advertisement

Sox relying too much on home runs

In the third inning Wednesday night, Gordon Beckham led off with a double and moved up to third base on Dewayne Wise's bunt single.

Kevin Youkilis followed with a sacrifice fly to score Beckham.

That's what you call manufacturing a run.

The White Sox are capable of playing small ball, but they have been relying on home runs for much of the season, especially a recent stretch where they've gone deep 54 times in the last 29 games.

For the season, the Sox are scoring 45 percent of their runs on homers, according to STATS LLC.

In major-league baseball, only the Yankees (50 percent) and Orioles (47) have relied more on home runs to score.

“It's the quickest way to score,” manager Robin Ventura said when asked about the Sox' barrage of home runs. “But when you look at nine innings, you have a better chance of getting runs by getting good at-bats and moving guys around the bases instead of waiting for a home run.”

The White Sox are on pace to hit 216 home runs, the same total they posted in 2000.

That season, the Sox won the American League Central but lost three straight to Seattle in the ALDS and went home.

The White Sox hit just 1 homer and scored 7 total runs against the Mariners.

Hitting home runs is fine, especially in a ballpark like U.S. Cellular Field that rewards power.

But if the Sox want to get into the postseason and advance as far as possible, they know the offense has to be more balanced.

“There's some power on this team and guys can go deep,” third baseman Kevin Youkilis said. “We've been very fortunate, it's helped us out the past couple of days. But we also have to do little things, get those basehits, more than just relying on home runs.”

Colon reaction:There was very little sympathy from the White Sox for Oakland A's starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, who was suspended 50 games Wednesday after testing positive for testosterone.#8220;It's kind of, how dumb do you have to be?#8221; Adam Dunn said. #8220;You guys see how many times the drug test guys are here. I feel like they're here at least once a homestand. I don't want to call you stupid, but you kind of look yourself in the mirror and it's pretty dumb.#8221;Colon pitched for the White Sox in 2003 and again in '09.#8220;Everyone knows the rules,#8221; Sox manager Robin Ventura said. #8220;It is surprising.#8221;Praise for Jeter:Derek Jeter is having a tremendous season, and the Yankees shortstop is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 38.Jeter homered in all three games against the White Sox and has 3,257 career hits.#8220;He's great,#8221; said Robin Ventura, Jeter's teammate in 2002-03. #8220;Even playing with him I said it, when we were in New York, he's the greatest Yankee in my opinion. Just when he played, the position that he plays, the time that he played. Even the stuff he's doing now.#8220;The numbers he puts up, I think every hit is a milestone pretty much now.#8221;

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.