The White Sox’s scoreless drought ended after 11 innings. But their winless drought is still alive.
OK, it’s only two games. But they were games co-aces Mark Buehrle and Bartolo Colon started against the unheralded–and that’s putting it nicely–combo of Runelvys Hernandez and left-hander Jeremy Affeldt.
“What I expect is for them to give us a shot. We’ll get those two out of the way now and let them win 19 straight,” Manuel said after the Sox’s 5-4 loss Wednesday to the Royals.
The Sox’s confidence clearly remained unshaken.
“Two games don’t mean anything,” Colon said through translator/first-base coach Rafael Santana.
Shortstop Tony Graffanino started in place of Jose Valentin, a switch-hitter who batted just .152 against lefties last year. Graffanino went 3-for-5 with a double but couldn’t come through in the ninth with none out and the tying runner at first.
Manuel could alter his lineup Thursday against right-hander Miguel Asencio by using Armando Rios instead Aaron Rowand or Carlos Lee. Rios singled in a run Wednesday as a pinch-hitter.
“We have to get it going,” Frank Thomas said after the game. “Not the next day. Tomorrow.”
