Results tagged ‘ Carlos Quentin ’
Sox Make It Two Straight, Fans Rejoice
There’s no truth to the rumor that Major League Baseball is going to move the White Sox to the National League. We can only hope.
Boasting one of the best records since interleague play began, the Sox continued their dominance over the senior circuit by besting the Florida Marlins, 4-1. It was the first time that the South Siders have won two in a row since they swept the Mariners in late April.
Alex Rios, The club’s most consistent offensive performer all season, collected three RBIs, including a two-run homer while Carlos Quentin had two hits and an RBI. Gavin Floyd was much better this time out, going 6 1/3 while allowing a run and six hits with seven strikeouts. J.J. Putz, Sergio Santos and Bobby Jenks, who got the save, were stellar in relief.
It’ll be Freddy Garcia, aiming to continue his outstanding start, facing Marlins’ ace Josh Johnson as the Sox go for the sweep tomorrow.
A Positive Message From the GM, Another Failure to Win Two in a Row
Kenny Williams, above in a pose that now seems like a distant memory, addressed his troops upon their return from the 3-3 road trip.
The highlights:
–Lighten up (stop pressing, have some fun)
–He remains confident that this team can still challenge for a division title and beyond
–He’s not giving up on players like Carlos Quentin, Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez, who he expects will turn around.
–He’ll make trades only when the team forces him to.
–He has not had conversations about making changes with the manager or coaches.
The “pep talk” seemed to have little impact as the Sox once again failed to win a second consecutive game–it’s been almost a month that they did so–by dropping a 3-2 decision the Angels.
Same old story. Despite John Danks surrendering only three hits in 7 2/3 innings, the Sox could only score a pair of runs–one on a Paul Konerko homer in the ninth–and committed three errors.
It’s just hard for me to believe there won’t be some changes–and soon.
It’s Official: I’ve Had It With These Sox
I have one question after witnessing the White Sox lose another game and another series–this time to the last place Kansas City Royals, who continue to sit in last place and improved to 14-24 with today’s triumph.
Do the Sox really expect their fans to endure this team as presently constituted for the next four and a half months?
Kenny Williams has admitted he’s losing patience. Kenny, join the club. With high hopes for a division title and all the bravado about being a strong championship contender, the Pale Hose have self-destructed. Either Williams’ architecture is highly overrated or the players he acquired in the offseason are grossly underachieving–or maybe it’s a little bit of both.
There’s a lot of blame to go around. Mark Teahen, Gordon Beckham, Gavin Floyd, Carlos Quentin, A.J. Pierzynski and Mark Kotsay are at the top of my list. If Alexei Ramirez hadn’t rallied a bit recently, he’d be there too.
So, what do we do? I’m not sure, but it’s unbearable watching these guys blow leads and fail to come through in the clutch day in, day out, night in and night out.
KW, it’s time. Something needs to be done to shake things up. Whether it’s via trades, promoting prospects or reading the riot act, do it. The status quo is unacceptable.
Teahen: One of the poster boys for the Sox failures
“Did We Kick Someone’s Dog or Did Someone Put Voodoo On Us or Something?”–A.J. Pierzynski
Aside from my own anger, frustration and the fact that I throw up my hands in disgust almost every night after watching these White Sox, my thoughts turn to what Kenny Williams must be going through.
He’s as hard-working and passionate as any GM and has given us what no other front office exec has provided–a World Series championship. Of course he’s made his mistakes, but all in all he’s been outstanding at putting together contending teams. I wish the Sox could be as consistent as the Twins and various other teams, but considering the mediocrity I’ve experienced in my lifetime as a Sox fan the Williams years have been good. And as a fan, I truly appreciate how much he cares.
After last night’s embarrassing 6-1 loss to the Royals, The Sox are now seven games below .500–the same Pale Hose who many picked to win the A.L. Central. Let’s face it, right now the Sox are arguably the worst offensive team in baseball.
The facts: a .228 team batting average with a .205 mark with runners in scoring position, both last in the league. And they’ve scored just one run in their past 17 innings and three in their past 22. Last night’s lineup had four hitters batting under .200. Get the point?
The list of culprits is a long one. Juan Pierre, Gordon Beckham. A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Teahen, Alexei Ramirez, Carlos Quentin and Mark Kotsay all have underachieved. Williams must be pulling the hair out of his head. After all, he acquired every last one of these guys.
So what do we do? Keep being patient with the hope things will turn around? Blow up the team? Have a come-to-Jesus meeting? I don’t have an answer and that’s why KW makes the big bucks. But I’ll say this, he’s not going to watch this nightmare continue much longer. Mark my words, there will be changes.
Do the White Sox Need to Shake Things Up?
Some thoughts…
* I was sure we were going to sweep the Twins. After last night’s stellar victory, I thought the momentum would carry us through. No such luck. It was back to normal for the 2010 yo-yo White Sox.
* I’m worried about Carlos Quentin. Wonder if he’ll ever return to his 2008 form.
* I’m wondering if Gordon Beckham needs to regroup in Charlotte. This would have been unheard of late last summer, but maybe it would be for the best.
* I think there needs to be some changes made–yes, just for the sake of change. How about inserting some young blood to the roster in the persons of Tyler Flowers and Jordan Danks? Sources have also indicated that Kenny Williams is shopping for a bat. The bottom line is that the inconsistency of this offense has been maddening.
* After witnessing the Twins’ hot start, I don’t know if we can ever catch them even if we go on a big run. They’re good and we have a long way to go. And I haven’t even mentioned the Tigers.
* Thank goodness for Alex Rios. I declared before the season that we needed Quentin and Rios to deliver. One of two hasn’t been close to enough.
* It’s hard to believe that Mark Teahen is going to live up to the expectations of the Sox brass. He’s been better, but nowhere near what we hoped he’d be.
After a day off, the Sox travel to KC for a weekend series. No predictions from me, I’m through trying to figure out this team.
Flowers: Is it time for a one-way ticket to Chicago?
How About A Do-Over?
If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
If it’s not Gordon Beckham, it’s Juan Pierre. If it’s not Carlos Quentin, it’s A.J. Pierzynski. If it’s not Alexei Ramirez, it’s Jake Peavy. And while Paul Konerko has gotten off to a good start with eight homers, his patented ground ball double plays have proven to be a killer. Fellow Pale Hosers, it’s been a tough April.
Any good news? Well, Andruw Jones, Alex Rios and that sweep last weekend against the Mariners, which now seems like the distant past. Last night, in the 6-5 loss to Texas, Peavy settled down after the disastrous first inning, Quentin slammed a three-run homer and Pierzynski got a couple of hits. But in the end, it was still another loss with the Sox record standing at 8-13.
The South Siders try to salvage a game in Arlington this afternoon and then off to, gulp, you know where against you know who.
10 Reasons Why I’m a Happy Camper
I have to admit that I had little faith in the Sox as they entered the bottom of the ninth inning today, trailing the Mariners 4-2. I’m a glass half-full guy, but I’ve been conditioned by these 2010 Sox to expect the worst.
But the Good Guys pulled it out and I’m ecstatic. Here’s why:
1. Two consecutive walkoff homers–by Andruw Jones last night and Alex Rios today (above)–make me think the Sox are gaining their confidence and establishing themselves as a club that can indeed come back and win.
2. Happily, Rios seems to becoming the player we all thought he would be. He had a key double last night to tie the game and went 3 for 4 today with the walkoff. He’s now hitting .281.
3. Freddy Garcia was terrific–7 innings, 2 runs, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts.
4. Mark Teahen continues to contribute. He was 2 for 3 today, raising his BA to .273.
5. Sergio Santos, the “find” of spring training, pitched another scoreless inning in the eighth. His ERA? 0.00.
6, Alexei Ramirez showed signs of life by doubling in the first two Sox runs.
7. Paul Konerko, as we all know, is frustrating at times with his propensity to hit into double plays, but he also comes up big. Like today, when he hit the solo homer in the ninth to set the stage for Rio’s heroics.
8. The speed at the top of the Mariners’ lineup–Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins–was 0-7.
9. It was satisfying to beat Seattle closer David Aardsma, a miserable failure when he played on the South Side.
10. The thrilling triumph has helped me minimize the woes of Gordon Beckham, A. J. Pierzynski and Carlos Quentin, even though the latter coaxed a walk in the ninth. And, of course, Bobby Jenks who is making a habit out of retiring the first two batters he faces before he loses it.
Andruw Walks Off On His Birthday, Keeps Pale Hose Nation Off The Ledge For Now
It had all the makings of another heartbreaking loss, but Andruw Jones–celebrating his 33rd birthday–made MY wish come true tonight with a walk-off home run in the ninth to give the White Sox a 7-6 victory over the Mariners. It was his second blast of the game.
Going into the top of the seventh, the Sox looked safe with a 5-2 lead as Gavin Floyd was in control and backed up by Jones, Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin homers. But visions of a win faded quickly as Jose Lopez tagged former teammate J.J. Putz for a grand slam to put Seattle up 6-5.
The Sox tied it up in the bottom of the seventh on a clutch double by Alex Rios. They then held the Mariners scoreless in the eighth and ninth thanks to Matt Thornton‘s 2 1/3 perfect innnings, highlighted by five strikeouts. It set the stage for Jones’s two-out heroics.
Andruw, thanks, we needed that. Happy Birthday and many more.
Is This For Real?
Our Ozzie is on the record as saying that meetings are for losers. Well, after last night’s 12-0 humiliation at the hands of the Rays, the skipper met with his troops.
From all reports it was a pep talk after the 5-10 start. In essence, he told them to relax, to have fun, forget the first few games and move on from here.
It’s pretty obvious that the Sox–especially the offense–are pressing and no doubt embarrassed by what has transpired so far. All you have to do is look at the averages to see why they’ve struggled:
Juan Pierre, .214
Gordon Beckham, .228
Carlos Quentin, .176
Paul Konerko, .245
A.J. Pierzynski, .174
Alex Rios, .250
Mark Teahen, .222
Alexei Ramirez, .208
Andrew Jones is the only exception at .294.
“He (Guillen) knows we’re trying to get better, Beckham said. “It’s our job. It’s our life. We want to win. And we’re not doing it.”
Quentin is one of the poster boys for the Sox offensive woes
Can the Sox Win a Series in Toronto?
It was one of those “sit back, relax and enjoy” nights. As they say, a laugher. A total of 11 runs, 15 hits and a gem by one of your aces will do that.
In the 11-1 Sox victory in Toronto last night, John Danks gave up a mere two singles in seven innings. Carlos Quentin blasted a grand slam and drove in six runs. Andruw Jones added a homer and had three hits. Four players–Quentin, Juan Pierre, Gordon Beckham and AJ Pierzynski–had two hits apiece. My guy Donny Lucy pinch-hit a double.
The South Siders, with Freddy Garcia on the hill, can move to .500 tonight with a win. They also can win the four-game series after the 10 consecutive losses at the Rogers Centre.
Our Ozzie
Why Ozzie is talking about getting another job with two years to go on his contract is beyond me. But that’s our Ozzie. In a story by Mark Gonzales in today’s Chicago Tribune, the Sox skipper talked about his future if he ever severed ties with the White Sox.
“There are a lot of horse (bleep) managers out there that were given two and three shots to manage in the big leagues. I don’t see why not me…if I get fired I will tell (Jerry Reinsdorf) to fire Steve Stone, Farmio (Ed Farmer) or DJ (Darrin Jackson). I want that job.” Ozzie was of course referring to being in the broadcast booth.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
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