Chicago Sun-Times

Gillaspie, De Aza each go deep in 7th as White Sox top Rangers 5-2

Wed, 01 May 2013 22:20:38 -0500

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Chris Sale regrouped after a rough second inning with seven strong frames, and Conor Gillaspie and Alejandro De Aza broke open a tie game with home runs in the seventh as the White Sox defeated the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Wednesday night. Alex Rios drove in De Aza (double) with the Sox first run in the first against Nick Tepesch (2-2). The Sox got their second run when Tyler Flowers hit into a bases loaded double play in the second inning, scoring Paul Konerko (double). Sale (3-2) climbed above .500 and lowered his ERA to 3.83, striking …

White Sox pitcher Hector Santiago has pitch-count problem of a different sort

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:30:02 -0500

ARLINGTON, Texas — Hector Santiago’s wide assortment of pitches suits him better to start. As long as his catchers can remember all of them, that is. Santiago, who jumps into the White Sox rotation this weekend to replace the injured Gavin Floyd, throws a fastball, cut fastball, slider, changeup and screwball. Five offerings if you’re scoring at home. “If you want to count a two-seamer [sinking fastball] it’s six,’’ Santiago said. So many that, in a recent relief outing, catcher Hector Gimenez went through the entire series of signs twice while Santiago was waiting for him to call for a …

Peavy can see White Sox in over their heads without fixes fast

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:29:43 -0500

ARLINGTON, Texas — A month into the season and the White Sox already are concerned about their season slipping away. It’s time to play better and string wins together. Or else. Veteran pitcher and clubhouse leader Jake Peavy knows it. And he knows his days with the Sox could be numbered if they don’t turn it around. ‘‘We have to get better — we understand that,’’ Peavy told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. ‘‘We have to clean it up in all aspects. Pitch, hit and catch the ball. Stuff we did last year that made us contenders, we’re not doing.’’ The …

A.J. Pierzynski takes issue with ninth-inning plunking

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:29:53 -0500

ARLINGTON, Texas — Leave it to A.J. Pierzynski to find himself in a minor dust-up with his former team, even if he wasn’t an instigator. The Texas Rangers catcher was hit on the right elbow pad by a pitch from White Sox closer Addison Reed in the ninth inning of the Sox’ 5-2 victory Wednesday night. A pinch hitter, Pierzynski was up with two outs, so getting plunked in that situation didn’t loom large until Ian Kinsler singled after him, bringing the tying run to the plate. Pierzynski angrily flipped his bat and yelled at Reed, then glared while he …

White Sox hitting coach Jeff Manto acknowledges funk, stresses patience

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:19:58 -0500

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jeff Manto believes in his guys. Not that you would expect less from the positive-thinking White Sox hitting coach. Manto exists in a hitting world steeped in failure. Even when his guys are going good, they’re making outs 70 percent of the time, so the Manto mantra is to stay positive even in bad times. Which, for the 10-15 Sox, is now. “I just think we’re trying too hard,’’ Manto said before the Sox opened their second road trip with a 10-6 loss to the Texas Rangers Tuesday. “We’ve got guys who really care. They really care …

White Sox send down pitcher Donnie Veal

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:00:01 -0500

The White Sox optioned left-hander Donnie Veal to AAA Charlotte and recalled right-hander Brian Omogrosso on Wednesday. Veal, who excelled as a lefty out of the bullpen last season, struggled during April. …

Wise goes 4-for-4, but Rangers outslug White Sox 10-6

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:57:28 -0500

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The first month of the season has passed and the White Sox are still searching for their offense. On the last night of April and the first of their second road trip, their pitching and defense were missing in action, too. Jose Quintana gave up four runs in five innings before the Sox bullpen imploded in a horrific six-run sixth inning for the Rangers, who defeated the Sox 10-6. The Sox nicked Yu Darvish (5-1) for four runs over six innings, including a two-run homer by Dewayne Wise -- who was 4-for-4 with a triple and two …

Former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski misses game with injury

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:19:19 -0500

ARLINGTON, Texas — The only reunion with A.J. Pierzynski was before and after the White Sox game against the Rangers on Tuesday. Pierzynski has a right oblique issue that kept him out of the lineup. The former Sox catcher could miss Wednesday’s game, too. “There’s no doubt I want to play,’’ Pierzynski said. “It’s killing me not to play, especially for this series.” Sitting in the Rangers’ clubhouse, Pierzynski had just come out of a meeting with Rangers pitchers going over Sox hitters. “It was weird sitting in a pitcher’s meeting and going over the White Sox lineup instead of …

Alexei Ramirez’s experience pays off with increased April production

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:22:10 -0500

The month of April and its fickle weather never have been kind to Alexei Ramirez. Untll now. The shortstop, who hit only .222 in the first five Aprils with the White Sox, has been a different player in 2013, hitting .282 when most teammates have struggled at the plate. Ramirez is still averaging only .234 at home, but his .324 average on the road accounts for the noticeable change. Ramirez said experience has helped him make adjustments, as did a better preseason workout approach. “I prepared myself well, starting in Miami [his offseason home] and then when I went to …

Ventura sees injuries as a chance for new opportunities

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:17:35 -0500

Trying to find silver linings in the White Sox’ April of injuries might seem illogical. But manager Robin Ventura isn’t wont for trying. “In any situation, it can always be worse. We bring up guys who are capable of playing. You are going to give guys opportunities. It’s how we got [Jose] Quintana last year.’’ That logic could work again if promising left-hander Hector Santiago becomes a solid replacement in the rotation for Gavin Floyd, who will miss at least two weeks with a flexor muscle strain near the right elbow. Quintana has been the best part of the rotation …

With Gavin Floyd out, John Danks eager to return

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:20:48 -0500

John Danks would like nothing more than to return quickly, especially with Gavin Floyd now out with a strained flexor muscle near the right elbow. But first will come a rehab assignment starting Thursday at Class AA Birmingham against Chattanooga. “It’s one step closer to getting back,’’ Danks said. Danks said it was “hard to watch’’ Floyd leave the field Saturday. “I don’t know the extent of his injury, but we all hope he is okay. I’m ready. I’m ready to get back out there. Maybe that will move the process along a little quicker, I don’t know. As far …