White Sox return home needing better pitching
The White Sox return home from a disappointing 4-6 road trip with their new center fielder, Ken Griffey Jr.
They also dropped out of the top spot in the AL Central after leading the division since May 17.
The 38-year-old Griffey had yet to play a full game in his first three appearances with the Sox, but he is healthy.
Griffey came out of Saturday's game at Kansas City with leg cramps, a direct result of the 111-degree heat index at Kauffman Stadium.
In Sunday's loss to the Royals, Griffey was pulled only because the White Sox' pitching staff was again a lost cause.
"They stink," manager Ozzie Guillen said of Sox pitchers, particularly the starters.
A quick check of the numbers backs up Guillen's blunt assessment. Over the last 19 games, White Sox starters are 6-8 with a 6.58 ERA.
True, rookie Clayton Richard (0-2, 10.38 ERA in 3 starts) was overmatched, but veteran Mark Buehrle has lost his last 2 starts while allowing 12 earned runs on 22 hits over 9 innings.
On Monday, Richard was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte. The White Sox will make a corresponding roster move before tonight's game against the Detroit Tigers.
"There's no doubt our starting pitchers have to do a better job," Guillen said. "That's the only way I see this ballclub going in the right direction. If the starting pitching doesn't go in the right direction, than we're going to have a little problem."
Sox general manager Kenny Williams said he looked for pitching help before Thursday's nonwaiver trade deadline.
Williams didn't think the available starters were better than what the White Sox already have. As for relief help, Williams said the price for available talent like Brian Fuentes and Will Ohman was way too steep.
There is always a chance Williams can still add some pitching via waiver trades, but the Sox are more likely to wait for Buehrle to bounce back.
They also expect to have Jose Contreras back in the rotation, likely Saturday against the Boston Red Sox.
On the disabled list with elbow tendinitis, Contreras made a rehab start for Class AAA Charlotte Sunday night.
Facing Durham, Contreras allowed 3 runs on 2 hits in the first inning. Over his final 4 innings, the big right-hander allowed no runs on 2 hits.
"It's going to be a big push for us to have Contreras back in the rotation because we need that," Guillen said. "We're going to have Jose back, and those 15 days will help him. I have a great feeling this kid is going to be good for two months. We need that, and we can make a different move in the bullpen."
For as shaky as the starters have been the last three weeks, Sox relievers haven't been much better outside of closer Bobby Jenks.
Over the last 19 games, the bullpen has yielded 39 earned runs in 56 innings (6.23 ERA).
There is little doubt the White Sox are missing setup man Scott Linebrink, who is likely out for another 10-14 days with inflammation in the back of his throwing (right) shoulder.
The Sox considered moving Richard to the bullpen, but the lefty didn't show enough as a starter to earn any confidence.
The White Sox also have to decide what to do with Boone Logan, who has allowed 13 earned runs on 20 hits in his last 7 innings.
Guillen said the White Sox are considering bringing Adam Russell back up from Class AAA Charlotte, and they might call up another minor-leaguer for help.
"The minor-league kids we've had coming up, they're doing a good job," Guillen said. "They saved our bullpen for a little while. But I don't need a body. I'm looking for guys I can use."