White Sox usually make quick work of games
It’s usually safe to make plans three hours after the start of a White Sox game, especially if it’s Mark Buehrle on the mound or the start of the game isn’t delayed by inclement weather. Through Monday, 21 of the Sox’s 64 games this season had been completed in two hours 30 minutes or quicker. That’s the most in the major leagues. Only 10 of the Sox’s games have lasted more than three hours, trailing only Oakland and Seattle (with eight apiece). The Sox have played two games that were completed in less than two hours — a victory over Pittsburgh on May 22 that was completed in one hour, 51 minutes and a win over Seattle in the first game of an April 28 doubleheader that was only one minute longer than the May 22 game.
Feeling the draft at College World Series
The Sox are keeping a close watch on the College World Series in Omaha, where three of their selections in last week’s draft are participating. No. 1 pick Jared Mitchell is 3-for-8 in two victories for LSU. Mitchell hit a double off the center-field wall in the Tigers’ win Monday over Arkansas. Pitcher Jimmy Ballinger, an 11th-round selection, however, was roughed up Tuesday for six runs on nine hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings of a loss to North Carolina that eliminated Ballinger’s Southern Mississippi team. Ballinger finished the season 6-4 and allowed only three home runs in 86 innings. Infielder Jared McDonald of Arizona State hit a double in the Sun Devils’ win Sunday over North Carolina and was starting at first base Tuesday night and hit an RBI single in the second inning against Texas.
Ramirez makes a stylish clubhouse entrance
Shortstop Alexei Ramirez, one of the most stylish dressers among the Sox’s players, opened some eyes among his teammates when he walked into the visitor’s dinky clubhouse at Wrigley.
Ramirez, who left Cuba in the fall of 2007, sported a white Cuba jersey with his name and number on the back. Ramirez’s number on the jersey was 10, although he wore 21 when playing for the Cuban national team.
Reliever Octavio Dotel, a native of the Dominican Republic, liked the jersey so much he wore it for a few minutes. Unfortunately for Ramirez, Dotel said he might be subjected to a fine for not adhering to dress code rules on the road — yes, even at Wrigley Field. “The jersey smells good,” Dotel said. “He’s still learning and a young guy from Cuba but doesn’t know a lot of things about the States.”
