I came back from Chicago just in time to make the drive to Woodstock and see The Hold Steady. As it turned out, I didn't miss much on Thursday night as far as the White Sox are concerned.
The good news is that the minor league season opened up, bringing the return of the curse of the minor league roundup.
But while fast-forwarding to get to the crucial parts of the Sox's 5-3 loss to Cleveland, a few things about the way this year has opened struck me funny, like how:
*The offense that's built for cold weather is hitting .154, the worst average in baseball.
*The offense that isn't supposed to walk has drawn 19 free passes, first in the American League.
*The only hitters contributing are the proven ones -- Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin, Gordon Beckham and Alex Rios. Wishcasting hasn't helped yet.
*Ozzie Guillen thinks Juan Pierre needs Gordon Beckham to bunt him over twice.
*Scott Linebrink hasn't been seen in either a blowout or an extra-inning game.
I don't think it's coincidental that Jim Thome went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, three RBI and a walk Thursday night.
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Minor league roundup:
- Gwinnett 8, Charlotte 6
- Tyler Flowers went 2-for-4 with a home run, striking out once. He committed a throwing error.
- Jordan Danks hit a two-run homer and struck out once as well.
- Dayan Viciedo had two singles; Brent Lillibridge doubled and drove in two.
- C.J. Retherford went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
- Lucas Harrell got off to a bad start: 5 2/3 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 4 K.
- Greg Aquino allowed a run on two hits over 1 1/3 innings, taking the loss.
- Carolina 4, Birmingham 2
- Brent Morel went 1-for-4 with a double.
- John Shelby singled and stole a base; the Barons had just five hits on the night.
- Matt Long allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings, striking out one.
- Winston-Salem 7, Kinston 1
- Eduardo Escobar went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored. Only drawback: He was caught stealing twice.
- Kenny Williams Jr. hit a solo shot.
- Josh Phegley singled twice and struck out twice.
- Justin Edwards allowed one run on five hits and a walk over six innings, striking out three.
- Dan Remenowsky struck out three and walked one over two scoreless innings; Gregory Infante pitched a scoreless ninth.
- Kannapolis vs. Rome PPD
