Losing four consecutive games and allowing 53 runs in five games is too much for White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen–even in the exhibition season.
“I don’t care if it’s Spring Training or midseason,” Guillen said Sunday after a 15-9 loss to Seattle at the Peoria Sports Complex. “We have work to do, and we have to prepare. We’re playing lousy baseball right now, and I expect my players Monday to turn around and start playing the game. It’s a long Spring Training, but I get sick and tired of not playing the game right.”
Poor pitching has bothered Guillen, and he and pitching coach Don Cooper were particularly annoyed at how the Sox blew a 6-1 lead after 21 1/42 innings.
“The pitchers dictate how the game is going to be, and I think we’re not doing a good job the past five days doing what we’re supposed to do,” Guillen said in a blunt but controlled tone.
The Sox, who open the season April 4 against Cleveland at U.S. Cellular Field, have lost seven of their last eight spring games.
They play 16 of their first 19 regular-season games against American League Central opponents.
Mariners 15, White Sox 9
Spring record: 11-15.
At the plate: First baseman Paul Konerko hit a home run, and Pablo Ozuna had two hits to increase his spring batting average to .510 (24-for-47).
On the mound: Jose Contreras blew a 6-1 lead and got tagged for nine runs in 41 1/43 innings.
In the field: Second baseman Tadahito Iguchi was charged with his third error of the spring.
Next up: Vs. Athletics, 2:05 p.m. Monday in Tucson.
