermaine Dye in the fourth, a single by Toby Hall in the seventh and a single by Joe Crede in the ninth.

Swisher, who was dropped to the No. 9 spot in the order, walked in his first at-bat and was hitless in his final 2 at-bats. The switch-hitting outfielder/first baseman is batting .201.

During his three-plus seasons with the Oakland A's, where he batted a combined .251, Swisher said he never went through such a miserable stretch.

"Not this long, no,'' he said.

Acquired in a Jan. 3 trade for three of the White Sox' top minor-league prospects, Swisher admitted he's been pressing with his new team.

"I had made my mark in Oakland, then coming over here and trying to make such a huge impression to start off, maybe I tried a little too hard,'' Swisher said. "Those are the things I battle every day, trying to get yourself in the mindset of just trying to stay within yourself. I want to go out there and do the best I can every day, regardless if the results are there or not.

"I've been going out there and giving it 110 percent. I have to keep battling and grinding, hopefully things will start turning around for me.''

Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said it's obvious Swisher is trying too hard.

"I know he can do it,'' Guillen said. "It's all about him having his confidence back and doing it out there. I know he's working with (hitting coach) Greg Walker doing a lot of different things. But right now it's more mental than anything.''

Swisher agrees, and he welcomed the drop to the bottom of the batting order Saturday.

"I think hitting in the 9-hole maybe the best thing to happen,'' Swisher said. "Just say, 'You know what, just go out and play, don't worry about everything.' It's tough. It's extremely tough, but my teammates have helped me out a lot to get through this.''