BY DAVE VAN DYCK
With Corky Miller showing he is a legitimate backup catcher, the White Sox's plan is to give A.J. Pierzynski more games off. Pierzynski, 32, has played 150 games two of the last three seasons.
"Hopefully we've got a little cushion [in the division] to give A.J. more rest," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I know A.J. loves to be on the field. It's a big year for him because he's a free agent. But the fresher we keep him, the more we get out of him."
More rest for Pierzynski?
"[Guillen] hasn't told that to me," he said. "I'm going to try to get out there as much as I can. I feel like I'm in the best shape I've been in a long time, and I've got nothing physically wrong with me.
"We're fortunate we have Corky and he can be productive, as he showed [Saturday with two hits]. If we're in the pennant race, I'll be out there every day."
Going home: The three-game series that starts Monday at Comerica Park will be special for second baseman Chris Getz, who grew up in suburban Detroit. He idolized Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker and played at Comerica as a high schooler.
"You dream about something like that," Getz said.
Getz is questionable Monday because he was hit by a pitch in the right elbow in the seventh inning Sunday and removed.
Finding a home: Despite the pressure of replacing Joe Crede, third baseman Josh Fields has reached base safely in every game and is hitting .353. "He's got good enough speed that he can bunt and is patient at the plate," Guillen said.
King K: Nine of the 10 outs recorded this season by reliever Octavio Dotel have been on strikeouts.
"Dotel's the type of guy, you love him or he can break your heart," Guillen said. "This guy is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game."
Extra innings: Starter Jeff Marquez was shelled in his first start at Triple-A Charlotte, giving up six runs in less than two innings. ... Catcher Tyler Flowers had three hits, including a homer, for Double-A Birmingham.
"Hopefully we've got a little cushion [in the division] to give A.J. more rest," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I know A.J. loves to be on the field. It's a big year for him because he's a free agent. But the fresher we keep him, the more we get out of him."
More rest for Pierzynski?
"[Guillen] hasn't told that to me," he said. "I'm going to try to get out there as much as I can. I feel like I'm in the best shape I've been in a long time, and I've got nothing physically wrong with me.
"We're fortunate we have Corky and he can be productive, as he showed [Saturday with two hits]. If we're in the pennant race, I'll be out there every day."
Going home: The three-game series that starts Monday at Comerica Park will be special for second baseman Chris Getz, who grew up in suburban Detroit. He idolized Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker and played at Comerica as a high schooler.
"You dream about something like that," Getz said.
Getz is questionable Monday because he was hit by a pitch in the right elbow in the seventh inning Sunday and removed.
Finding a home: Despite the pressure of replacing Joe Crede, third baseman Josh Fields has reached base safely in every game and is hitting .353. "He's got good enough speed that he can bunt and is patient at the plate," Guillen said.
King K: Nine of the 10 outs recorded this season by reliever Octavio Dotel have been on strikeouts.
"Dotel's the type of guy, you love him or he can break your heart," Guillen said. "This guy is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game."
Extra innings: Starter Jeff Marquez was shelled in his first start at Triple-A Charlotte, giving up six runs in less than two innings. ... Catcher Tyler Flowers had three hits, including a homer, for Double-A Birmingham.
0 comments:
Post a Comment