Sox suffer some setbacks in pounding Tigers 10-6
After the White Sox pounded the Tigers 10-6 Monday at Comerica Park in Detroit, manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters he might need to head to church and start praying.
The baseball season is just over a week old, but it already has suffered huge loses. Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a car accident last Thursday, and on Monday baseball lost two more giants - Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas of Naperville and former Tigers pitcher Mark "the Bird" Fidrych.
As for the Sox, they had some setbacks on the field, losing center fielder Dewayne Wise for 4-6 weeks on Monday with a separated right shoulder during their third straight win.
The White Sox also played without starting second baseman Chris Getz, who was hit by a pitch on the right elbow during Sunday's home win over the Twins.
Getz could be back as early as today, but Wise is on the shelf with a much more serious injury.
The 31-year-old outfielder separated the shoulder after making a great running catch on a line drive hit by the Tigers' Ramon Santiago in the fifth inning.
Wise saved 2 runs with the defensive gem.
"I think that injury saved the game," Guillen told reporters in Detroit. "When he made that play, that was the game for us right there. He started playing better. It's a shame. That happened and you have to move on. You feel sorry for the kid, but you've got a job to do."
Brian Anderson is likely to get more playing time in center field with Wise on the shelf, and the White Sox recalled center fielder Jerry Owens after the game.
Owens entered spring training as the favorite to win the starting job in center and bat leadoff, but he was waived on March 31 after hitting .230 in the Cactus League.
Owens cleared waivers and reported to Charlotte, where he was 1-for-7 (3 strikeouts) in 2 games. Heading into Monday, Miguel Negron started 4 games in center for Charlotte and was batting .188.
Despite losing Wise and getting a rough start Monday from Gavin Floyd, the Sox beat the Tigers on the strength of 4 home runs.
Carlos Quentin went deep twice and Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko made history in the second inning with back-to-back solo shots. It was career home run No. 300 for each player.