White Sox play hideously, lose appropriately

Jul 23, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman

(24) watches the game from the dugout against the Chicago White Sox at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

There was a crime against baseball committed on the South side Tuesday night and everyone’s a suspect.

Was it the typically piss-poor defense that doomed the Sox to a lifeless 6-2 loss to the division-leading Tigers? They collectively committed four errors and opened the door for three unearned runs, after all, and have committed many unspeakable acts before. As the fates would have it, Adam Dunn extending the first inning by blowing up a pick-off play when he blocked Torii Hunter in the baseline wound up being the least damaging gaffe of the night. The furor in the wake of the baffling-looking play resulted in Robin Ventura getting ejected, but at least someone was spared.

Was it the control problems of Hector Santiago? A tight strike was foisted upon both starters, but Santiago, whose control will be his ruin if he has one, is the least equipped to deal with the restrictions of any pitcher of either clubhouse’s starting rotation. He walked five in six innings of work, including a free pass with the bases loaded during a three-run fourth, allowed six runs (three earned) and torturously tried to resolve the loss of his ability to spot his fastball by slowing his pace to a hapless death crawl.

Or maybe it was the offense. After all, they didn’t score a single run against the Tigers’ fifth starter over seven innings. Jeff Keppinger bounced out meekly to third with the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning, killing the moment that most closely resembled a White Sox threat to take the lead, and the Sox hit total battled their error total to a brutal and bloody draw until the ninth.

There’s enough to convict them all, really, but Dayan Viciedo, bobbling a ball at the wall twice in the same play, turning an RBI triple into two-run error-assisted inside-the-parker (not really, but you know what I mean), will probably take the fall for being the most highlight-worthy, but Conor Gillaspie kicking a grounder to start off a three-run fourth should be listed as an accomplice.

Two leadoff walks from Al Albuquerque and a Paul Konerko, professional hitter-flourish, pushing a two-run double down the right field line saved the Sox from their 10th shutout of the season.

Team Record: 39-58

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