Absolutely nothing at all to see here–Sox fall to 20 under .500
By James Fegan
Jul 24, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam Dunn (32) reaches for and misses the ball as Detroit Tigers shortstop Hernan Perez (26) is able to make it to second base during the game at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports
Say what you will about Tuesday’s night gaffe-soaked defeat, where the Sox waited until the ninth for their hits to outnumber their errors, but at least it had pizazz. There were interesting factoids to follow. Paul Konerko did a thing. The fans booed voraciously tonight but at least they were engaged
Wednesday’s night’s affair, removed from any illusion of competition when Prince Fielder clocked a three-run moonshot to right 10 minutes in, felt as long as nine more weeks of White Sox sounds as a concept. Knocked out of the game early in the 6-2 defeat, the demoralizedU.S. Celluar crowd spent the night reduced to a hiss similar to the end of an audio cassette.
John Danks entered the night beset with home runs problems. He had allowed 14 long balls through 69.2 frames of work, and after splitting the plate with an 89 mph to Fielder and two failed attempts to bust Austin Jackson and Torii Hunter inside, three more were added to that troubling total. Danks can still throw a changeup, but to live like he used to, he’s going to need to be able to command the inner half of the plate against right-handers again. To do it at 89 mph looks like too much to ask of his command so far. It’s a lot to ask of anyone’s.
Having finally entered into trade rumors earlier in the day, Alejandro De Aza was one of the few kids who got to go out to recess on time while the rest of the class is held back to be harangued. He singled twice, doubled and walked, stole a base, advanced to third on a bad throw on that stolen base and was stranded on third despite reaching that magical destination with no one out in the first inning. To counter, Alex Rios went 0-5. Balance is beautiful.
Considering they were never in the game and fooled by Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez‘s changeup all night, the White Sox offense impressively ground out 11 hits, yet only two of which went for extra-bases. Their opponent scored five of their six runs via the home run. A lesson is here.
Dayan Viciedo intoned that lesson, and lined his ninth home run of the season (and fourth against Detroit) just over the right field wall to lead off the ninth inning. Unfortunately, not realizing the value of dingers is actually not on Viciedo’s list of pressing issues.
Team Record: 39-59
Follow James Fegan on Twitter @JRFegan