One bad inning does in Vazquez again

07/19/2006
DETROIT -- Sitting in the visiting manager's office following Detroit's 5-2 victory Wednesday night before a sellout crowd of 39,593 at Comerica Park, Ozzie Guillen explained a bit of the obvious in breaking down Javier Vazquez's losing effort on the mound.
"You take that one inning away from him and he threw the ball real well," said Guillen of Vazquez, who slipped to 9-5 with his first loss in six starts. "Four runs in one shot and you can do nothing about it."
Craig Monroe's grand slam was the "one shot" Guillen referred to, coming on a 2-2 hanging slider from Vazquez, during a five-run sixth in which the Tigers (63-31) scored all of their runs and knocked out five of their seven hits. Yes, Vazquez pitched a very solid game aside from that sixth-inning blip, striking out five and walking one over six innings.
But Vazquez needs to find a remedy for his one-inning hiccup. It has played out far too often in 2006 for the White Sox liking, and it has become an especially huge source of frustration for Vazquez himself. To Vazquez's credit, he did not hide from the media after the one bad pitch cost him career victory No. 99, standing in front of his locker and answering all inquiries.
It was a level of frustration for Vazquez, though, that bordered for the first time this season on downright anger. It apparently was anger with himself for allowing the one inning to play a part in the White Sox slipping 4 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central, while staying 2 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees in the AL Wild Card.
There also was anger stemming from Vazquez's inability to figure out what has been the exact issue he needs to correct. Vazquez feels healthy and feels as if he's making good pitches, but just isn't getting the consistent results.
"Something always happens," Vazquez said. "I'm doing everything positively and nothing goes right for me out there.
"I've had some bad games where they hit me hard. But today, I felt so good until that inning. Even that inning, I threw some good pitches. There were balls falling in here and there, and then they got the big hit."
The White Sox (58-35) actually held a 2-0 lead entering the sixth, on the strength of Joe Crede's 19th home run and Juan Uribe's 12th home run off of Jeremy Bonderman (10-4). But four straight Detroit singles to open the frame cut the lead in half.
Those hits came on the third time through the Tigers order for Vazquez, a spot when the opposition seems to tee off on him this season. Vazquez has limited the opposition to a .228 average and has a 2.18 ERA when facing hitters for the first time in a game. Those numbers barely jump the second time through, with a .229 average and 2.54 ERA.
On the third head-to-head battle on a given night, Vazquez has a 10.09 ERA and opposing hitters have a .347 average. Every one of the Tigers' third at-bats Wednesday came during the five-run sixth, aside from leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson, who struck out to end the fifth.
Monroe's one-out drive was the biggest of the rally, as he lofted a majestic shot to left off of a Vazquez mistake. It was a blast not without a bit of controversy, as Monroe watched his home run for a few extra seconds and then bumped into catcher A.J. Pierzynski as he crossed home plate.
A quietly resigned Pierzynski said that Monroe apologized to him for the contact at the end of the home run trot before batting in the eighth. While Pierzynski admitted he didn't like getting bumped into, he understood Monroe's jubilation.
"He hit a grand slam," said Pierzynski of Monroe's prolonged reaction. "You like to see excitement and guys running around the bases, especially at home. It wasn't that big of a deal. He said it was an exciting part of the game and he didn't see me. So, what can you do?"
"That's my fault, but I'm not going to get into that," added Monroe of grazing Pierzynski.
Vazquez and Monroe seemed to have differing opinions on Monroe watching his game-winning drive a little longer than the requisite celebration.
"He definitely did. But that's part of baseball," Vazquez said of Monroe. "Nowadays, guys who have hit 10 home runs in the big leagues think they can do that. That's something we see every day, not only him. Every day we see it."
"No disrespect, but it doesn't get any bigger than that for this team," Monroe countered. "You're so caught up in the game and caught up in how big everybody's made this series out to be. In big games and big situations, you do some things. If I could do it all over, I probably wouldn't, but it was in the moment and I enjoyed every minute of it."
Detroit's rally, cutting the White Sox season series lead to 6-2, and the accompanying histrionics, should make for an interesting finale Thursday afternoon. The Tigers hope Kenny Rogers produces a dominant effort similar to Bonderman's 7 1/3 innings of four-hit ball, while Jose Contreras looks to start another "year-long winning streak," as Paul Konerko quipped after the loss.
Head-to-head matchups between these two already are important. Thanks to Wednesday's rally, Thursday takes on a little extra edge.
"We know the difference between going home 3 1/2 back or 5 1/2 back, and that's all we should need to get us going," said Konerko, whose 15-game hitting streak against the Tigers came to an end. "We came in to win the series and we can still do that. It doesn't rattle us."
"Whoever wins or loses picks up two games: the one you don't lose and the one you win," Guillen added. "It's not do or die, but of course it's important for us both."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Notes: Crede's offense catches up

07/20/2006
DETROIT -- It was during a June Interleague series in Colorado of last season when rumors seemed to crescendo in regard to the White Sox interest in acquiring Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez. General manager Ken Williams made it clear, at the time, that Chavez was not leaving Oakland, and said he knew this to be true from a first-hand source.
"[Chavez] is not on the block. And trust me, I know that," Williams said at the time. "Trust me."
A little more than one year later, the White Sox don't look to be in the market for any player of Chavez's significance. If they do add some impact player, which is unlikely, it certainly won't be at third base. Not when Joe Crede stands as a bona fide American League star and one of the top clutch hitters in the game.
Worries surrounding Crede's Gold Glove-caliber defense never were remotely an issue for the White Sox. It was consistency on offense leading to the White Sox low-key search for a possible upgrade at the hot corner. Crede heard the rumors and has played with them in a couple of different seasons.
While he understands trades are part of the business, Crede prefers the on-field peace and success he currently is finding for the defending World Series champions.
"I absolutely realize it's nothing personal," Crede said. "As a player, you know if something is going to happen or if there's going to be a move. You really just worry about playing your game and helping your team.
"It seems like if [manager Ozzie Guillen], Kenny or the coaches are on you, you know you aren't doing something right. If you don't really hear from them or see them, you know you are doing things right.
"So, it's good not to hear from them," added Crede with a laugh.
Crede homered in each of the first two games against Detroit, entering Thursday's series finale with the most home runs by a visiting player at Comerica Park. Crede, carrying a .302 average into Thursday, as well as 19 home runs and 62 RBIs, could also be headed toward his first .300 season.
Guillen believes the switch has been flipped for Crede with the bat, and the White Sox manager considers Crede as good, if not better, than any third baseman in the game --- including Chavez. Where talk of a multi-year deal for this talent on the rise is concerned, Guillen leaves those particulars to Williams.
"That's up to Kenny Williams, Jerry Reinsdorf, the fans -- if they're still coming, we have more money," said Guillen of re-signing Crede. "I don't know anything about budget.
"But do I want to keep him? Of course, I want to keep him. If it's up to Jerry and Kenny and all those guys, I guarantee they will want to, too. Sometimes it's, 'How much am I going to make? How much do you love me?' It's not in my hands."
Catching funk: Offensive production from behind the plate for the White Sox has hit a little bit of a rough patch. A.J. Pierzynski has just two hits in his last 17 at-bats since the All-Star break, although his .309 average ranks third among American League catchers. With left-hander Kenny Rogers starting Thursday, reserve catcher Chris Widger got the call in the starting lineup.
Widger's average has slipped to .192 as he has gone hitless in his last 21 at-bats entering Thursday. Widger wouldn't be bothered as much by his prolonged slump if it wasn't continuing on through a 2-6 stretch for his team.
"Honestly, I wouldn't care about not getting a hit the rest of the year if we won. Ultimately, that's what we are all here for," Widger said. "It would be nice to get hits and help the team win, but if our team wins and I hit .200, I'll be as happy as I was last year.
"Now, it's a struggle because both are going bad. Nobody would notice, including myself, if the pitcher working that day threw the ball well and we won."
Although Widger has only 73 at-bats this season, he refused to blame his slump on a lack of at-bats. There are no excuses coming from Pierzynski either, such as a working through some sort of All-Star hangover.
Pierzynski pointed out that his first real slump of the year simply is something expected as part of a long season.
"I feel fine. I just haven't got any hits," Pierzynski said. "It's just the way it is. You hit some balls hard, guys made some nice plays and it's just baseball. That's all it is.
"Hopefully, if I get in there today or tomorrow, we can turn it around and get back to what we were doing before," Pierzynski added.
Third to first: The White Sox requested waivers on right-handed reliever Cliff Politte for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Politte was designated for assignment prior to Sunday's series final at Yankee Stadium. ... The upcoming six-game homestand against the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins is completely sold out, according to the White Sox.
Down on the farm: B.J. LaMura threw 2 2/3 innings of hitless ball, striking out one, as Double-A Birmingham edged Mobile by a 3-2 final. LaMura is 2-0 with a 0.55 ERA over his last 11 appearances (16 1/3 innings), striking out 19. LaMura has recorded at least one strikeout in all 33 of his appearances this season, giving him 63 in 50 1/3 innings. ... Lee Cruz had three hits and drove in three runs during Great Falls' 12-4 shellacking of Casper. ... Jerry Owens and Josh Fields each drove in one run during Triple-A Charlotte's 3-2 loss to Columbus. Fields has 55 RBIs this season, while Owens, the team's leadoff hitter, has 43.

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Guillen offers Texas' Padilla warning

07/20/2006
DETROIT -- Neither White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen nor catcher A.J. Pierzynski expect a continuation this weekend of the hostility that ensued when Rangers starter Vicente Padilla hit the Sox catcher with two pitches during their last series in June, but Guillen vowed Thursday to retaliate if it does.
Discussion of the Pierzynski-Padilla incident figured to come up with Texas coming to town and Padilla scheduled to pitch Sunday.
"Like we said, it was over as far as we were concerned," Pierzynski said. "But then we didn't know it was going to happen last time, either. It's in one guy's hands."
Guillen made it clear before Thursday's series finale with Detroit that any actions perceived to be intentional on Padilla's part will not be tolerated by the White Sox manager.
"If Padilla hits somebody, believe me, we're going to do something about it and see what happens. That's a guarantee," Guillen said. "You can count on that. I don't care if we're suspended for 100 years.
"[If] you hit people when they do something wrong, I agree with that. But [if] you hit people because you don't like them, I don't think that's a good [way] to play the game."
In discussing the situation, and the brief jawing between Pierzynski and Detroit's Craig Monroe following the outfielder's grand slam Wednesday, Guillen talked about the old days of baseball, when any problem between players was handled on the field.
With umpires' warnings, fines and suspensions, Guillen believes baseball is over-legislated. It's one of the reasons why there was no retaliation for Padilla's actions, after the first White Sox attempt neglected to work that same night. But Guillen can't make the same promise if Padilla decides to play out his emotions on the field again Sunday.
"We have to concentrate and win games," Guillen said. "But I guarantee you, if that happens, I don't know what's going to happen, but something's going to happen. Make sure they know it, too.
"If something happens, I'm going to protect one of my players, hit him and point to [Padilla] when I hit him and then make [the Texas players] fight with their pitcher. I'm not here for Major League Baseball. I'm here for my players, and I'm going to do everything I can in my power to make my players perform in the right way."
The latest Pierzynski incident started in the sixth inning Wednesday night, when Monroe hit what turned out to be the game-winning grand slam. As Monroe crossed home plate following his trot, he fell backwards into Pierzynski after exchanging an intense high-five with teammate Marcus Thames.
Pierzynski put his elbow up to seemingly block himself from the impact -- all and all a rather innocuous little part of an exciting game. But Monroe and Pierzynski had words after the collision, with Thames ushering Monroe back to the dugout.
Although Monroe is said to have apologized to Pierzynski after the game, neither player was making nice Thursday.
"He wants to [upset you]," Monroe said of Pierzynski. "He wants to make you mad, so now you get out of your game plan. Well, they're not going to change my mind-set. I'm going to continue to do what I do. We just try to play baseball.
"You know what, guys?" added Monroe to the Detroit media. "The bottom line is everybody in baseball knows that's A.J. Let's be honest. That's him. He likes confrontation. He likes to play this role. He's so tough. Well, that act is just tired. It's just tired."
"I thought it was over last night," Pierzynski said after hearing of Monroe's comments. "As soon as he came up and apologized and said, 'Sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you,' I was like, 'OK. That's fine.'
"For him to say that, I think it's kind of bush league that he basically changes his complete story. I don't know. It's kind of funny."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/

Hard-nosed play in seventh costs Sox

07/20/2006
DETROIT -- Losing five of their six games on a road trip to New York and Detroit to start the 2006 season's second half certainly wouldn't fall into the category of embarrassment for the White Sox, according to Ozzie Guillen. The White Sox manager did consider the results a major disappointment.
But even following Detroit's 2-1 victory Thursday afternoon before a Comerica Park sellout crowd of 41,075, the defending World Series champions didn't show the slightest bit of panic or worry, for the matter.
Sure, the Tigers (64-31) reinforced their case as a true playoff contender, claiming the final two games of this three-game set, and increasing their lead in the American League Central to a season-high 5 1/2 games.
The White Sox (58-36) also didn't help themselves by neglecting to put the offensive end of their game and the pitching together at any time on this trip but Tuesday. Over the final two games in Detroit, the first four hitters in the White Sox lineup combined to finish 0-for-29, serving as just one example of temporary offensive futility.
Yet, the White Sox high level of confidence remains unchanged and unbowed in the face of one of those many runs of inconsistency expected during a 162-game season. They also fully realize a better brand of baseball needs to begin this weekend back at home against Texas.
"I don't want to be negative about my team," said Guillen of his squad. "Detroit outplayed us. They kicked our butt. They pitched good, and when you play the game right, you deserve to win. Hopefully, we turn it around and play better when we get home."
"You go through down points in the season, and this is one of the lowest points," added White Sox starter Jose Contreras, through translator Ozzie Guillen Jr. "You always play bad when you lose, regardless of how you lose the game. Losing is losing. When you are winning, little mistakes aren't looked at as much."
Contreras (9-2) lost for the second straight start, after setting a franchise record with 17 consecutive winning decisions. But it was not so much Contreras' shortcomings, allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings, as it was Detroit's aggressive style of play leading to the Tigers' one-run victory.
With the game tied at 1 and with one out in the seventh inning, Contreras issued his only walk of the game to Marcus Thames. Craig Monroe followed with what looked to be a tailor-made double-play grounder to third baseman Joe Crede, but Crede double-clutched ever so slightly as he tried to get the ball out of his glove.
Crede's throw to Tadahito Iguchi at second was in time to nail Thames and turn the double play, but the throw brought Iguchi inside of the base, and Thames flipped Iguchi into the air with a tough breakup slide. Guillen and the rest of the White Sox, though, had absolutely no problem with Thames' hard-nosed style of baseball.
It's the sort of intensity Guillen has preached for his team since taking over in 2004.
"That's the way people should play the game on the big-league level," Guillen said. "I think when you do that, you show intensity. I expect my players to do the same stuff. I don't want anybody to get hurt, but keep it up."
Paul Konerko said after the game that he didn't think Iguchi would have doubled up Monroe even without the slide, judging from the second baseman's position on the throw. But the slide kept the inning alive, and two pitches later, Chris Shelton's double into the left-center-field gap brought home Monroe with the game-winning run.
Joel Zumaya (5-1) earned the victory, as the right-hander with the 100-plus mph fastball threw two scoreless innings in relief of starter Kenny Rogers. That effort included an inning-ending strikeout of Crede in the eighth, followed by a demonstrative fist pump toward the White Sox dugout.
Crede looked at Zumaya as he walked back to the bench, but the White Sox didn't really have any direct criticism of Zumaya's exuberance.
"I think we've gotten used to it," said Konerko of Zumaya. "He's got a great arm. I guess if he, the only thing you can say about that is if it ever works the other way, you can't take offense to what happens. I don't think we have guys that would do anything there ..."
"If you throw that hard and you are throwing strikes and locating, which he was doing, you can do nothing but tip your cap to him," Crede added.
There was a collective tipping of the cap by the White Sox to the Tigers, but there certainly was no concession speech or talk of focus on the Wild Card. Not with 10 games remaining against Detroit and close to two months left in the season.
Having watched a 15-game lead over Cleveland on Aug. 1 dip to a precious 1 1/2 games late in September last season, the White Sox understand this division race is a marathon more than a sprint. But a 2-7 record over their next nine games, as they posted in the last nine, won't get the job done.
"We have a better ballclub than this. We should be playing better," Guillen said. "Everybody on this club is disappointed with the way we're playing right now. Not against Detroit, [but] period, since the All-Star break, we haven't played good."
"I don't think anyone in here is going to panic," Crede added. "I still think we have a great run in us in August and September. We know we are going to have to play great baseball, and Detroit is going to have to keep it up as well."

Source: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/