White Sox’ Abreu Runs Afoul by Not Running

June 18, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Midweek musings: For those looking for a weakness in Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu’s game, the rookie may have shown one in Tuesday’s 8-2 victory against the visiting San Francisco Giants: failure to run to first base after striking out on a pitch that ended up at the backstop.

Video below of Jessi Marie (in case you’re interested — and even if you’re not).

* Speaking of Sox weaknesses, catcher Tyler Flowers had a bases-loaded walk. Whoopee! In his last 111 at-bats, he has 18 hits and 50 strikeouts.

* Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings but received a no-decision in a 6-5 loss to the Marlins in Miami. He committed his third error of the season. And, yes, it is rare at this point in the season for a starting pitcher to have more errors than he does victories.

* Speaking of errors, Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro committed his 11th of the season. Meaning he has one more miscue than he does home runs.

* Cubs first-round pick Kyle Schwarber went 3-for-4 with a double and two home runs to lift his batting average to .600 at short-season Boise to earn a promotion to Class A Kane County. He also was caught stealing in a 12-3 victory vs. Tri-City. So now the Cubs have to figure out how to schedule some of Kane County’s games at Wrigley Field. Because clearly it doesn’t seem to matter to Cubs fans who the organization puts on the field and the organization clearly wants fans to focus on the future.

* Speaking of Tri-City, in this more embracing era we live in (OK, theoretically), have you ever wondered why you haven’t seen a Bi-City? We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

* Speaking again of Schwarber, in five games at Boise he went 12-for-20 with four homers and 10 runs batted in. Small sample size? Not at all. Future Hall of Famer.

* Speaking of Cubs prospects. Third baseman Kris Bryant (who just might have his own statue outside Wrigley Field — even before he makes it to the major leagues) went 1-for-5 with a strikeout in the Class AA all-star game. Small sample size? Definitely. Future Hall of Famer.

* If it’s Wednesday (which seems likely because yesterday was Tuesday), then we are a day aware from the next edition of “Sports & Torts” with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Central time on Talkzone.com. The guests on the June 19, 2014 show are two former Cubs: Lennie Merullo, the last living member of the 1945 Cubs (the last Cubs team to play in a World Series); and Ernie Broglio, part of the 1964 trade that sent Lou Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals. The show will be available later Thursday on podcast at Talkzone.com.

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Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com and their delightful definition of “gratuitous”):