Sunday, March 30, 2008
History Lesson 1.4
History Lesson 1.4
Saturday, March 29, 2008
White Sox History Lesson 1.3
For more, see www.whitesoxalmanac.com
TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME? YOU’RE TRADED
1971: The White Sox traded first baseman-outfielder Tommy McCraw, a member of the organization since 1960, to the Washington Senators for outfielder Ed Stroud, who had previously been with the team in 1966 and 1967. McCraw was solid performer in his eight years with the Sox, hitting between .220 and .261. He was a rare commodity in Sox history, a leadoff hitting first baseman with speed. McCraw swiped at least12 bases in seven of his eight seasons with the Sox. McCraw experienced the best and worst of the game in his time in Sox yarns. On May 24, 1967, McCraw clubbed three home runs and drove in a franchise-record eight runs in a 14-1 win at Minnesota. On May 3, 1968, McCraw tied an A.L. record by committing three errors in an inning. Stroud didn’t pan out in 1971, hitting just .171 in 53 games.
OFF IN A HUFF
1994: The White Sox traded utilityman Mike Huff to the Toronto Blue Jays for first baseman Domingo Martinez. Huff, a graduate of New Trier East High School and Northwestern University, played with the Sox from 1991 to 1993 serving mostly as a reserve outfielder. Martinez, who had gotten into 15 games with Toronto in 1992 and 1993, never played for the White Sox. He did go on to have a solid 1994 at Triple-A Nashville, hitting .270 with 22 home runs and 81 RBIs. 1994 turned out to be Martinez’s only season in the Sox chain.
BREAKING IN BANK ONE BALLPARK … SIMAS DEMOTED
1998: The White Sox closed out their inaugural spring training in Arizona by defeating the Diamondbacks 3-0 before 48,198 in the first game ever at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. … After the game, the Sox optioned pitcher Bill Simas to Triple-A Calgary because they were convinced the right-hander’s velocity had not returned after shoulder surgery. Simas, a staple in the Sox pen the previous three years, returned to Chicago after making five minor league appearances and wound up leading the team with 18 saves. Simas’ season also included 13 consecutive successful save chances.
3/28 Sox vs. Tex
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MacDougal pitched to 3 batters in the 7th. WP: Jenks. Pitches-strikes: Danks 83-49, Jenks 17-11, MacDougal 12-5, Logan 20-13, Carrasco 10-4, Guardado 7-5, Wright 16-9, Benoit 15-9, Wilson 31-15, Fukumori 10-7, German 21-9, Rupe 26-13, Tejeda 15-10, Littleton 16-10. Ground outs-fly outs: Danks 6-4, Jenks 0-1, MacDougal 0-0, Logan 3-1, Carrasco 1-2, Guardado 2-0, Wright 1-1, Benoit 2-0, Wilson 2-0, Fukumori 2-1, German 1-2, Rupe 1-1, Tejeda 1-0, Littleton 1-1. Batters faced: Danks 22, Jenks 4, MacDougal 3, Logan 6, Carrasco 3, Guardado 3, Wright 5, Benoit 3, Wilson 7, Fukumori 3, German 5, Rupe 7, Tejeda 3, Littleton 3. Inherited runners-scored: Logan 2-1. Umpires: HP: Casey Moser. 1B: Ted Barrett. 2B: . 3B: Rob Drake. Weather: 58 degrees, overcast. Wind: 18 mph, In from CF. T: 3:06. Att: 13,066. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WHITE SOX 5, RANGERS 4
at Oklahoma City
Friday, March 28
White Sox at the plate: Paul Konerko hit a towering two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning down the left-field line, his third of the spring. He followed that with a single before being replaced in the sixth. Juan Uribe smacked his eighth double of the spring as part of his two-hit night. His average improved to .389. Alexei Ramirez added two hits, including an RBI single in the seventh.
Rangers at the plate: Coming off his first home run of the spring on Thursday, Milton Bradley continued his hot hitting, driving home two runs on a first-inning single. Michael Young had two hits with an RBI single in the seventh. Ben Broussard went 2-for-3 with a double.
White Sox on the mound: Starter John Danks went five innings. After a shaky first frame, Danks allowed three hits in his final four innings, giving up two runs in his last exhibition outing. Bobby Jenks was able to escape harm in the sixth when Alexei Ramirez threw out Marlon Byrd at the plate.
Rangers on the mound: Eddie Guardado made a rare starting appearance, as Ron Washington's plan was to try to give as many relievers an appearance as possible. Guardado, Jamey Wright and Joaquin Benoit each pitched a scoreless frame. Closer C.J. Wilson had a rough outing in the fourth, giving up a two-run homer.
Spring Training records: White Sox 11-18-3; Rangers 17-11-2.
Up next for the White Sox: The White Sox play the New York Mets in their final exhibition game at the second annual Civil Rights game in Memphis, televised on ESPN at 4:05 p.m. CT. Jose Contreras gets the start against the Mets' John Maine.
Up next for the Rangers: The Rangers conclude their spring with an exhibition game at their Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders at 1:05 p.m. CT.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Talk is cheap, as the old saying goes.
Nobody understands that cliché better than White Sox general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen.
Throughout the past offseason and Spring Training, the leaders of the White Sox have spoken of the vast improvements made to the team. They have talked liberally about the building of a playoff and even World Series contender, erasing last year's debacle.
But the architect and the engineer of 2005's championship effort stand more than ready for this optimism to start playing out on the field. That first test emanating from a brutally tough opening two months comes on Monday against the defending American League Central champs from Cleveland and the reigning AL Cy Young winner in C.C. Sabathia.
Let the doubters take their best respective shots. Their words don't mean much either to the determined White Sox.
"Our pitching staff will be fine," said Williams, in a quick look at this team. "The key will be offensively, how much we fight on an at-bat-to-at-bat basis."
Calling card
Although the offense certainly didn't shine through during a surprisingly dismal year with the bat, the White Sox will hit. They have added Nick Swisher to an already powerful middle of the order and have speed to burn in leadoff man Jerry Owens and No. 2 hitter Orlando Cabrera. This offense should return to its 2006 high-octane form.
Projected starting lineup |
| 1. 2B Pablo Ozuna |
| 2. SS Orlando Cabrera |
| 3. DH Jim Thome |
| 4. 1B Paul Konerko |
| 5. RF Jermaine Dye |
| 6. LF Nick Swisher |
| 7. 3B Joe Crede |
| 8. C A.J. Pierzynski |
| 9. CF Jerry Owens |
Projected rotation |
| 1. LHP Mark Buehrle |
| 2. RHP Javier Vazquez |
| 3. LHP John Danks |
| 4. RHP Jose Contreras |
| 5. RHP Gavin Floyd |
Projected bullpen |
| Closer: RHP Bobby Jenks |
| Setup: RHP Octavio Dotel |
| Setup: LHP Matt Thornton |
| Middle: RHP Scott Linebrink |
| Middle: RHP Ehren Wassermann |
| Middle: LHP Boone Logan |
| Long: RHP Mike MacDougal |
Jose Contreras, Gavin Floyd and John Danks all have found various degrees of success over the past two seasons as starters, including Contreras' franchise-record 17 straight winning decisions, an amazing run which ended on July 4, 2006. But this trio needs to avoid the combined struggles faced during prolonged stretches from last year in order to solidify the rotation, with Contreras actually having lost a Major League-worst 26 times since the 2006 All-Star break. This team will go as far as its pitching staff can push it.
You'll know they're rollin if ...
Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel are the answers to the question of, 'Who can get the ball successfully to closer Bobby Jenks?' The bullpen was nothing short of a disaster for much of last year, but adding the two best setup men who were available over the offseason should help turn a weakness into a strength. Matt Thornton and Mike MacDougal also need to bounce back from rough 2007 campaigns to complete the relief crew.
You'll know they're in trouble if ...
A large portion of the White Sox runs come via the long ball. Hitting coach Greg Walker makes no excuses for his team's power in the middle of the lineup, especially playing in a hitter-friendly ballpark such as U.S. Cellular Field. But Cabrera, Swisher and Alexei Ramirez were added to give the White Sox a bit more balance, giving them the chance to grind out runs like they did during 2005's special season.
Testing, testing
A barometer as to where this team actually stands will come during the first road trip of the season, weather permitting. The White Sox open with three games at Progressive Field and follow that series with three weekend games at Comerica Park. The Indians finished 11-7 against the South Siders last year, while the White Sox won their third straight season series from the Tigers and eighth in nine years. Guillen's crew needs to knock off at least one of these two in the long run to reach the playoffs.
Interleague Play
The good news for the White Sox is they now seem to play the Pirates on a yearly basis, whether the National League Central is on the schedule or not. The even better news is while they host the Rockies and travel to face the Dodgers, the White Sox also visit the Giants and won't face either Arizona or San Diego from the NL West. Of course, the six games with the Cubs always bring a playoff-like atmosphere, and the White Sox will try to avenge last year's 1-5 showing against their crosstown rivals.
The Bottom Line
Williams did a great job of addressing the weaknesses on this team, and even strengthening some of the already sturdy spots. It will be tough for the White Sox to make up some 20 games from 2007, an increase they probably would need to reach the postseason out of baseball's toughest division, but look for a highly competitive ballclub.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
A.J. Pierzynski had to go back 14 years to answer the following question:
When was the last time he played on a losing team?
"The Minor Leagues, I think," Pierzynski said. "I can only remember being on one during my first year in the Gulf Coast League. It has been a long time."
Those GCL Twins saw Pierzynski as a member in 1994, so it's been quite a run of success since the White Sox catcher has held a featured role on a debacle such as last year's 72-90 showing from the South Siders. It certainly was the first losing team Pierzynski played on during seven full seasons in the Major Leagues.
It was no prize for the organization as a whole, either. The White Sox last losing season came in 1999 (75-86), and the team hadn't dropped as many as 90 since 1989 (68-92).
But the 2007 season now stands as nothing more than an unpleasant but distant memory. The White Sox have a somewhat new alignment in 2008, on display Monday afternoon at 2:05 CT in Cleveland, with general manager Ken Williams adding Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel and Alexei Ramirez to give the team a different look and feel.
Dotel and Linebrink provide all-encompassing band-aids to one of baseball's biggest open wounds last year in the White Sox bullpen. But factoring in the attitude and talent Swisher and Cabrera bring to the equation, they could provide the biggest immediate impact.
"Swisher makes a big difference to keep this team together," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.
"To add two professional hitters is huge," White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker added. "The biggest news is that Cabrera and Swisher are exactly what we thought they were going to be. That's not a surprise, but to actually see them in the [batting] cage and see how they go about their business, they are low-maintenance pros, winning players who bring a lot of energy."
In order to avoid a repeat of last year's precipitous drop, the White Sox need Jose Contreras to bounce back and produce near his 2006 All-Star form, young starters such as John Danks and Gavin Floyd to work deep into games, bridge men who can get the ball to All-Star closer Bobby Jenks and an offense that can grind out runs. Easier said than done, right?
Pierzynski, for one, believes the above challenge is achievable. He doesn't foresee a second losing year on his big league resume.
"It was tough," said Pierzynski of 2007. "I mean, going through that, and with the expectations to win we had coming in for the team. It just changes when you lose every day. It's tougher to come to the park, and not as fun.
"So, it's just one of those things, a bump in the road. It was a fluke year, and it's over. Now, we go in very confident."
Pitching matchup
CWS: LHP Mark Buehrle (10-9, 3.63 ERA in 2007)
The $56 million man makes his sixth Opening Day start in the past seven years.
CLE: LHP C.C. Sabathia (19-7, 3.21 ERA)
The lefty as a 2-0 record in the past four head-to-head starts with Buehrle.
Tidbits
The right-handed-hitting Ryan Garko and Jason Michaels both figure to be in the lineup against Buehrle, and that's good news for Cleveland. Garko has seven hits in 11 at-bats against the White Sox ace, who is 5-4 lifetime at Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) while Michaels is 10-for-28 with two home runs against the lefty.
TUCSON, Ariz. -- There were no final farewells as the White Sox closed their Cactus League season Thursday and prepared to leave Tucson for a pair of weekend exhibition games in Oklahoma City and Memphis.
Amid swirling rumors and speculation about the White Sox future Spring Training home, manager Ozzie Guillen made it clear that he expected the team to return in 2009, dismissing the notion that Thursday's loss to the D-backs could have been the team's final game at Tucson Electric Park.
"I hope not," Guillen stressed. "Because when we play the last game here, I expect better stuff from me. I want to be on the field and blow people kisses and say goodbye, make sure I go to a nice restaurant and say goodbye to my friends here. I went to a couple nice restaurants in Tucson, and I told all the guys, I expect to be back next year."
The White Sox have a 15-year lease at TEP that expires at the end of 2012, and though the club is interested in joining the Dodgers at a new two-team facility in Glendale, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix, next season, there remains significant obstacles standing in the way of escaping their lease, most notably, finding a team to replace them at the facility.
From Guillen's perspective, an appreciation for Tucson is not an issue.
"I love Tucson," Guillen said. "To be honest with you, the only thing I hate about Tucson is the ballpark. The Tucson Electric Park field is brutal. It's windy, it's cold, it's dusty. There's too much wind every day. It's hard for me to judge players when the wind is blowing out every day. It's hard to make a good decision.
"Besides that, I love Tucson," Guillen added. "I'm not going to move here, because it's too far away from Venezuela, I'll be honest with you. But I like it here. I have a great time here. All the restaurants are real quiet, nice people."
For now, for Guillen, it appears he'll save his send off for another year, trading the promise of blowing kisses for the uncertain excitement of another season watching his players wrestle the familiar winds of TEP.
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History Lesson 1.2
MARCH 28TH
THE START OF A TRAGEDY
1940: According to baseballlibrary.com, White Sox second baseman Jackie Hayes caught a cinder in his eye during a 10-1 exhibition loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. An infection ensued and Hayes, a top fielder in his day, eventually lost sight in the eye. By 1943, he was totally blind. According to White Sox historian Rich Lindberg, Hayes complained of vision problems early in spring training and was told by team doctors it was an infection and would clear itself up quickly. In late July, Lindberg wrote in The White Sox Encyclopedia, Hayes was diagnosed with a cataract. Hayes, who spent seven years with the Sox, played his final game on Aug. 29, 1940.
ACQUIRING A LAMP
1981: In one of the most underrated deals of his tenure, White Sox general manager Roland Hemond acquired Dennis Lamp from the Cubs for Ken Kravec. Lamp spent three years with the White Sox and was a versatile contributor to three consecutive winning teams. The right-hander logged a 2.41 ERA in 1981, won a career-high 11 games in 1982 and led the A.L. West Division champions with 15 saves in 1983. His best outing came on Aug. 25, 1981 when he no-hit the Brewers at Milwaukee until Robin Yount led off the ninth with a double. Lamp settled for a one-hitter, the second of his career. Even in departure, Lamp was good to the Sox. When he signed as a free agent with Toronto following the 1983 season, the Sox were awarded a selection in the now-defunct compensation pool draft, which was part of the settlement of the 1981 strike. The Sox chose Tom Seaver, whom the Mets had left unprotected figuring that no team would select a high-priced veteran pitcher. Seaver went on to have twof solid seasons with the Sox. The left-handed Kravec, meanwhile, won two games in two seasons for the Cubs.
HUMILIATING THE CUBS
2002: The White Sox blasted the Cubs 22-7 before 9,424 at Tucson Electric Park. The victory halted the Sox four-game losing streak and was the Sox eighth in their last 10 tries in Cactus League play against the Cubs.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
TUCSON, Ariz. -- As he prepared to head to the dugout for the White Sox Cactus League finale Thursday, Chicago pitching coach Don Cooper offered a closing assessment on the state of his pitching staff heading into the season.
Entering Thursday's game, the Sox staff posted a 5.74 spring ERA, and all the starters but Mark Buehrle had ERAs over 4.50 (Buehrle finished at 2.14). But the Cactus League numbers hold little meaning and are secondary at best to the work accomplished in camp.
"If I look at everybody individually, each guy seems to have had one poor start, other than Buehrle," Cooper said. "[John] Danks had one. Gavin [Floyd] had one. Javy [Vazquez] had the first one against Arizona. [Jose] Contreras had one.
"So I'm happy with where the starters are entering the season. They got all the work down here that they needed to get. The innings and the pitches are where they need to be. Now the bell rings and the stuff will count."
The starting staff was not a question mark heading into spring, but the makeup of the bullpen has been, and the final spot remains in contention as Ehren Wassermann and Nick Masset pitched a Minor League and Major League game, respectively, Thursday before waiting for final word on who gets the last job. The decision may come as late as Saturday in Memphis, Tenn.
"As far as the relievers go, I think we got the information that we needed to get on who needs to be pitching where and their roles and what they do," Cooper said. "We got to know the two new guys, [Scott] Linebrink and [Octavio] Dotel, two guys that we hadn't seen before, hadn't met. We got to know those guys and see a little more about them.
"Matt Thornton's throwing the ball pretty well this spring," Cooper continued. "Boone Logan's throwing the ball well. Bobby [Jenks, closer] had probably his best spring as far as results and being out there from the beginning and not being brought into the manager's room to get yelled at three or four times. Mike MacDougal, I remember saying after his first two outings -- and one outing was a simulated game -- that we came up for a plan with him and the plan seems to be working. He hasn't given up a run in six or seven outings."
Cooper's comments were echoed by manager Ozzie Guillen, who felt good about the overall status of the club coming out of a competitive spring camp.
"The win-loss column wasn't what we wanted, but I think we played better this Spring Training as a ballclub," Guillen pointed out. "In general it was everything I was looking for. It was different because there was a lot of fighting for a job. Before, we had the team set. This year, we had a couple good fights for spots, and they did it the right way. I'm happy the way we went. Over the next couple of days we'll get ready for the season, polish it and then go back for the real thing."
The competition for spots was good enough that the final decision is still a day or two away, but Guillen could feel the club coming together as the Sox wrapped up the Arizona portion of their spring.
"We're going to leave here with the team ready to go," Guillen emphasized. "The guys know how they're going to play and when they're going to play, and they'll be prepared."
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The battle for the final roster spot on the White Sox Opening Day roster will wage at least a little longer, with Thursday's final cut postponed until the weekend.
The final question comes down to Ehren Wassermann and Nick Masset for a spot in the Sox bullpen. Wassermann has had a solid spring, throwing 7 1/3 innings in seven outings and posting a 3.68 ERA with six strikeouts against one walk. Wassermann pitched in a Minor League game Thursday morning, so he could get a wisdom tooth pulled in the afternoon before the team heads on to Oklahoma City for an exhibition game with the Rangers on Friday.
"Wassermann looked good again," said pitching coach Don Cooper. "Since we've met Ehren Wassermann, he's done the job. He just had another good outing out there, gave up a single to a left-handed hitter and got three ground balls. If you look at Ehren Wassermann's track record so far, ever since manager Ozzie Guillen brought him into the game, he's got it done. He's an asset and he gets ground balls."
While that may sound like an endorsement from Cooper, the matter is complicated by the fact that Wassermann still has an option left, while Masset does not.
Masset started the game against the D-backs on Thursday, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and four walks. The outing closed a tough Cactus League season for Masset, who tossed 21 2/3 innings in seven games -- five of which were starts -- and posted an ERA of 7.06.
"I wouldn't say that it hurt him, but I was a little disappointed about the outing today," Guillen said. "A good outing would have made it tougher, but we have to wait and see exactly what we need. Every time you have a bad outing late in Spring Training, it can hurt. Every time you have a good outing, it opens people's eyes. We should make that decision in the next couple days."
While Masset and Wassermann remain uncertain of where their tickets will get punched after Saturday's Civil Rights Game against the Mets in Memphis, Tenn., Wassermann was not complaining.
"I hear from my friends and family about every day, 'Where are you going? Where are you going?'" he admitted Thursday. "It's a little tough, but I get to break with the team at least from here, so that's fun."
As if they didn't have enough competition for the spot in the 'pen, Wassermann and Masset upped the ante with medical issues Thursday. Wassermann couldn't confirm the number of wisdom teeth scheduled to be pulled Thursday afternoon, but he put the number "between one and three," with a stated preference to go low.
Masset almost upstaged him when a hard grounder ricocheted off his right hand in the top of the fourth inning. He was able to continue pitching, sandwiching a couple of popups around a walk to get out of the inning.
Although neither pitcher is likely to pitch in the two remaining exhibition games, Wassermann's dental situation could actually play into the decision. Guillen stressed that the club didn't want to rush the decision.
"We have to wait and see which one we can use for Opening Day," Guillen said. "I don't know how Wassermann's going to react from the dental problems, and then we'll make the decision."
I Hope He Breaks His Ankle
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Third baseman Joe Crede left Thursday's Cactus League finale against the D-backs in the fifth inning after fouling a pitch off his left ankle.
After icing the ankle in the clubhouse, the training staff decided to take a precautionary X-ray. The X-ray was still pending after the game, but the training staff didn't anticipate any serious revelations.
"I was really concerned about Joe," manager Ozzie Guillen said after the game. "I don't have the final report yet, but he got hit pretty good. Joe is a tough guy. I wouldn't have finished that at-bat. I would have left right away."
Crede struck out swinging to end the inning.
Crede learned he won the third-base job Tuesday, when Josh Fields was demoted to Triple-A Charlotte after a protracted battle for the roster spot.
Good Article about Cabrera
Buck (short)stops here
Guillen expecting newcomer Cabrera to be leader on field and in clubhouse
TUCSON, Ariz. — There hasn’t been a morning in which White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has rolled out of bed and said, ‘‘I wish I was the general manager.’’
‘‘No, thanks,’’ Guillen said. ‘‘Being a baseball manager is tough enough. Kenny [Williams] can keep it.’’
That doesn’t mean Guillen doesn’t like playing GM every so often.Case in point: He all but pleaded with Williams to do what he could to land shortstop Orlando Cabrera the last few seasons.
Fact is, Guillen knows Cabrera isn’t your typical Gold Glove shortstop. Small in stature at 5-9 and 185 pounds, Cabrera gives the clubhouse a hard-edged intensity not seen since the days when Carl ‘‘Truth-osaurus’’ Everett roamed the South Side.
Sure, adding a grinder such as Nick Swisher was needed. But Swisher also can play comic relief, be it by riding a red scooter through the clubhouse or showing off his unusual ‘‘face art,’’ which changes with each morning shave.
Cabrera is the other type of guy you want in the foxhole. And while the 33-year-old veteran has been fun-loving and relatively quiet during camp, things are about to change once the bell rings March 31 in Cleveland.
‘‘When the season starts, you’re going to see what he is,’’ Guillen said.
Guillen would know. He coached Cabrera during his days with the Montreal Expos and is well aware that Cabrera’s desire to win can rub teammates the wrong way at times. Not a problem, considering Guillen is no stranger to throwing players under the proverbial bus.
‘‘You learn you have to adjust really fast in a new situation like this,’’ Cabrera said. ‘‘You know, I’ve been around this league for a long time, so you get to know these guys. When you get into a new clubhouse, you know everything is going to be OK; you know it will be smooth.
‘‘But the one thing everyone is going to find out about me is what you see now in spring is different than what you will see come the regular season. I’m kidding around and joking around a lot right now with the guys in the clubhouse, but once the season starts, things are a little different. Things have to be done a certain way. People will find that out.’’
Not that teammates haven’t already noted that Cabrera often can be found in Guillen’s office, whether it’s talking baseball or, well, soap operas.
‘‘I like Colombian soap operas,’’ Guillen said when asked about their impromptu discussions. ‘‘Every time we talk about that with the girls out there. We do.
‘‘I ask how he feels. Every time you go from one team to another, you feel a little uncomfortable. He’s fine. He likes the way we’re doing stuff here. He’d better like it; he has no choice. But he’s been great. He gives us what we want to do. I respect veteran players. I don’t have any headache with him. He knows who he is.’’
So does Guillen. That’s why he is keeping a close eye on what happens with Cabrera and his contract this season.
Former starting shortstop Juan Uribe got the job done at times, but he wasn’t Guillen’s kind of shortstop. He had too many lapses of concentration and not enough discipline at the plate.
In acquiring Cabrera from the Los Angeles Angels for pitcher Jon Garland, the Sox did so knowing that he would be in his walk year. Williams said at the start of camp that the goal was to lock up Cabrera with a multiyear deal this spring, but the talks continue.
Cabrera told the Sun-Times last week that he would be willing to keep the discussions open during the regular season, but that’s not a practice the Sox enjoy. So Guillen only can watch and wait.
‘‘‘O’ has been great,’’ Guillen said. ‘‘That’s the reason why we brought this kid in. He knows how to play the game, and I know what I’m going to expect from him. I don’t have any worries about Cabrera because I know what to expect from him and what he brings to the club.
‘‘I don’t know what Kenny has in mind. It’s not my money. We have [Cabrera] for a reason. He’s a good player, and he will dictate to Kenny whether we sign him or not. As soon as he starts playing the way he knows how to play, then he’s going to make it easier for Kenny to make that decision.’’
Recap/Box Score of Game Against D-backs 3/27
D-BACKS 8, WHITE SOX 4
at Tucson, Ariz.
Thursday, March 27
D-backs at the plate: Conor Jackson showed he's ready for the season, going 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs. He hit a run-scoring double to left in a three-run first inning and knocked a two-run homer to left in the fifth inning. Robby Hammock collected three hits, and Augie Ojeda added two of his own.
White Sox at the plate: The White Sox were determined to leave town with a bang, following their four-homer Wednesday with two more long balls in Thursday's Tucson Electric Park finale. Paul Konerko blasted a solo shot halfway up the grass in left-center to lead off the second, and Jermaine Dye launched one to the same spot to lead off the fifth.
D-backs on the mound: Dan Haren came through with a quality start in his last Cactus League appearance. He held the White Sox to two runs on three hits and a walk in seven innings. Both runs came on solo homers, and Haren struck out six in his final start before the season. Brandon Lyon pitched the eighth, giving up two hits and an unearned run while striking out two.
White Sox on the mound: Nick Masset continued his spring struggles, pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and four walks while striking out two. Matt Thornton followed with 1 2/3 innings of two-run ball, and Scott Linebrink pitched a perfect seventh, striking out one.
Cactus League records: Diamondbacks 12-17-1; White Sox 10-18-3.
Up next for the White Sox: The White Sox leave Tucson behind as they finish their exhibition season on the road, taking on the Rangers in Oklahoma City on Friday at 7:05 p.m. CT. Left-hander John Danks will make his final start of the spring, facing off against the Rangers' Luis Mendoza.
Up next for the D-backs: Doug Davis gets a final tuneup Friday as the D-backs break camp and move to Phoenix for a pair of exhibition games at Chase Field. Davis will take on the Rockies' Micah Bowie, a candidate for Colorado's bullpen, at 6:10 p.m. MST.
Chi White Sox AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Swisher, CF 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .246 Anderson, B, CF 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .344 Cabrera, SS 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .203 Thome, DH 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .254 b-Cook, D, PH-DH 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 .333 Konerko, 1B 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .300 Schnurstein, 1B 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .333 Dye, RF 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 .197 Sanchez, RF 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 .333 Pierzynski, C 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .259 a-Phillips, PH-C 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .269 c-Guillen, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 Quentin, LF 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .316 Crede, 3B 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .179 Castillo, J, 3B 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .500 Uribe, 2B 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .373 Mercedes, V, 2B 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 Totals 33 4 8 3 1 8 9
a-Popped out for Pierzynski in the 5th. b-Grounded out for Thome in the 7th. c-Grounded into a double play for Phillips in the 9th.
BATTING
HR: Konerko (2, 2nd inning off Haren, 0 on, 0 out), Dye (4, 5th inning off Haren, 0 on, 0 out).
TB: Cook, D; Konerko 4; Schnurstein; Dye 4; Sanchez; Pierzynski; Quentin; Castillo, J.
RBI: Konerko (10), Dye (8), Sanchez (1).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera 2; Quentin.
GIDP: Cabrera; Quentin; Guillen.
Team LOB: 3.
FIELDING
E: Swisher (1, fielding), Masset (2, fielding), Crede (5, throw).
DP: 3 (Schnurstein-Cabrera-Masset, Cabrera-Uribe-Schnurstein, Cabrera-Uribe-Konerko). Chi White Sox IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Masset (L, 0-2) 4.1 7 6 5 4 2 1 7.06 Thornton 1.2 3 2 2 0 0 0 5.00 Linebrink 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.53 Lujan 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.00
Ground outs-fly outs: Haren 10-5, Lyon 1-0, Slaten 2-1, Masset 7-4, Thornton 5-0, Linebrink 0-2, Lujan 2-2.
Batters faced: Haren 23, Lyon 6, Slaten 5, Masset 24, Thornton 7, Linebrink 3, Lujan 7.
Inherited runners-scored: Thornton 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Chris Guccione. 1B: Angel Campos. 2B: . 3B: Delfin Colon.
Weather: 78 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 6 mph, Out to RF.
T: 2:31.
Att: 7,483.
