White Sox much worse at hitting than Orioles are at pitching
By James Fegan
Good for those guys. // Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
The White Sox scored as many runs Friday as I threw couches off balconies, but I think I got a fair bit closer.
Flummoxed for the second-straight night by a journeyman right-hander, a moribund lineup that featured Jeff Keppinger batting third, Leury Garcia and twin bust prospects in the outfield corners was shut out by Scott Feldman in a 4-0 sleeper in Baltimore to keep the White Sox’ eight-game losing streak cooking at full boil. Keppinger actually had two of the Sox five hits, but they were both singles. The White Sox did not have an extra-base hit. They often do not come across these.
John Danks, facing pretty much the worst matchup and worst setting possible for his current home run-ridden form, suffered his anticipated fate in allowing three Orioles dingers over 5.1 innings, eventually being chased by back-to-back shots from Chris Davis and Matt Wieters with one out in the sixth and the Sox down 4-0. Maybe he’d have been more successful if the game had taken place in a humidor, but probably not since the White Sox would have still gotten shut out.
If there’s an upside to the team barreling off a cliff to begin the last month of the season, it’s that Robin Ventura will empty the back of bullpen and let the kids see the mound and touch a baseball for once in their sheltered existences. Jake Petricka and Daniel Webb both made scoreless, otherwise nondescript appearances. Garcia also got to play, which is good for him, even if did not seem to amount to much. Don Cooper “HAD THE FLU” and got to escape.
Josh Phegley had a single. Otherwise, everyone who did something positive offensively is over 30 and on the decline. Something is wrong with Gordon Beckham (0-8 with four strikeouts in his last two games).
The White Sox have to play a game tomorrow, but at least Avisail Garcia will likely be back. He’s been on the team a month and he’s already the only reason to watch unless Chris Sale is going to become a daily fixture.
Team Record: 56-84
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