Results tagged ‘ Tyler Saladino ’

Sox Host Mariners in First Weekend Series of the Season

Friday, April 5, 2013

Today’s News
 
Tonight’s Game
 
White Sox vs. Mariners at U.S. Cellular Field (7:05 p.m., CT, WCIU). Starters: Jose Quintana for the Sox, Blake Beavan for the Mariners.
Sox Starting Lineup: De Aza, cf; Keppinger, 2b; Rios, rf; Dunn, dh; Konerko, lb; Viciedo, lf; Ramirez, ss; Flowers, c; Beckham, 2b.
 
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Pitchers Take BP
 
Despite very cool, call it cold, temps and a breeze, Sox pitchers took batting practice in advance of the team’s trip to face the Nationals in Washington, D.C. next week. Extra players also took early BP.
They Call it Work Ethic
Paul Konerko–despite needing only one hit to move into sole possession of third place on the franchise’s all-time hit list (he’s now tied with Frank Thomas at 2,156)–was working in the batting cage at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon, well before regular pregame batting practice started.
 
Speaking of PK
Paulie, a huge hockey fan, was in attendance at last night’s Blackhawks-Blues game at the United Center. Here’s Paulie talking baseball and pucks with Blackhawk legends Bobby Hull (left) and Denis Savard.
 (Photo courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks).
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Calling All Foodies
 
For new fan favorite recipes, make sure to check our our Sox Tailgating Secrets every Thursday and Sunday before the game in section 157. And find photos of the food plus recipe cards on our Pinterest board.
Against the Wind
 
Bob Seger fans are likely to spy a few Sox staff and players at the “Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band” concert at the UC tomorrow night. I wonder who will be dancing to “Night Moves.”
 
Quote of the Day
 
Robin on Paulie’s consistency and leadership qualities:
“He’s been a good hitter throughout his career, but to hold it up year after year after year takes a lot of discipline and talent. He’s always in the cage and always thinking about (hitting)…You have a guy like him and people see what he’s doing–and he’s always been that way. He is a leader and he doesn’t have to yell and scream. It’s by example and if he needs to say something he’ll say it.” 
 
Play(s) of the Day
Two of the Sox’s four full season minor-league affiliates opened their seasons last night. Tyler Saladino and Trayce Thompson homered for Class AA Birmingtham in a 5-2 win at Montgomery…Kale Kiser went 4-5 with two doubles and four RBI for Class Kannapolis in a 9-2 victory at Lakewood. Class AAA Charlotte was rained out.
 
Tomorrow’s Schedule
White Sox vs. Mariners at U.S. Cellular Field (12:10 p.m., CT, CSN+). Probable starters are Dylan Axelrod for the Sox, Felix Hernandez for Seattle.
 
Did You Know…
…that the White Sox lead the American League and rank second in the major leagues with a 1.00 ERA (3 ER/27 IP) while the Sox bullpen is tied with the Dodgers for the major league lead with a 0.00 ERA?
 
Photo of the Day

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In his first series as the Sox’s starting catcher, Tyler Flowers batted .571 (4-7) with two homers and posted a .700 on-base percentage against the Royals this week.

No Fooling…Season Starts a Week from Today

Monday, March 25, 2013

Today’s News

Down to the Wire

After leaving Arizona on Wednesday following their final Cactus League game (vs.the Indians at Camelback Ranch), the White Sox have an off day on Thursday and will play Milwaukee in two exhibition games at Miller Park Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The Sox will hold their final preseason workout next Sunday morning at U.S. Cellular Field before opening the regular season a week from today on April 1.

Farm Aid

In addition to major-league players, the following Sox minor leaguers also will make the trip for the games in Milwaukee: INF Drew Garcia, OF Stefan Gartrell, INF Marcus Semien, OF Brandon Short, C Kevan Smith, OF Keenyn Walker and RHP Matt Zaleski.

You Never Know Who Answers the Phones

True story. A White Sox staffer located upstairs in our offices called the downstairs PR office this morning looking for two guest passes.

Only the person sitting at the desk in the PR office wasn’t Bob Beghtol or Ray Garcia. It was designated hitter/first baseman Adam Dunn.

“What do you need?” he answered the phone, semi anonymously. “Sure, no problem.”

So when the Sox staffer brought his two guests downstairs to pick up their day passes, there was Dunn to greet them and hand them their passes.

And in the spot on the pass where a signature was required, it read D-U-N-N-E-R.

Among the Leaders

Entering today’s game vs. the Angels, Paul Konerko was tied for second in the Cactus League in home runs (5), ranks seventh in total bases (37) and eighth in slugging percentage (.712). Chris Sale was tied for the CL lead with three wins, ranks second in ERA (4.19) and was tied for fourth in IP (19.1 IP). Ramon Troncoso was tied for the lead in appearances (11).

Quote of the Day

Jesse Crain, hampered all spring by an adductor strain, on his outing in today’s game: “The most important thing today was feeling good…and I felt fine. My leg felt good, it didn’t bother me one bit.”

Play(s) of the Day

In today’s 11-5 loss to L.A of Anaheim…Dayan Viciedo’s perfect throw to Gordon Beckham at second base in the sixth inning to nab Mike Trout, who tagged up in an attempt to reach second on a fly ball out. It resulted in an inning-ending double play. Also, Tyler Saladino smashed a two-run, ninth inning homer.

Tomorrow’s Schedule

White Sox vs. Rangers at Surprise (4:05 p.m., Chicago time). Chris Sale will start for the Sox vs. Matt Harrison.

Did You Know…

…that longtime major league pitcher Virgil Trucks, who died on Saturday at 95, went 47-26 with a fine 3.14 ERA for the Sox from 1953-55? A bit of trivia: Trucks’ nephew, Butch Trucks, was a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band.

Photo of the Day

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Dunner: Sox slugger–and new PR man.

It’s Official: Chris Sale will be the Opening Day Starter

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Today’s News

Lefties Rule for Sox on Opening Day

After today’s game, Robin Ventura named Chris Sale as the Opening Day starter on April 1 vs. the Royals at the Cell. The decision means lefties will have started each of the past six Opening Days for the Sox (Danks, 2012, Buehrle 2008-11) and 14 of last 15 (the only righty was Jose Contreras in 2007).

“(Sale) will be the Opening Day starter. We feel very confident with him going forward and giving him the ball for the first game,” said Ventura, who then explained why the announcement wasn’t made earlier in the spring. “(We wanted) him to get his work in and get ready to go. (This is now) something for him to get motivated the last two weeks and get out there and go. He’s ready to do that.”

What a Difference Three Years Make

Just for fun, I looked up April 1, 2010 to see what Sale was doing then. Couldn’t tell you.

But on April 2, 2010, just three years ago, he started Game 1 of a doubleheader for Florida Gulf Coast University against Mercer. Sale earned the victory in the 9-1 FGC win, striking out 14 over 8.0 IP, allowing just one unearned run on four hits and one walk. With the win, he improved to 4-0 on the season.

Three years later, he starts Opening Day in a Major League ballpark. Here’s how Sale looked as a Florida Gulf Coast Eagle:

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More Sale and a Sox Victory

Sale got credit for today’s 11-5 win over the A’s at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, working six innings. He got strong offensive support from the likes of Hector Gimenez (2-3, three RBI); Conor Gillaspie (2-3, two RBI); Jordan Danks (2-4, two RBI); Steve Tolleson (Triple, RBI, two runs scored); Jim Gallagher (1-1, RBI); Bryan Anderson (2-2, RBI); and Tyler Saladino 1-1, RBI). The Sox pounded out 17 hits after collecting 15 against the Cubs on Friday and scored 26 runs in the two games.

Quote of the Day

Robin, commenting on Dayan Viciedo’s monster day on Friday, highlighted by a grand slam homer to right-center: “He’s special when he’s hitting the ball (to the opposite field)…he’s strong enough to take it over there and put up some big numbers.”

Play of the Day

Back-to-back triples by Gimenez and Tolleson in the Sox’s four-run third inning.

Tomorrow’s Schedule

St. Patrick’s Day in Surprise: White Sox vs. Royals (3:05 p.m., Chicago time). It’ll be Zach Stewart starting for the Sox vs. the Royals’ Luis Mendoza. Jose Quintana, Hector Santiago and Jesse Crain are scheduled to pitch in a B-game at Camelback Ranch (Noon, Chicago time).

Did You Know…

…that as a result of his outstanding game at the plate today Gimenez has reached base safely in seven of his last nine games, going 11-20 (.550) with six RBI. He’s batting .500 overall this spring.

Photo of the Day

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Red-hot Sox catcher Hector Gimenez.

Close, But…

Thursday, February 28, 2013
 
Today’s News
 
No Victory This Time
 
The White Sox (3-1-2) dropped a close 4-3 decision to the Brewers today at Maryvale, their first loss of the spring. Gordon Beckham and Tyler Saladino each singled in a run, Josh Bell smashed a ninth inning solo homer and Alejandro De Aza collected two singles. Starter Scott Snodgress gave up a pair of runs, including a homer, on a pair of hits in three innings–in an outing that pleased Robin Ventura. Dylan Axelrod gave up a lone hit in two scoreless frames and Zach Stewart and Matt Lindstrom each blanked the Brewers in their one-inning stints.
 
Did My Eyes Deceive Me?
 
No, that was indeed Brent Morel who came in to play shortstop in the fifth inning.
 
“I grew up playing shortstop all my life, high school, college and played about 25 games at Charlotte, it’s fun to be out there again,” Morel said after the game. “My goal is still to play third base everyday, that has to be your mindset, but if they want me to play other positions in order for me to break camp on the 25-man roster, I’ll do anything for that.”
 
Not Bad, Not Bad at All
 
Heading into today’s game with the Brewers, the White Sox led the Cactus League in triples (six) and on-base percentage (.399), were second in average (.317 and slugging percentage (.532), third in runs scored (42) and RBI (40) and fourth in home runs (seven)…Sox pitchers ranked second in the CL opponents average (.238) and fourth in ERA (4.20)…Seth Loman was tied for second in the CL with six RBI, ranked third with a 1.000 slugging percentage and is tied for third with two homers.
 
Everybody Loves Minnie
 
White Sox legend Minnie Minoso was honored today by the Bronzeville Scholastic Institute, receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award. The students honored Minnie’s legacy by preparing an array of presentations exploring the African-American roots in Latino heritage, including the discrimination Afro-Latinos sometimes faced by being Black and speaking Spanish.
 
Quote of the Day
 
New bullpen coach Bobby Thigpen, who once held the single-season major league record for saves (57) as a member of the Sox, on the makeup of the bullpen: “Potentially we could have one of the best in baseball. I really believe that. We’ve got power arms and we’ve got a good mix of veterans and young guys.”
 
Play of the Day
 
Sox rightfielder Keenyn Walker nailed the Brewers’ Jonathan Lucroy at the plate for the third out of the fourth inning after Lucroy attempted to score from second on Caleb Gindl’s single.
 
Tomorrow’s Schedule
 
White Sox vs. Cleveland at Goodyear (2:05 p.m., Chicago time). Chris Sale makes his first spring training start vs. the Indians’ Justin Masterson. 
 
Starting lineup: De Aza, cf; Beckham, 2b; Rios, rf; Dunn, 1b; Viciedo, rf; Gimenez, c; Morel, 3b; Jordan Danks, dh; Marcus Semien, ss.  
 
Did You Know…
 
…that White Sox non-roster invitee Steve Tolleson, an infielder, is the son of former major league infielder Wayne, who played for the Sox (1986) during his10-year major league career.
 
Photo of the Day
 
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Minnie and Principal Leandra Khan of the Bronzeville Scholastic Institute.
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