After general manager Ken Williams told reporters Sunday morning that the White Sox’s performance was “embarrassing” and that he was “irritated” by every facet, the Sox’s underachieving offense scored in double digits for the first time since Sept. 24, 2006.
But after left-hander Andrew Sisco threw two wild pitches and David Aardsma gave up four runs after receiving an eight-run lead, manager Ozzie Guillen hinted changes could be made to a bullpen that has yielded 14 runs in the last three games.
“The bullpen, they better look at themselves in the mirror and be careful, because if they don’t shake it up, I will shake it up,” Guillen said after a 10-6 victory over the Cubs. “We’ve got people down in the minor leagues that are throwing the ball well. … If our bullpen doesn’t work, we’re not going to go anywhere.”
A possible candidate for a promotion is Chicago Heights native Bret Prinz, who has an 0.79 ERA in 10 games for Triple-A Charlotte. Prinz, 29, has a 4.77 ERA over parts of five major-league seasons, but he was nagged last season by shoulder problems at Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Prinz’s best season came in his rookie season with Arizona in 2001 when he had a 2.63 ERA in 60 games. His three-quarter delivery makes him especially tough on right-handed batters.
Charlotte left-hander Carlos Vasquez, acquired with Aardsma from the Cubs for Neal Cotts, hasn’t given up a run in seven games.
The offense raised its batting average by three points but still ranks last in the majors at .226.
Williams fingered the veterans — most of them hitters — for the malaise and suggested changes would be made if a turnaround wasn’t imminent.
“Well, I can’t give you a date,” Williams said. “I’m not afraid to shuffle the deck if something isn’t working. And the veteran guys, the older guys know that. But the new guys, I think, somebody needs to put a little something in their ear. We’re here for one purpose and one purpose only. The competing stuff isn’t enough.
“We’ve played well below our capabilities and we’re still in it. As soon as we start playing to our capabilities, we’ll be on top.
“I’ve grown accustomed to being in first place an awful lot, and that’s where I expect this club to be.”
Jermaine Dye, who hit his third homer in four games and has an eight-game hitting streak, seemed amused after the game by Williams’ pregame comments.
“There’s no doubt with the staff and players we have, we should be doing a lot better,” Dye said. “But there’s no rhyme or reason to it. We just happen to struggle at the beginning. If it was in the middle or the end, it would probably be overlooked.
“If he feels like he needs to make changes, he will.”
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mgonzales@tribune.com
