MINNEAPOLIS — A business trip to Phoenix has taken on greater importance for the White Sox after their latest debacle Thursday in Minnesota.
A 1-0 loss to the Twins was reminiscent of their earlier struggles, as the offense was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and wasted Mark Buehrle’s seven innings of three-hit ball against a depth-challenged team.
But the Twins, as they’ve done for the last two-plus seasons, found a way to beat the Sox. This time it was Michael Cuddyer’s solo home run in the second, coupled with the Sox’s inability to capitalize against starter Nick Blackburn.
As a result, the Sox (33-37) fell to 51/2 games back in the American League Central as they open a three-game series in Arizona without use of the designated hitter.
In four games against the Twins this season, the Sox have scored three runs. They’ve lost the last seven meetings.
The Sox have suddenly lost the art of collecting the clutch hit, as they grounded into six double plays in two games and failed to score Thursday despite putting the leadoff runner on four times.
“It seems like something isn’t always there,” Buehrle said. “So inconsistency is all I can think of. But it seems like we play well for a week and looks like we’re getting things turned around, and all of a sudden we don’t play as well. But you run into good pitching and a good team like this. You’ve got to tip your hat.”
Manager Ozzie Guillen said he would contemplate lineup changes on the flight to Phoenix.
“(However), if you start changing the lineups, people think you’re panicking or the players won’t have confidence in you,” Guillen said. “In the meanwhile I try to put the best lineup out there every day, and hopefully we will score some runs.”
Alex Rios flied to center with runners at first and third to end the sixth and is 2-for-23 (.087) with runners in scoring position and two outs.
A.J. Pierzynski collected two of the Sox’s eight hits but went hitless in his final two at-bats, with runners on base. He is 5-for-33 (.152) with runners in scoring position and two outs.
The trip to Arizona will at least allow the likes of Paul Konerko, Mark Teahen, Matt Thornton and Will Ohman to relax at their off-season homes.
“That will help you mentally to be ready for the game,” Guillen said. “But we’re not going there for vacation and visiting family. We’re going for business, tough business — the Diamondbacks are playing very well. They have a good ballclub, and we have to be aware of that.
“It’s always nice to see family and hang around the house. But I don’t want them to be in the swimming pool and have fun with kids when they have a job to do later. But it’s always nice to be home.”
Twitter @MDGonzales
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