White Sox' bats stay red hot in easy win over Kansas City
The White Sox leave town and all of a sudden, scoring runs becomes easy.
They opened this road trip by pounding out 17 runs against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, then began a three-game series in Kansas City on Friday with an easy 11-2 victory.
Alexei Ramirez, A.J. Pierzynski and Josh Fields collected 3 hits each, while left-hander Clayton Richard (2-0) won his second straight start. The White Sox (22-25) are now 7-3 in their last 10 games.
"We did a lot of good things," manager Ozzie Guillen said after the game. "When we got people on base, we'd drive them in."
Jermaine Dye started the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning. The Sox tacked on 3 more in the second against Kansas City starter Brian Bannister thanks to a 2-run double by Fields and a sacrifice fly by Paul Konerko.
The biggest inning was still to come. In the top of the sixth, the Sox plated 6 runs to stretch the lead to 11-0 as six different players collected RBI.
Guillen praised the performance of Richard, who threw 7 innings and struck out seven. Richard struggled early this season in a relief role but has pitched better since taking Jose Contreras' spot in the rotation.
"The reason we gave him the ball when we made the decision to send Contreras down (to Triple-A Charlotte was) because we think he's got a lot of potential," Guillen told media after the game. "He showed why the San Diego Padres want him."
Contreras is expected to return to the big leagues to start one leg of a doubleheader against Detroit on June 8.
Before Friday's contest, the White Sox placed outfielder Carlos Quentin on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 26, because of plantar fascitis in his left foot. Guillen expects Quentin to be ready to play when his stint on the DL ends.
"That's what we're shooting for," Guillen said. "I think the injury's not that bad. But we can't be playing short for six or seven days, that's the problem."
In the meantime, DeWayne Wise returned to the team for the first time since suffering a separated left shoulder while making a diving catch in Detroit on April 13. Wise pinch-ran Friday and is expected to start one of the final two games in Kansas City. He went 4-for-12 with 2 doubles in a rehab stint with Charlotte.
After the game, the White Sox acquired backup catcher Ramon Castro and cash considerations from the Mets for pitcher Lance Broadway. Sox catcher Corky Miller will be designated for assignment, while left-handed pitcher Wes Whisler will be called up from Triple A.
Guillen said he knows Castro from the Florida Marlins, but was sad to see Miller go.
"It's a great day because we win, but it's not a fun day for me," he said.