Sox’ performance fitting of place in standings
Let’s give the White Sox some credit here.
When they want to be bad, they don’t mess around.
Having already dropped eight of nine heading into Saturday’s game against the Tigers at Comerica Park, the Sox figured out a way to take it down another notch while losing 9-0.
Fittingly, they now occupy the basement in the AL Central.
You figured manager Ozzie Guillen was going to pop off after the latest exercise in futility, and he did.
But unlike similar stretches of poor play during his first seven seasons in the White Sox’ dugout, Guillen didn’t roll out a rant worthy of national attention.
Instead, he sounded more like a disappointed fan.
“I hope those guys out there, they’re getting tired of getting their (butts) kicked,” Guillen told reporters after the Sox lost their eighth straight to the Tigers, dating back to last season. “Because I am. Right now is the time to cut it off and start playing the way we can. I think we have a better ballclub than that.”
The Sox have a $125-million ballclub, although no one expected them to push for 100 wins this season.
On the other hand, the offense has been awful since midway through their last homestand, the defense has been sloppy, the bullpen’s still suspect and now the starting pitching is going through the motions.
That’s a recipe for disaster, and that’s exactly what the White Sox’ season has become as the end of the first month draws near.
In addition to being an ex-player and manager, Guillen is a huge Sox fan. Maybe that’s why he sounded like so many of them following another loss.
“I’m not going to say they’re not trying,” Guillen said. “I’m not going to say they’re not giving me their best effort. But it’s boring, very boring. Very boring to watch. I expect this ballclub to be good.
“We’ve got good guys out there and good talent. But it seems like every day we’re waiting for something to happen to lose the game, and that’s not the way to play. We’ve got to go after it.”
Saddled with a .192 batting average and scoring less than 3 runs per game over their last 11 heading into Saturday, the White Sox were in danger of being no-hit by Tigers starter Brad Penny before Brent Morel “singled” with one out in the sixth inning.
It was the official scorer’s decision, but Detroit third baseman Brandon Inge could have easily been charged with an error on the play after backhanding Morel’s hard grounder and making a wide throw to first base.
That’s not to say the controversial play really even matters in the Sox’ grand scheme.
They were held to 5 hits by the Tigers while being shut out for the second time in the last six games.
And White Sox starter Edwin Jackson turned in another blasé effort, allowing 8 runs on 12 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings.
“I know it’s not easy to have fun when you only have 2 hits a game 3 hits a game,” Guillen said. “You can’t do anything about it; you’ve go to turn the page. Forget about this one and come back tomorrow and be ready to play.
“I think they’re trying. Things aren’t clicking our way, but the only way to click is to make it click. I don’t believe in luck. Make your own luck.”
sgregor@dailyherald.com