Anybody For Some Strikeout?

Introduction: As we learn the game of baseball, we know there exists an inexcusable. As little leaguers we are coaxed into thinking that even though we committed the unthinkable, we tried as hard we could and we await redemption. Rarely will a stranger tell us after the game "hey...great job missing the ball", or "wow...i wish I got to miss pitches like that." The problem is, major league baseball players are PROFESSIONALS and they are paid insane amounts of money to HIT the ball. Lately, for one ball club, notably the White Sox: the Sox batters are still awaiting redemption.

What's Happening: For White Sox bats, a whole lot of striking out. Through 33 games this season, the White Sox have struck out a whopping 228 times. That's just under eight times per game. Strikeouts typically have a domino affect that can plague a clubhouse from top to bottom. Men being left on base, runners stranded in scoring position, stroking the opposing pitcher's ego, and of course, losing games.

Who is hurting most: Jim Thome has to be at the top of this list. Thome has struck out 33 times in 88 plate appearances (.375) Jermaine Dye has had some issues of his own at the plate. In 113 appearance at the dishe, Dye has K'd 32 times (.282) As nice as Josh Field has looked at the plate at times, Fields has struck out 39 times in 115 plate appearances .(339)

Good Eye: In just 97 plate appearances, Pierzynski has struck out only 7 times (.072)

Overheard By Ozzie: "People on base, we strike out. Lead off an inning, we strike out. We have to cut that. That's a big part of the game. You put the ball in play, you have a better chance. We really strike out too much, even the guys who strike out. "

Now What? I could fill this answer with a slew of 'Hawk'isms. Hunkering down....etc. Truth is, The White Sox' bats are in a funk. Any fan who believes that replacing Greg Walker is the answer, has short term memory issues. Certainly somebody needs to be accountable, but this is on the players not the coaches.

Same Old Story

Just In: Behind Gavin Floyd (2-3), The White Sox dropped the opener in Cleveland tonight by a score of 9-4. Floyd was tagged for eight runs and 11 hits over five innings. Jimmy Gobble, who was brought up from Charlotte earlier in the day, replaced Floyd in the sixth, allowing one run on two hits in one inning of work.

Off The Hook: Carl Pavano (3-3) won his third straight outing with the help of his breaking ball. Pavano scattered 10 hits on four runs over 6 1/3. Pavano was masterful in getting his breaking ball to work for him, as Sox bats were fishing most of the night.

Need a Hit? Getting hits did not seem to be an issue for the Sox tonight, as they cracked out a dozen. Getting hits when they needed them was another issue. The Sox stranded 16 baserunners with four in scoring position. Konerko (.307), Thome (.212), Pierzynski (.301) and Fields (.255) all had multi-hit games.

Next Up: Cleveland-Tomorrow 6:05 CST Jacobs Field

"Eaton em' up"

It was a day Bartolo Colon (1-1) didn't need his translator. He knew. After only 63 pitches into the White Sox 6-2 loss at Baltimore, Ozzie Guillen had seen enough. Colon worked three innings, surrendering five runs on eight hits and two walks. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen decided to remove Colon early when it was apparent he didn't have his best stuff. "He was not throwing strikes. The ball was not moving," White Sox Ozzie Guillen said. "You got to throw strikes. Every time he put the ball in the middle of the plate, he got hit." Oriloes starter Adam Eaton (1-2) however, was stellar in his seven inning outing, earning his first victory at Camden Yards. Eaton struck out nine batters, including Jim Thome and Josh Fields three times each. Eaton did not look like the same pitcher who had entered the game with a 9.00 ERA. He had frustrated Sox bats all evening, not allowing back to back base runners. Eaton departed in the eighth inning, following what would be the Sox first batsman to reach base on a extra base-hit. Eaton left the game to a standing ovation of 11,723. "It's been a while since I've been part of an experience like that," Eaton said. "It felt good to be out on the field shaking hands after a something like that." The White Sox now head home to begin a six game home stand which will begin with Toronto this evening. The Sox finished up the 10 game road trip (5-4). They will make up a called game later this season.

Loose Sox: Jim Thome is one RBI shy of the 1500 mark. Thome drove in the Sox only two runs of last night's game.

Dank You Very Much

Coming into the 2009 season both Gavin Floyd and John Danks had some pretty big shoes to fill. Their own. Last season, the pitching duo surprised the baseball world combining on 28 wins. Collectively, they earned an ERA just under 4, with a respectable 3.79. Out of the gate both starters have ignited a pitching rotation that had many in baseball circles speculating just how effective it could be. Last night in Baltimore, John Danks (2-0) helped evaporate some of that speculation. Danks was solid in his third start of the season helping the White Sox to a 8-2 win over the Orioles. Danks pitched a solid seven innings allowing only one run on four hits and no walks. John retired 19 of the final 21 batters. "My job is to go out there and put up zeros on the board," Danks said, "but the runs did help for sure." Chicago only needed three runs to support Danks in his outing, but supplied more. Jim Thome's (4) opposite field solo shot in the fourth was all the insurance the lefty needed in securing his second victory of the season. Chris Getz and Josh Fields both continued to solidify the top of the batting order. Getz had three hits for the game including a two out RBI single in the third and Fields (1) homered in the seventh off Dennis Sarfate. "We don't have to rely on just the big boys. Everyone contributed," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Getz had a big game and I am excited about Fields." Bartlo Colon will look for his second victory of the season on Thursday, while Baltimore counters with Adam Eaton.

Loose Sox: Jim Thome (545) is three home runs from tying Mike Schmidt (548) for 13th on the all-time list for homers.

In his three starts this season, John Danks has only given up two runs. Both were home runs.

A LuLu Jim Dandy

Hawk Harrelson called this one a "LuLu Jim Dandy." That in itself deserves a seperate post; along with every other Hawkism. The White Sox took the first game of their series with the Devil Rays 3-2 down in St. Pete.

John Danks got his first victory of the season following a no decision back in Chicago. Danks was excellent, knocking out eight Rays batters, while allowing one run in six solid. Carlos Pena was responsible for Danks only mistake, a homer with one out in the sixth. It was the only run Danks has allowed in 12 innings this season. Danks improved his record to 4-1 against Tampa Bay. All the victories coming in Tampa.

It was the bats that were most frustrating to watch. The Pale Hose were 3-13 with runners in scoring position and only advanced a runner past home plate one of those times. Failure to advance runners and capitalize on runners in scoring position is something the Sox will need to address if they intend on contending. It was power that lifted the team once again. Jermaine Dye (3) homered off Tampa Bay starter Jeff Nieman (0-2) in the second inning. It was homer number 140 for Jermaine, since joining the White Sox in 2005. The Sox tagged the Rays pitchers for 14 hits, while only scoring three times. Josh Fields' infield single in the ninth inning turned out to be the difference. Fields entered Thursday night's game batting .333.

Tampa Bay threatened in the bottom of the ninth. With runners on second and third, with two outs, Bobby Jenks got Gabe Gross to hit into a 3 unassisted. Bobby Jenks earned his third save.

Loose Sox

Following the end of the 3:10 game, Hawk belted out MERCY and THIS BALL GAME IS OOOOOVER; then added "This was a LULU JIm Dandy of a game."

Attendace at Thurday's game drew only 13,803. This was a home opener.

"HoSay it ain't so"

On a day when the baseball world paid homage to Jackie Robinson, the Detroit Tigers paid their own special tribute to Mark Fidrych. ...and then Jose Contreas. Jose Contreas (0-2) lost his sixth straight decision to Detroit dating back to August 11, 2006 on Wednesday afternoon. Contreas and the Sox took a 9-0 shalacking at Comerica park.

Tigers starter Armando Galarraga (2-0) was superb in his effort. Galarraga limited Sox bats to only 4 hits while striking out five in 7 1/3. White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen acknowledges Galarraga's effort, but thought his team beat themselves. "He was very good, but we let him off the hook too many times," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He's a good pitcher, but we were chasing his slider when we needed hits."

Whatever the case, the Sox could not advance runners when they needed to and Galarraga made pitches rather mistakes. "He made every pitch he needed to make," Josh Fields said. "We got some runners on base, but then he shut us down. That's what we saw on film from him -- he's really good." The scoreboard didn't show any runs for either team until the bottom of the fifth. Placido Polanco put a two spot on the board with a two run double in the inning. The Tigers never looked back. Rather, the Sox never looked ahead.