White Sox drop 2/3 to A’s in heartbreaking loss as Konerko hits No. 400
(10-8) (10-10)
Chicago White Sox First Basemen Paul Konerko hits his 400th career home run in a 5-4 loss to the A’s in 14 innings. Konerko’s bomb tied the game 2-2 in the top 9th on the first pitch. Only one more player in White Sox history has more homers in a White Sox uniform, Frank Thomas hit 448, Paul Konerko hit 393 were his other seven were in Cincinnati and Los Angeles in the early stages of the season.
Konerko has hit clean-up all season long this year as A.J. Pierzynski hits right behind him. The White Sox left 11 men on base in this very ugly loss. Even though they lost 2/3 to Oakland, they still went 4-2 in the six game road trip which included Philip Humber’s perfect game against Seattle.
Santiago lost the game for the Sox in the 14th giving up 3 runs blowing his second save this year. Both blown saves Santiago has thrown had a home run in them.
Speculation has Santiago in trade rumors but there is no chance GM Kenny Williams moves him. The worst thing that he could do would be taken off of the closer role and turned into a short reliever.
The White Sox will play Boston in a 4-game Home Stand, then Cleveland and Detroit come to town to begin May.
White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale will be pitching for a 2-1 record tonight in Seattle against Hector Noesi and the Mariners. Noesi, 25, is 1-1 with a 5.73 E.R.A. through two starts this year. The Sox are entering this series with a record of 6-6 after dropping 3/4 to to Baltimore.
White Sox offense not enough to stop ‘orange’ hot O’s
(8-4) (6-6)
A.J. Pierzynski hit 2 home runs in the 4-game set with a total of already 4 this year. A.J.’s power surge has surprised me as he hit 8 dingers last year in 129 games and in 10 games played this season he has hit 4, half the amount of last year’s total. The White Sox also have left the bases loaded in bottom of the ninth twice in the series. The final out this afternoon being Alex Rios striking out and the final Tuesday night was Brent Morel chopping out to short both when the bases were loaded.
This better not turn into a problem for the White Sox. Clutch hitting was a major issue last year. Many Sox fans out there might be scared that the Sox are only at 6-6 The Yankees, Rays, Giants, and Rockies all have the same record which should be comforting.
The Orioles have been very hot as late having a record of 8-4 and a top of the A.L. East. The White Sox are currently tied for second place behind the Tigers with the Indians. The O’s have historically been a real pest to the Sox as they split the season series 4-4 in 2011. De Aza is having a very nice season for the Sox as he has hit three home runs and scored a run earlier today. I Predicted from the start the Alejandro will be a solid player this year but not with this much power or consistency.
Ultimately the Sox starting pitching and defense will carry the Sox through the 2012 season if Beckham and morel don’t turn it around. Why I don’t mention Dunn? last night he had a 3 RBI game with 3 walks and strike out. Even just today he hit an RBI double. Keep an eye out on these next series against Seattle, Oakland, then we return home to face the Red Sox in a 4-game stretch.
White Sox Peavy, look to rebound from 3-game skid, beat Orioles
(7-4) (5-5)
Jake Peavy (1-0) will face the Orioles Tommy Hunter (1-0) in game 3 of a four game set. The O’s are already leading the series 2-0, on a blown save by Hector Santiago and leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th inning. ‘White Hot’ A.J. Pierzynski drove in the Sox lone 2 runs last night on a double. Back-to-back homers from Reimold and Hardy against John Danks doomed the White Sox.
Chicago Lineup: Baltimore Lineup:
Alejandro De Aza CF NOT YET SUBMITTED
Brent Morel 3B
Adam Dunn DH
Paul Konerko1B
A.J. Pierzynski C
Alex Rios RF
Kosuke Fukodome LF
Alexei Ramirez SS
Gordon Beckham 2B
Brent Morel (Pictured) is one of 3 White Sox hitters who are really looking and in fact needing a quick comeback. Morel is in the bigs for his defensive ability but at this point in his career it is expected for him to contribute offensively. One of the White Sox’s weakness is the number 2 hole, the spot in the lineup that Morel should be producing from. When Morel does eventually get out of this early season slump he wont be the liability he currently is respectively.
After and 10-13 slugg-fest of the Reds, the White Sox finally look ready to begin the 2012 season. Here is some information to start the season off right.
Projected lineup: 1, Alejandro De Aza, CF 2 A.J. Pierzynski, Catcher 3, Adam Dunn, DH 4, Paul Konerko, 1st Base 5, Alex Rios RF, 6, Alexei Ramirez SS, 7, Dayan Viciedo LF, 8, Brent Morel, 9 Gordon Beckham.
Description: Paul Konerko will once again hit clean-up for the White Sox as they look to make a run at the playoffs. With the lineup the White Sox have, they will surely be in good shape next season if Beckham, Rios, and Dunn have bounce-back years.
The Big Question: Who will be the #2 hitter? The #2 hitter should be either Brent Morel or A.J. Pierzynski. Morel has been used a lot in the #2 in Spring training games but A.J. seems like a more likely athlete.
Projected Rotation: 1 John Danks, 2 Jake Peavy, 3 Gavin Floyd, 4 Philip Humber, 5 Chris Sale
Description: The White Sox rotation looks fairly well to me. If Peavy doesn’t pan out this year you could expect the Sox to make a trade for a Starting Pitcher at the Deadline and move Peavy to the bullpen.
the Big Question: Will Chris Sale transition to a starter smoothly? I have no doubt that Sale will have a very successful season nest year and should develop to an Elite starter for the future.
Projected Bullpen: Nate Jones, Matt Thornton, Zach Stewart, Will Ohman, Jesse Crain, Hector Santiago, Addison Reed
Description: “There is no way that he (Hector Santiago) can pitch his way off the team.” -Kenny Williams You are not going to miss Sergio Santos after you see Nate Jones and Addison Reed pitch. I love the young pitchers in the bullpen. There it is in a nutshell.
The Big Question: None, thankfully
Projected Closer(s): Addison Reed, Matt Thornton
Description: I don’t think that there will be a definite closer until Addison Reed is ready. He will be the closer eventually but until then it should be Matt Thornton for the first few months of the season.
The Big Question: When will Addison Reed take over as closer? I would say that Reed should take over probably around August or September at the longest.
Description: The White Sox have a very strong bench with Lillibridge as the ultimate utility man he should get almost regular playing time.
The Big Question? How much playing time will Tyler Flowers have? This will be one of Ventura’s many tests as a manager. We know Ozzie gave A.J. almost all of the playing time but Flowers time on the field should increase.
Projected Record: 91-71 Yes who heard me but that is just one of my 3 projections. The only reason they would win 91 games would be if almost everything goes right. I think it can happen but if it doesn’t you would be looking at more of a 80-85 win team.
White Sox drop 2/3 to A’s
in heartbreaking loss as Konerko hits No. 400
erko has hit clean-up all season long this year as A.J. Pierzynski hits right behind him. The White Sox left 11 men on base in this very ugly loss. Even though they lost 2/3 to Oakland, they still went 4-2 in the six game road trip which included Philip Humber’s perfect game against Seattle.
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