Frustrated White Sox strike out against Lee, Indians
En route to yet another punchless loss Wednesday at Cleveland, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was ejected for the first time this season.
Building frustration resulted in Guillen's early exit, right?
Not quite.
In the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss to the Indians, the Sox loaded the bases with two outs and right fielder Jermaine Dye took a called third strike.
Dye flipped his bat and slammed his batting helmet, ending his day early.
Mike DiMuro then ejected Guillen, who was arguing with the home-plate umpire from the dugout.
"I didn't like the way he was calling strikes and balls," Guillen told reporters. "It was kind of weird. I wasn't even adamant about my players. I was adamant about both sides. I think he was a little inconsistent behind the plate."
Guillen went on to say he actually was arguing about a called strike for Sox starter Mark Buehrle against Cleveland's Jhonny Peralta, saying the pitch was low.
Regardless of DiMuro's strike zone, it was another unproductive day for the Sox' offense. Indians starter Cliff Lee (2-5) pitched 7 innings, and relievers Rafael Betancourt and Kerry Wood completed the shutout.
The Sox scratched out just 7 hits, all singles.
"We know we were going to face a tough customer today," Guillen said. "Buehrle pitched pretty good, but we haven't put it together yet. Hopefully we come out of this as soon as we can."
Captain Paul Konerko sounded much like he did after the White Sox lost to Texas at home Sunday.
"We're working right now, I'd like to tell you that guys aren't going about it right, but everyone is doing it right," Konerko told reporters. "We're just not good right now, that's it."
The Sox struck out 10 times in the game, raising their season total to 228.
"It surprises me because we have a better offense than what we're showing," Guillen said. "We strike out too much and we need to cut that because that's a big part of the game.
"We have people that strike out more than Jimmy (Thome), and that's a little embarrassing. When the game's on the line, we strike out. When people are on base, we strike out. Leading off an inning, we strike out."
Buehrle (5-1) took his first loss of the season after allowing 4 runs on 7 hits over 7 innings. Ryan Garko's 2-run homer in the fourth was the big blow.
The White Sox' ace lost for the first time since Sept. 24. The 4 runs were the most he has allowed in a start since Aug. 30, when he gave up 7 at Boston.
"I made one bad pitch to Garko," Buehrle said. "Lee's been pitching pretty well and he's had success against us, so you know it will be a tough game."
Scot Gregor's game tracker
Wednesday's grade: D. Another day, another doughnut for the White Sox' offense. That makes a half-dozen shutouts in just 33 games. Last season the Sox were blanked 11 times.
Back in the swing? Alexei Ramirez ended a 1-for-10 slide by going 3-for-3. That raised the shortstop's average from .200 to .223.
Help on the way? Injured outfielder Brian Anderson (oblique) was scheduled to start a rehab assignment with Class AAA Charlotte on Wednesday and could rejoin the Sox in Toronto. Brent Lillibridge, start packing.
Impressive-Lee: Dating to last season, Indians starter Cliff Lee has pitched 20 consecutive scoreless innings vs. the Sox.