One Hawk Harrelson saying that actually makes sense to me is, "You're never as bad as you look when you're losing, and you're never as good as you look when you're winning."
There's just one problem with this White Sox team: It's never looked nearly as good at its best as it does bad at its worst. Granted, it can always get worse -- take a look at the New York Mets -- but I don't think you can find sloppier back-to-back days anywhere else in Major League Baseball this season.
Two things have become clear after another egrocious loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
No. 1: Nobody can complain about attendance through the end of the year.
Sox fans have heard that they haven't shown up a couple times this season. The Sox front office experienced a rude awakening during the Dodgers series, and Kenny Williams also said lack of support would prevent him from making moves any bigger than a trade for Tony Pena.
I'm not saying people shouldn't go, but it's not an easy sell. They drew more than 100,000 for a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, and dropped two of three to the worst road team in the league. Then they start a road trip with two agonizing losses, although I've resorted to laughing at every miscue. It's probably not healthy.
The Sox have made a habit of giving gifts to their opponents, but as they showed on Tuesday night, they're not particularly keen on receiving them. That doesn't put them in a position to beg for charity from their fans.
Next year is shaping up to be far more promising, and if they can avoid alienating the fan base further with their play, they'll have more room for requests.
No. 2: Jose Contreras might've been the beginning of a busy season for the Death Panel.
And Jermaine Dye, after failing to score a runner from third with less than two outs for the second straight night, has suddenly moved to the front of the line.
Ozzie Guillen moved Dye from the third spot to the fifth spot with no immediate results, and he's running out of time to turn it around. A poor defensive player and baserunner can only post a sub-.600 OPS for so long.
He's definitely keeping the door open for Jim Thome. Ozzie Guillen reiterated that his club is "very righty," and with Thome having a very consistent season while Dye falters, it's entirely possible Thome could be offered a one-year contract.
Personally, I'm thinking the Sox may make another run at Bobby Abreu in the offseason should he become available. He basically fits the Sox's needs with a short-term contract, offering far more flexibility than either Dye or Thome could offer, and Williams doesn't shy away from revisiting old flames.
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Minor league roundup:
- West Tenn 6, Birmingham 4
- Jordan Danks went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.
- Dayan Viciedo did the same, without the walk.
- Christian Marrero and John Shelby each had one hit; C.J. Retherford went 0-for-4.
- Clevelan Santeliz pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two.
- Salem 4, Winston-Salem 3
- Justin Edwards allowed one run on eight hits and three walks over six innings, striking out three.
- Justin Greene went 2-for-4.
- Brent Morel went 0-for-4, but stole his 23rd base.
- Kannapolis 4, Greeneville 3
- Brandon Short went 1-for-3 with three RBI.
- Jared Mitchell drew a walk and struck out in four plate appearances; Josh Phegley wore the collar.
- Daniel Black went 0-for-1 with three walks.
- Stephen Sauer pitched a quality start: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.
- Dan Remenowsky struck out five over two scoreless innings for the save.
- Kingsport 13, Bristol 5
- Trayce Thompson tripled, singled and drove in three.
- Miguel Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a double and two strikeouts.
- Jeffer Petino went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
- Nobody pitched well.
- Great Falls vs. Missoula
- Larry Doyle struck out 12 over seven innings, with a solo homer serving as the only run among three hits and one walk.
