posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:04 AM
by
Jim
Gearing up for a laborious September
Hope everybody had a restful weekend solemnly honoring the memory of Samuel Gompers. With the White Sox and Twins now owning identical records, it's going to be quite the gulag.
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Rosters expanded, and the Sox added four names to the roster for now:
Mike MacDougal: MacDougal
turned it on in August for Charlotte, allowing a .177 batting average, inducing grounders at a 70 percent rate, and striking out 23 to nine walks over 16 2/3 innings. He began his return nicely with
a 1-2-3 inning Monday, needing only seven pitches. A strong September would go a long way toward restoring his reputation.
I enjoyed his quote:
"I had a good season," said MacDougal, who will be paid $2.65 million next season. "Good times."
Jerry Owens: Give him credit --
he never fails to be optimistic:
CLEVELAND - Jerry Owens was expected to be the White Sox's 2008
center fielder. But a groin injury during spring training and
subsequent demotion to Triple-A Charlotte actually has convinced Owens
he's a better player.
"I think I am, just from the mental aspect of it," said Owens, who was
one of four Charlotte players who joined the Sox on Monday.
The Sox now have a second pinch runner they've sorely lacked, and
Mark Gonzalez seems to like poking fun at Owens' bat more than I do.
Ehren Wassermann: Gets a third chance to prove he can retire major leaguers this season, after pitching so very well in Charlotte between the promotions.
Paul Phillips: Was once called Raul Phillips by a PA announcer in spring training.
Josh Fields and Chris Getz are likely to be promoted as well. There's no indication that Aaron Poreda will be involved, so let's hope Boone Logan's two-up, two-down performance in his return Monday is indicative of future appearances.
Scott Linebrink, meanwhile, is off the DL and
targeting a Wednesday return.
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Minor league roundup:- Charlotte 6, Durham 1
- Charlie Haeger went the distance, with a solo homer the only damage. He struck out seven while scattering five other hits and issuing zero walks.
- Jason Bourgeois went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
- Cole Armstrong doubled and drove in two runs.
- Fernando Cortez went 3-for-4; Jason Tyner and Royce Huffman had two hits apiece.
- Winston-Salem 6, Frederick 4
- Brett Bonvechio went 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBI.
- C.J. Retherford pounded three hits.
- Estee Harris, Francisco Hernandez, Sergio Miranda and Dale Mollenhauer had two apiece.
- Anthony Carter threw a lot of pitches -- 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.
- West Virginia 4, Kannapolis 3
- Brent Morel homered for the second straight game, part of a 2-for-3, three-RBI night. He also drew a walk.
- Jordan Danks wore the silver sombrero, but walked in his other plate appearance.
- Christian Marrero had three hits; Matt Inouye reached base three times, with his only hit a double.
- Birmingham vs. Mobile CANCELED
- Great Falls vs. Billings PPD