After a disappointing series versus the Twins the Sox continued their 10-day road trip with a 3 game series against Kansas City, where the Royals took two games including a 14-3 win on Sunday. The series opener on Friday was not only a win but it was the first time Ken Griffey Jr. wore a Sox jersey and I have to admit it was fitting.

Griffey had two hits, two RBI’s and a run to help the Sox to a 4-2 win over Kansas City. He seemed comfortable and content to be on his new team even though reports state he was nervous to the point of not being able to eat that day. Javier Vazquez pitched 6 innings with Octavio Dotel and Bobby Jenks finishing up the game.

Saturday proved to be a test for all with the heat index reaching 111 degrees. Many players had to exit the game, including Griffey, do in part to heat causing injuries and illnesses. Mark Buerhrle surrendered 14 hits in just over 4 innings. The second inning was highlighted by the hitting performance of back to back homers by Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye but it was not enough to lift the Sox to victory with the Royals winning 9-7.

In order for the Sox to have kept their first place position in the AL Central they needed a win on Sunday and instead got a loss with a rumble leading to ejections for both teams. This game looked more like a dodge ball game then a baseball game. In the 5th inning with a 6-0 lead the Royals Miguel Olivio was hit by a pitch from reliever D.J. Carrasco causing Olivio to charge the mound. Soon after a bench clearing fiasco began. Once the dirt settled Olivio, Carrasco and the skipper, Ozzie Guillen, had all been ejected. Later in the game, Royals pitcher Zack Greinke nailed Nick Swisher with a ball leading to Greinke and manager Trey Hillman being thrown out. The Royals capitalized on the poor performance of pitcher Clayton Richards who surrendered 9 runs in 4 innings to lead the Royals to a 14-3 win. With the Twins win over Cleveland on Sunday the Sox are now in second place within the AL Central.

With my article I have decided to do something new. I will now be posting a series MVP- Most Valuable Player and a LVP – Least Valuable Player from the Sox squad.

MVP - Ozzie Guillen, for his performance on Sunday. I have watched many games in my lifetime and the fact the Sox have a coach like this makes the game even better. Sure Guillen is sometimes the cause of many fights, or just happens to begin the fight, but he is also the one coach that has his players backs no matter what. Since the Sunday game Ozzie has been quite outspoken about the charging of the mound incident and also Swisher’s being beaned. The man is not one to let something go and having him in our corner makes it even better – anyone remember the Magglio Ordonez incident. Thought so.

LVP – The curse at first – Konerko & Swisher. What is the deal with the White Sox first base players and their batting averages? Let’s look at the numbers from the past two series; four against Minnesota and three versus Kansas City. First up Paulie Konerko, who played first for five of those games. Out of 19 attempts up to bat he hit a mere 3 balls with 1 luckily being a HR. His current batting average is .212, the only teammates he is beating in that department are the pitchers. Secondly, Nick Swisher, who since the addition of Griffey has been covering first/CF/RF. Swisher played first for two of those games and hit 1 for 7. His batting average to date is .230. I’m not sure what is going on but either Ozzie needs to have a chat with the hitting coach again or maybe we should bring back the inflatable dolls for the locker room. Worked last time. I do know I would keep Dye, Wise and Ramirez away from first because they are the White Sox’s only players batting over .300.

 

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