Headlines of July - PDF document

Headlines of July 9 , 2015 “ Offensive outburst culminates with walk - off ” … Scott Merkin , MLB.com “ Could Johnson retake second - base job? ” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “ White Sox GM Hahn talks Trade Deadline ” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “ Samardzija to battle Dickey, Toronto in finale ” … Gregor Chisholm, MLB.com “ Adam Eaton jokes he 'blacked out' on walk - off homer for White Sox ” … Colleen Kane , Chicago Tribune “ GM Rick Hahn surprised by White Sox's first - half struggles ” … Colleen Kane, Chica go Tribune “ Ozzie Guillen: 'I miss baseball' ” … Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune “ Wednesday's recap: White Sox 7, Blue Jays 6 (11 innings) ” … Colleen Kane , Chicago Tribune “ Carlos Sanchez or Micah Johnson? 2B dilemma for White Sox ” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “ White Sox minor - league pitcher Javy Guerra suspended for second positive drug test ” … Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune “ White Sox defeat Jays on Eaton's walk - off homer ” … Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Tribune “ White Sox AAA pitcher Javy Guerra suspended 50 games ” … D aryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Tribune “ Wednesday's Top 5: Jacob deGrom bids for All - Star start ” … David Schoenfield, ESPN.com “ Eaton's walkoff home run lifts White Sox over Blue Jay s 7 - 6 ” … The Associated Press , ESPN.com “ Javy Guerra, Sox minor leaguer, suspended 50 games ” … The Associated Press, ESPN.com “ Erik Johnson nab s another honor at Charlotte ” … Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago “ Today on CSN: White Sox send Shark to close out series ” … CSN Chicago “ Adam Eaton's walkoff homer lifts White Sox to win over Blue Jays ” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “ White Sox bullpen plays key role in win over B lue Jays ” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “ White Sox in wait - and - see mode as trade deadline looms ” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “ White Sox: Erik Johnson earns Triple - A All - Star Game start ” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago Offensive outburst culminates with walk - off Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 8 th, 2015 The original inclination for Adam Eaton as the first hitter in the 11th inning Wednesday night against the Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field was to lay down a bunt. Eaton even tried to bunt on the opening offering from Toronto closer Roberto Osuna. That plan changed for Eaton on the second pitch, which he hit out for a walk - off blast to right field that gave the White Sox a 7 - 6 victory and their sixth win in eight games. "I have to admit that was the first time I tried to hit a homer," said a smiling Eaton. "For some reason, I don't know, I blacked out. But it happened to work out well. I'm very fortunate it went out." Eaton quipped that part of the raucous celebration at home plate stemmed from his second career walk - off homer coming at 11 p.m. CT an d giving the players a chance to get a little rest before Thursday's series finale day game. The joy comes from the White Sox improving to 8 - 2 in extra innings and 18 - 15 in one - run games, which are not exactly ledgers associated with a team sitting at 38 - 4 4 overall. On a night when the seemingly dormant White Sox offense broke loose a gainst Drew Hutchison and six Toronto relievers, Eaton's game - winning delivery seemed like a fitting ending. The White Sox finished with 16 hits and for the first time in 25 home games, they scored more than four runs. "Our offense picked us up. Picked me up," said White Sox starter John Danks, who had a no - decision despite allowing six runs over 4 1/3 innings. "We showed up to the ballpark trying to win a ballgame and we did that. It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win and we'll take that. We need all the wi ns we can get." "We need to pick it up, and we have," Eaton said. "We've been battling and scoring some more runs here lately, but our pitching has been there. Bullpen's been great. Starting pitching's been great. We picked up [Chris Sale] the other night hitting, so when those guys do their job, we want to do ours. And that makes a good team great." Avisail Garcia matched a career high with four hits. Eaton, Jose Abreu, Adam LaRoche, Tyler Flowers and Carlos Sanchez also had multi - hit efforts. But it was E aton's sixth home run that produced the White Sox seventh walk - off hit and their second walk - off home run this season. It was a moment that doesn't come around too often for Eaton, who had the predictable euphoric reaction as he was rounding the bases. "Holy you - know - what. Very exciting," Eaton said of his reaction. "They're very spec ial. You don't get the opportunity to hit one in the big leagues. Everyone was excited we could get the win and get out of here. Both are good." Could Johnson retake second - base job? Scott Merkin, MLB .com | July 8, 2015 Micah Johnson is hitting at Triple - A Charlotte, with seven hits in his last three games. Carlos Sanchez is not hitting with the White Sox, with a .173 batting average after a two - hit night in Wednesday night's 7 - 6 walk - off win over the Blue Jays. S o could a change at second base happen yet again for the White Sox after the All - Star break? All options are being discussed. "We had almost a mini organizational meeting with [White Sox assistant general manager] Buddy [Bell] and Cappy [director of player development Nick Capra] and our roving instructors last week," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "We went through each of our guys, where they're at in the season and what's the plan for development, both at the upper levels and throughout the sys tem for every guy. Obviously the players in Triple - A, who conceivably could help us in Chicago, were a big part of those conversations. "Micah's swinging the bat real well, playing solid defense there and certainly is a viable option to help us here, as we said at the time when we sent him out. We fully expected at some point Micah to return. We've got a pretty good idea of what he would add to the roster if and when he does return." Johnson and Sanchez broke camp with the team, but it was Johnson won the starting job at second and hit .270 with three stolen bases. The change was made to Sanchez on May 15 to help stabilize the infield defense, which he has more than capably done. Sanchez's poor statistics are exacerbated by the team's offensive struggles as a whole. "To get out of that, sometimes you've got to get out of your own way," White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson said. "It's not physical, most of the time. It's a matter of putting yourself in the right mental state to say, 'Hey, I can come out here and do just as good as I was doing wherever I was in Triple - A, Double - A, where ver I might've been, and I haven't lost my skills.'" "It's not like putting blame on anybody or anything like that. He's done what he's supposed to do," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Sanchez. "Would he want to hit better? Absolutely. Do we want h im to do that? Absolutely. I think he will do that. But moving forward, you're looking at what kind of pieces you can move around to kind of shake things up." • The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Wednesday White Sox right - handed reliever Javy Guerra has received a 50 - game suspension without pay after a second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. This suspension of Guerra is effective immediately. Guerra, 29, broke camp wi th the White Sox but was placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 13 with right shoulder inflammation. He was activated and designated for assignment on May 6, and currently resides on Charlotte's roster. "We are always very disappointed when one o f our players tests positive," Bell said. "But we know the testing program works, and all of our players also know that everyone in the White Sox organization and all of our resources are available to help at all times." White Sox GM Hahn talks Trade Deadli ne Scott Merkin, MLB.com | July 8, 2015 The White Sox fully understand that time is winding down in terms of making something significant out of this 2015 season that began with such lofty expectations. If that tur naround doesn't happen in the next couple of weeks, then changes could be coming to this current roster. But according to White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, his players remain more concerned about winning the game at hand than any far - ranging trade rami fications. "I heard from one guy specifically, who really seemed to express the sentiment is that, they want to put us in a position where it's obvious that we're not sellers over the next few weeks," Hahn said prior to Wednesday's game. "They expect to go on a run and make it clear that we're fulfilling the expectation we all had and there's not going to be a need or a desire to start focusing on the future. That's more the vibe I'm getting from this clubhouse." White Sox strengths and shortcomings have be en discussed at length since the middle of April. The pitching is there, but the offense is absent. The defense has improved from a fairly poor level, but the team has put itself in quite a hole to climb out from in regard to the thought of playoff content ion. Those who expect a wholesale rebuild, though, might be surprised. Since this reshaping plan began in 2013, Hahn has talked about building a core to win multiple championships and not just going all - in for one season. So the White Sox could subtract an d add in the present through the same deal. "When we sort of started initially down this path midway through '13, it was with the idea that we were going to try to add on an annual basis and expand the core on an annual basis," Hahn said. "Obviously we fel t heading into this season that we put ourselves in a position to contend but it was still, as I said at the time repeatedly over the offseason, part of a process. "We weren't done, and in our minds, [weren't] going to stop looking to try to add to our cor e group. We have a fair amount of controllable talent entering or in their primes for the next several years and that's an enviable position to be in . From our standpoint, if we do start focusing on the future, it's to figure out how many of this group are going to be part of that core and the best way to add to it." With such great parity found to date, especially in the American League, the overall trade market has been slow to develop. "We've got a lot of clubs, especially in this league, that are still arguably in contention, a good week away from being right in the thick of things," Hahn said. "It's been a somewhat slower evolving market in talking to GMs, even some who are in the so - called declared sellers camp, who are saying it's moving fairly slowly in terms of getting specific offers. "Obviously there haven't been any deals announced yet. That's all going to change. We've got 22 days until the deadline and things can happen fairly quickly once teams get committed to making a decision." Samardzija to battle Dickey, Toronto in finale Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com | July 8th, 2015 The Blue Jays will get a first - hand look at one of the pitchers they've been linked to over the past several weeks when White Sox starter Jeff Samardzija takes the mound in Thursday afternoon's series finale. Toronto's interest in Samardzija dates back well over a year when he was still a member of the Cubs, but the rumors resurfaced in recent weeks following a series of reports from USA Today and ESPN. Neither team has spoken publicly about the speculation, but if the White Sox eventually decide to part with some assets prior to the July 31 non - wai ver Trade Deadline, then Samardzija would be a logical candidate to move because he's a free agent at the end of the year. Samardzija has gone through an up - and - down season but has been much better of late, allowing three runs or fewer in four of his last five outings while going at least seven innings in all of those games. Three things to know about this game • Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey had been turning his season around before struggling in his last outing against the Tigers. He tied a career h igh with 11 hits allowed in that game while surrendering five runs. Prior to that he had allowed three earned runs or fewer in six straight starts. • Samardzija has faced Toronto twice in his career and owns a sparkling 0.64 ERA over those 14 innings. He's allowed 12 hits with two walks while striking out 10. • Toronto will return to its regular lineup vs. a right - hander after facing lefties for three consecutive games. That likely means Justin Smoak will get the start at first base and Russell Martin will be back behind the plate after getting the day off on Wednesday. Adam Eaton jokes he 'blacked out' on walk - off homer for White Sox Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 am Eaton ended his We dnesday night in a shower of Gatorade and a mob of teammates near home plate, celebrating a feat he has only accomplished one other time in his major - league career. Eaton’s walk - off homer on Roberto Osuna’s second pitch of the 11th inning pushed the White Sox to a 7 - 6 victory over the Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field. The solo shot into the right - field bleachers on a 94 - mph fastball wa s Eaton’s second career walk - off homer and first with the Sox. “I have to admit that was the first time I tried to hit a homer,” said Eat on, who was expecting a fastball. “For some reason, I don’t know how – I blacked out – it happened to work out well. I’m very fortunate it went out.” The homer capped a sudden offensive outburst from a Sox team that hadn’t scored more than four runs at ho me in 24 straight games. The Sox knocked out 16 hits, including Eaton’s tying RBI single in the sixth inning. “He’s got some pop,” Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Eaton. “It’s just being a leadoff guy he doesn’t do it a lot. When he gets a hold of it, it can go.” The production helped erase a tough outing from left - hander John Danks, who gave up six earned runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. But the Sox bullpen held the Blue Jays scoreless the rest of the way, including right - hander Scott Carroll, who filled in for 2 2/3 innings. The Sox -- rather remarkably given their overall 38 - 44 record – improved to 8 - 2 in extra - inning games, a credit to a bullpen that also got nice outings from Zach Duke, David Robertson and Zach Putnam (3 - 3) on Wednesday. Adam LaRoche helped the Sox to a 3 - 0, first - inning lead with a two - run double. Melky Cabrera, Avisail Garcia and Carlos Sanchez also drove in runs before Eaton’s big hits. Eaton’s homer, which came after he tried to bunt on a ball on the first pitch, gi ves the Sox a shot at a series victory over the B lue Jays on Thursday afternoon. “They’re very special,” Eaton said of his two walk - off homers. “You don’t get the opportunity to hit one in the big leagues (often). I was very thrilled. It helps that it wa s 11 o’clock. I don’t know if everyone was excited for me, but they were excited we can get the win and get out of here.” GM Rick Hahn surprised by White Sox's first - half struggles Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 Rick Hahn had compiled a book in the offseason with potential paths for his reconstructed White Sox roster, being on par with the 2014 club midway through the season would have fallen into the highly unlikely chapter . Yet after a 7 - 6 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field — courtesy of Adam Eaton's walk - off home run in the 11th — the Sox organization that poured millions of dollars and bushels of hype into the 2015 club sports the same 38 - 44 record as last year's team at this point. "I've heard people say they've never seen anything like this before in terms of this many arguably high - caliber offensive talents with significant track records all falling off the table at the same time," Hahn said. "Certainly when we laid th is thing out, we didn't think it was one of the more likely outcomes." Hahn painted a picture Wednesday of an organization at a crossroads. He said the front office can believe the underperforming players will suddenly make a turnaround and get on the major hot streak needed to burst back into relevance. The more likely path — though still unspoken — is stamping the team inoperable and beginning the quest for new parts. There were some positives Wednesda y as the Sox scored more than four runs in a home game for the first time in nearly two months. They charged back for the victory after left - hander John Danks gave up eight hits and six runs over 4 1/3 innings. Eaton had the tying single in the sixth alon g with his homer to right field off Roberto Osuna's second pitch in the 11th. The players know what's around the corner if they produce man y more clunkers, but Hahn said he doesn't sense they're worried about the July 31 trade deadline. "I heard from one guy specifically who really seemed to express the sentiment that they want to put us in a position where it's obvious that we're not seller s over the next few weeks," Hahn said. "They expect to go on a run and make it clear … there's not going to be a need to start focusing on the future." Hahn has been around enough players at trade deadlines to know each handles "the 3,000 - pound gorilla i n the room" differently. He spoke of Mark Buehrle asking frequently in 2007 if he was going to be traded. "He said to me at one point, 'I hear you could have gotten (Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz) for me,' " Hahn said. "I said, 'Mark, if that was true , I would have driven your ass to the airport.' So certain players are fine with it." Hahn said the trade market seems to be evolving slowly because so many teams believe they have a shot to work their way into contention. If the Sox officially become sel lers, they might not feel the need to head into another complete rebuild, especially with players such as Chris Sale and Jose Abreu in the fold for several more seasons. "We have a fair amount of controllable talent entering or in their primes for the nex t several years, and that's an enviable position to be in," Hahn said. "If we do start focusing on the future, it's to figure out how many of this group are going to be part of that core and the best way to add to it." Ozzie Guillen: 'I miss baseball' Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 Re laxation poured from Ozzie Guillen's pores Wednesday afternoon as he sat on a couch in the l iving room of his Bucktown home, reliving some memories from the 2005 World Series championship season. The only tense in the former White Sox manager/shortstop's peripheral is the present and the future. But he hears his past knocking. "I miss baseball," he said. Nearly 10 years removed from the miracle on 35th Street season, and three from a dugout, Guillen has occupied his time working as a baseball analyst for ESPN, playing golf and watching his youngest child, Ozney, a 22nd - round pick of the White Sox in 2010, play ball for th e Normal (Ill.) CornBelters of the Frontier League. But he perked up when the subject of managing again was broached. "Do I want to get back on the field? Of course I do," he said. "When my turn comes. I don't want anybody's job. I was there before. I'm not better than the game. I'm not better than the manager anybody has right now." The 1985 American League Rookie of the Year managed the White Sox for six seasons after the World Series title, and eight in all before going to the Marlins. The Marlins fired him after one season in 2012 and are still paying him the remainder of a four - year, $10 million contract. Guillen said his wife, Ibis, was against him going to Miami and that he regrets it a bit. White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams, for one, would like to see Guillen managing again. "I feel like baseball is missing something," Williams said in April. "I think it misses personality and characters. A guy who has had as much success as he has and has much baseball knowledge as he has and has a desire to be in uniform should be in uniform somewhere. Hopefully he gets another chance to show it." Guillen, 51, said it wasn't the first time he has heard such a decree. The source, he said, was something special. His breakup with the White Sox and his feud with Williams sometimes played out pub licly. Both have said they are on good terms now. "Coming from Kenny it means a lot because Kenny knows baseball. Kenny's cool," Guillen said. "But when I was in baseball everybody couldn't wait for me to get the (expletive) out. That's the way it is." Now Guillen can't wait to get back in. Wednesday's recap: White Sox 7, Blue Jays 6 (11 innings) Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 Ad am Eaton hit a walk - off home run to right field in the 11th inning to give the White Sox a 7 - 6 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday. The Sox scored more than four runs in a game at U.S. Cellular Field for the first time in nearly two months. Eaton also had the tying RBI single in the sixth. At the plate Adam LaRoche's two - run double highlighted a three - run first against Blue Jays right - hander Drew Hutchison. On the mound John Danks gave up six earned runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeout s over 41/3 innings. On the bases Avisail Garcia singled to right with one out in the ninth b ut was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. In the field Danks failed to cover first base on Devon Travis' single to help the Blue Jays load the bases with no outs in their four - run third. Key number 8 - 2 – Sox record in extra - inning games. The quote "I have to admit that was the first time I tried to hit a homer. For some reason ... it happened to work out well. I'm very fortunate it went out." — Eaton Up next Vs. Blue Jays, 1:10 p.m. Thursday, CSN. Carlos Sanchez or Micah Johnson? 2B dil emma for White Sox Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 Ca rlos Sanchez and Micah Johnson have presented the White Sox with a dilemma this year — defense or offense? Sanchez replaced Johnson in mid - May to shore up the Sox's defense at second base, and he has performed that task well. But he has also hit just .166 with seven extra - base hits and 10 RBIs entering Wednesday. His RBI single Tuesday broke an 0 - for - 11 streak on the homestand . "He's done what he's supposed to do (defensively)," manager Robin Ventura said. "Would he want to hit better? Absolutely. … I think he will do that. But mo ving forward, you're looking at what kind pieces you can move around to kind of shake things up." Johnson is hitting .309 with 10 doubles, four home runs and 17 stolen bases with Triple - A Charlotte. He had four hits including a homer Tuesday, and general manager Rick Hahn said his defense has been “solid.” Hahn said the team met with its minor - league development representatives to gain an idea of which prospects can help the Sox moving forward. "Micah's swinging the bat real well, playing solid defense there and certainly is a viable option to help us here," Hahn said. "We fully expected at some point Mica h to return. We've got a pretty good idea of what he would add to the roster if and when he does return." Guerra suspended: White Sox minor - league reliever Javy Guerra has been suspended 50 games without pay for a second positive test for a drug of abuse. Guerra, 29, who was on the Triple - A Charlotte roster, pitched 12/3 scoreless innings in three games with the Sox this year before he was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammat ion. He made just four appearances with Charlotte, the last on May 5. Guerra has pitched for parts of five seasons in the majors, including 42 games with the Sox in 2014. “We are always very disappointed when one of our players tests positive,” Sox assis tant general manager Buddy Bell said. "But we know the testing program works, and all of our players also know that everyone in the White Sox organization and all of our resources are available to help at all times." The return: Jeff Samardzija will pitc h Thursday against the Blue Jays, so he won't face his former team this weekend at Wrigley Field. "It's unfortunate, but it's OK," Samardzija said. "I'll be there to watch. It'll be cool to be back there and enjoy the great visiting facilities, from what I've heard." White Sox minor - league pitcher Javy Guerra suspended for second positive drug test Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 Wh ite Sox minor - league r eliever Javy Guerra has been suspended 50 games without pay for a second positive test for a drug of abuse, Major Leagu e Baseball announced Wednesday. Guerra, who was on the Triple - A Charlotte roster, begins his suspension immediately. The 29 - year - old ri ght - hander started the season with the Sox, but he pitched in just three contests, posting 1 2/3 scoreless innings, before he was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. The Sox designated him for assignment, and he made just four ap pearances with Charlotte, the last on May 5. Guerra had pitched for parts of five seasons in the majors, including 42 games with the Sox in 2014. “We are always very disappointed when one of our players tests positive,” Sox assistant general manager Buddy Bell said. "But we know the testing program works, and all of our players also know that everyone in the White Sox organization and all of our res ources are available to help at all times." White Sox defeat Jays on Eaton's walk - off homer Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 All is quiet on the trade front. But it’s early. Three weeks before the trade deadline, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has a plan in place that likely involves moving players to contending teams. Barring a hot streak that is tough to envision from a team that is flopping horribly at the plate, changes will be made. Who goes, remains to be seen. Jeff Samardzija becomes a free agent after the season. Alexei Ramirez is in his last year with the team unless they pick up his option for 2016. Adam LaRoche has a year left. Hahn reiterated that the plan going forward wo uldn’t involve a tear down, not with starting pitchers like Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon under control for several years. “If we do start focusing on the future, it’s to figure out how many of this group are going to be part of that core and the best way to add to it,’’ Hahn said before the Sox (38 - 44) beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7 - 6 after Adam Eaton hit a walk - off solo homer in the 11th Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field. Hahn and vice president Ken Williams began a restructuring of the roster two years ago in July when they traded Jake Peavy in a three - way deal that netted Avisail Garcia. They surprised everyone last offseason by adding big. “When we sort of started initially down this path midway through ’13, it was with the idea that we wer e going to try to add on an annual basis and expand the core,’’ Hahn said. “Obviously we felt heading into this season that we put ourselves in a position to contend but it was still, as I said at the time repeatedly over the offseason, is that it’s part o f a process. We weren’t done and in our minds going to stop looking to try to add to a core group. We have a fair amount of controllable talent entering or in their primes for the next several years and that’s an enviable position to be in.’’ The Sox off ense has been one of the least productive in club history. They stopped their franchise record of 24 consecutive home games with four runs or less when they scored twice in the sixth inning to tie the score at 6 - 6. How rare was that run? The last team to g o 25 in a row was the Texas Rangers over the 1972 and ‘73 seasons. Pitchers Scott Carroll, Zach Duke, David Robertson and Zach Putnam (3 - 3) followed a poor start by John Danks (six runs over 4 1/3) teaming up for scoreless relief. Eaton blessed their work by hitting Roberto Osuna’s second pitch over the right - field wall, the first walk - off homer by a Sox leadoff man since Scott Podsednik in the 2005 World Series. “That was the first time I tried to hit a homer and actually hit one,’’ said Eaton, who estimated he tries going deep about every two weeks. Eaton’s homer was the Sox’ 16th hit – a whopping total for them. Avisail Garcia had four. All refreshing stuff f or the Sox. “I’ve heard people say they’ve never seen anything like this before in terms of this many, arguably high caliber offensive talents with significant track records all falling off the table at the same time,’’ Hahn said. Hahn said he has to eit her trust the track records of slumping players, “which would bode well for the season,’’ or accept that “it’s not clicking for whatever reason and you’ve got to change this mix. Those are the two avenues in front of us right now.’’ The Sox, 8 - 2 in extra innings, have won six of their last eight games and 10 of 16. There’s still time before the deadline. “My sense I’m getting from this clubhouse is they don’t really seem to be concerned about the trade deadline at all,’’ Hahn said. “They seemed to be conc erned about finding a way to win tonight’s game. They want to put us in a position where it’s obvious that we’re not sellers over the next few weeks.’’ White Sox AAA pitcher Javy Guerra suspended 50 games Daryl Van Schouwen, Chicago Tribune July 8, 2015 Right - hander Javy Guerra, who spent most of 2014 with the White Sox, has received a 50 - game suspension without pay after a second positive drug test for a drug of abuse in violation of th e Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Guerra, 29, made the Opening Day roster but dealt with right shoulder inflammation and pitched in only three games in early April for the Sox. At Charlotte, Guerra has pitched in four games, allowing seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings over four appearances. Guerra pitched in 42 games for the Sox last season, posting a 2.91 ERA over 46.1 innings. In five seasons between the Dodgers and Sox, Guerra owns a 2.87 ERA with 30 saves. “We are always very disappointed when one of our players tests positive,” said Buddy Bell, Sox assistant general manager. “But we know the testing program works, and all of our players also know that everyone in the White Sox organization and all of our resources are ava ilable to help at all times.” Sale likely limited to inning in All - Star Game Manager Robin Ventura was asked if Chris Sale should start the All - Star Game. His answer? “He could do anything,” Ventura said. “I don’t think he necessarily has to start i t but in my book, he would do anything he wanted to do. He’s a good enough pitcher to start it, finish it, pitch in the middle. Do one hitter, whatever. He could do anything.” Sale’s last start before the All - Star break is Saturday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, which would allow him two days rest. That’s enough to pitch Tuesday, but Ventura said he wouldn’t want Sale to pitch more than one inning. Tuesday would be a side t hrow day for Sale, who usually throws lightly on such days. ”He goes out and gets a feel, he understands his body better, he has been pitching deeper in games and throwing more pitches per game so it makes sense that he back off a bit,” Ventura said. “He’s been pitching well enough that there’s not a ton to work on, just more feel.” Sale has appeared in the All - Star games in each of his three seasons as a starter, all in relief. He was the winning pitcher in 2013. Erik Johnson to start AAA All - Star Game Charlotte right - hander Erik Johnson has been named to start the AAA All - Star Game Wednesday in Omaha, Neb. Johnson leads the International Leauge with 96 strikeouts and is 7 - 5 with a 2.86 ERA in 15 games, including 14 starts. Johnson, a former secon d - round draft pick, impressed during a September call - up in 2013 and won a spot in the Sox starting rotation in spring training last year, but struggled in five starts with the Sox, posting a 6.46 ERA. That earned hi m a demotion back to Charlotte. “He’s h aving a great year,” Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Wednesday. “On one level, you’re really happy for the kid because obviously he struggled and it sort of got away from him a little bit in ’14, and now not only has it come back, but arguably it’s come back at a level beyond even where he was in ’12 and ’13. So we’re very happy for him. It’s a well deserved accomplishment and it obviously puts us in a nice position going forward of having some pitching depth who can also play a role here in the second h alf if need be.” The other Johnson Second baseman Micah Johnson, sent to Charlotte with a .270 batting average that would be the third highest in the Sox lineup, is hitting .309, “swinging the bat real well, playing solid defense there and certainly is a viable option to help us here,” Hahn said. Johnson, who wasn’t cutting it defensively, has been replaced by Carlos Sanchez — who is but was hitting a paltry .160. “We fully expected at some point Micah to return,” Hahn said. “We’ve got a pretty good idea of what he would add to the roster if and when he does return.” Hahn described Johnson’s defense at Charlotte as “solid, absolutely.” “You start kicking around what’s going to make sense going forward,” Ventura said. “You’re looking at what kind of pieces you can move around to kind of shake things up.” Wednesday's Top 5: Jacob deGrom bids for All - Star start David Schoenfield, ESPN.com July 8, 2015 1. Jacob deGrom, New Yo rk Mets. Is it a foregone conclusion that Max Scherzer will start the All - Star Game? Maybe not. DeGrom was brilliant again, allowing two hits and striking out 10 in throwing eight scoreless innings in a 4 - 1 victory over the Giants. The second - year right - ha nder finished his first half with a 9 - 6 record and 2.14 ERA. It was his sixth scoreless outing of the season and third of at least eight innings with two or fewer hits and no runs. Since 2010, only four other starters had three such starts in a season: Jos h Beckett in 2011, Felix Hernandez and Matt Cain in 2012 and Jordan Zimmermann in 2013. The last pitcher with four such starts in a season? Pedro Martinez in 2002. Speaking of Pedro ... 2. Adam Eaton, Chicago White Sox. Walk - off home runs in extra inning s are fun! 3. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers. Remember him? Wasn't named to the All - Star team. Has to crawl his way in through the final - player vote or maybe as a replacement. Here's what he thinks about that: 9 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 13 SO, 123 pitche s. Good night, Phillies. 4. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees. He slammed two home runs as the Yankees held on for a 5 - 4 win over the A's. Did you see this coming? I sure didn't. Teixeira is hitting .244/.356/.546 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs. He hit 22 h ome runs in 123 games last year and 24 in 123 games in 2012 (he missed most of 2013). Both of his home runs came off reliever Evan Scribner, who was pressed into early duty when Scott Kazmir left after three innings with triceps tightness. The two home run s came with two strikes, both off fastballs. Note to pitchers: Teixeira can still hit fastballs! Fifteen of his 22 home runs have been on fastballs. Only Albert Pujols (18), Todd Frazier (18) and Mike Trout (16) have more home runs against fastballs. 5. J honny Peralta, St. Louis Cardinals. His dramatic, two - out, two - strike, two - run homer in the top of the ninth off Pedro Strop lifted the Cardinals to a 6 - 5 victory over the Cubs. Peralta leads all shortstops in WAR in the past two seas ons. He's been an All - Star in three out of the past five seasons. He's hitting third for the best team in baseball. Give this man some respect. Eaton's walkoff home run lifts White Sox over Blue Jays 7 - 6 The Associated Press, ESPN.com July 8, 2015 Adam Eaton surprised just about everybody, including himself. Eaton's walkoff home run in the 11th inning lifted the Chicago White Sox to a 7 - 6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night. Eaton h ammered a 1 - 0 pitch to right field off Toronto reliever Roberto Osuna (1 - 3) for his sixth homer of the season. The 5 - 8, 183 - pound leadoff hitter went from trying to bunt on the first pitch to hitting his second career game - ending home run of his career. "I tried to bunt there and I felt like the next one was going to be a heater. I have to admit, that was the first time I tried to hit a homer, and for some reason I don't know how, I blacked out, but it happened to work out I was very fortunate it went out," said Eaton. Osuna thought Eaton was going to try bunt on the second pitch. "I tried to go in. I thought he was going to bunt. The pitch was right there," said Osuna. Josh Donaldson hit a pair of doubles and drove in two runs for Toronto. Zach Putnam (3 - 3) pitched a scoreless 11th and White Sox relievers shut out the Blue Jays for 6 2/3 innings, giving up two hits. Avisal Garcia had four hits, matching a career high, and the White Sox have won six of their last eight games. "In the past w eek and a half we've been playing better baseball," said Eaton. "We've been battling and scoring more runs lately, but at least our pitching has been there." Blue Jays starter Drew Hutchison ran into trouble in the first inning. He allowed a leadoff walk to Eaton, then Jose Abreu singled to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Eaton scored on a sacrifice fly by Melky Cabrera. With runners on first and second, Adam LaRoche doubled to extend the lead to 3 - 0. LaRoche was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple. In the third inning with the bases loaded and no outs, Jose Reyes hit a two - run single and Donaldson followed with an RBI double off White Sox starter John Danks. Edwin Encarnacion gave the Blue Jays a 4 - 3 lead with a sacrifice fly. The White S ox got help in the fourth inning when Toronto center fielder Kevin Pillar lost Abreu's ball in the lights, which ended up being a double. Abreu scored on Garcia's single to tie the game. Donaldson got the lead back for Toronto with an RBI double off the r ight - field fence in the fifth inning. Jose Bautista chased Danks with a single up the middle to score Donaldson and give Toronto a 6 - 4 lead. Toronto reliever Liam Hendricks gave up a two - out RBI single to Carlos Sanchez in the sixth inning. After Hendrick s was pulled, reliever Aaron Loup gave up an infield RBI single to Eaton to tie the game at six. For the first time since May 9, the White Sox scored more than four runs at home. Hutchison pitched five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, while str iking out six and walking two. Hutchison, who has received the most run support in baseball, had his ERA rise to 5.33. He left the game with a 6 - 4 lead, failing to get his ninth victory. "Our offense came back and did a great job like they've been doing. Just need to go deeper in games," said Hutchison. Danks gave up six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. TRAINING ROOM BLUE JAYS: RHP Aaron Sanchez, who is on the 15 - day disabled list with a strained right lat, pitched two innings, giving up two runs on three hits in a rehab stint for the Gulf Coast Blue Jays of the rookie league on Tuesday. He's been on the disabled list since June 6 with the shoulder injury. He is 5 - 4 with a 3.55 ERA. UP NEXT The Blue Jays and White Sox conclude their four - game series Thursday. Toronto starts R.A. Dickey (3 - 9) against Jeff Samardzija (5 - 4). Dickey is 0 - 6 on the road with a 6.10 ERA. In his last start against the Blue Jays, Samardzija allowed one unearned run in seven innings. Javy Guerra, Sox minor leaguer, suspended 50 games The Associated Press, ESPN.com July 8, 2015 A min or league pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox this year has gotten a 50 - game drug suspension. Javy Guerra was penalized Wednesday by the commissioner's office after a second positive test for a drug of abuse. The 29 - year - old Guerra was currently on the roster of Triple - A Charlotte. Guerra was 0 - 0 in three games for Chicago this season and didn't give up a run in 1 2/3 innings. The righty made 42 relief appearances for the White Sox last year. Guerra has pitched in parts of five major league sea sons. He had 21 saves as a rookie with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011. “We are always very disappointed when one of our players tests positive,” said Buddy Bell, Sox assistant general manager. "But we know the testing program works, and all of our player s also know that everyone in the White Sox organization and all of our resources are available to help at all times." There have been 67 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program. Erik Johnson nabs another honor at Charlotte Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago July 8, 2015 Erik Johnson's revival at Triple - A Charlotte will now include a start for the International League at the Triple - A All - Star Game next Wednesday in Omaha, Nebraska. Johnson, a White Sox second - round draft pick in 2011, is 7 - 5 at Charlotte this season with a 2.86 ERA. Johnson earned a spot on the White Sox’s Opening Day roster last season, but the year could only be viewed as disappointment from there. In five starts with the White Sox he posted a 6.46 ERA then went back to Charlotte, where he went 5 - 7 with a 6.73 ERA. It was the first time he had made more than eight starts in a minor - league season and posted worse than a 2.74 ERA. But after a 2014 season when his v elocity was down slightly, his power - pitching ways have returned and so has the success. In 15 appearances (14 starts this year) he has averaged 10.21 strikeouts per nine innings, best in the International League. Over his last 32 innings he has allowed ju st one earned run. The All - Star Game start isn't Johnson's only honor this season. He was named International League pitcher of the week from June 15 - 21 after going 2 - 0 and not giving up an earned run over 14 innings. Johnson is one of four Charlotte pla yers named to the Triple - A All - Star Game, along with outfielder Trace Thompson, infielder Matt Davidson and pitcher Zach Phillips. Davidson will participate in Monday’s Triple - A Home Run Derby. The International League all - stars will face off against the Pacific Coast League all - stars Wednesday from Omaha’s Werner Park. Today on CSN: White Sox send Shark to close out series CSN Chicago July 8, 2015 The White Sox take on the Blue Jays this afternoon, and you can catch all the action on Comcast SportsNet. Coverage begins with White Sox Pregame Live at 12:30 p.m. Then catch first pitch with Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone. Be sure to stick around after the final o ut to get analysis and player reaction on White Sox Postgame Live. Adam Eaton's walkoff homer lifts White Sox to win over Blue Jays Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago July 8, 2015 The way Will Ferre ll debated in ‘Old School’ is how Adam Eaton described his walkoff home run on Wednesday night. “I blacked out,” Eaton said. Eaton said he intentionally swung for the fences when he led off the 11th inning and his solo shot off Roberto Osuna propelled th e White Sox to a 7 - 6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in front of 17,032 at U.S. Cellular Field. The second walkoff of Eaton’s career helped the White Sox to their sixth win in eight tries as the offense finally broke out of a long slumber at home. The White Sox finished with 16 hits and snapped a franchise - record streak at 24 straight home games with four or fewer runs scored, a stretch that dated back to May 9. “I thought the next one was going to be a heater,” Eaton said of a 1 - 0 pitch that resulted in his sixth homer. “I have to admit that was the first time I tried to hit a homer, and for some reason, I don’t know, I blacked out. But it happened to work out well.” Eaton’s walkoff homer was the first by a White Sox leadoff man since Scott Podsednik ended Game 2 of the 2005 World Series with a ninth - inning solo homer off Houston’s Brad Lidge. The 362 - foot drive is as rare as the night it ended for the White Sox offense. A group that has languished for 81 games, aver aging 3.41 runs per contest, got going early with three first - inning runs against Toronto starter Drew Hutchison. Melky Cabrera had a sacrifice fly and Adam LaRoche doubled in two more to give the White Sox a 3 - 0 lead. “We are putting a dent in that first - inning deficit,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura joked. “Guys were swinging it and it’s nice to see.” Avisail Garcia, who had a season - high four hits, singled in a run in the third inning to tie the score at four after Jose Abreu reached on a gift, one - o ut double when center fielder Kevin Pillar lost track of a routine flyball. The White Sox also battled back from a 6 - 4 deficit in the sixth inning, all with two outs. LaRoche, who had two hits and a walk, and Alexei Ramirez both singled to start the innin g. Carlos Sanchez’s single to left scored LaRoche to make it a one - run game before Eaton’s infield RBI single tied it. John Danks couldn’t make the early lead hold up against a powerful B lue Jays lineup that chased him from the game by the fifth inning. Down 3 - 0, Toronto started the third inning with five straight hits to tie the game. Danks’ own misplay led to the third hit, an infield single by Devon Travis, as the pitcher failed to cover first base on a grounder to LaRoche. Jose Reyes then singled in t wo runs to make it a 3 - 2 game and Josh Donaldson doubled in a run. Edwin Encarnacion’s sac fly gave the Blue Jays a 4 - 3 lead. Two innings later, Donaldson had a one - out RBI double and Jose Bautista singled to make it 6 - 4. But the offense and bullpen came through for Danks, who allowed six earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. Scott Carroll stranded a pair of runners for Danks with a strikeout of Encarnacion and a Chris Colabello groundout. Carroll pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out three. Zach Duke pitched two scoreless innings. David Robertson and Zach Putnam (3 - 3) each had one for the White Sox. “The offense picked us up,” Danks said. “Picked me up. We showed up to the ballpark trying to win a ballgame and we did that. It wasn’t pretty but a win is a win and we’ll take that.” Eaton reached base four times in six trips to the plate. Similar to the way Ferrell couldn’t recall how he bested James Carville, Eaton had few details on the point of impact. He didn’t, however, have as much difficulty rem embering his thoughts as he raced around the bases. “Holy you know what,” Eaton said. “Very exciting. I had one in Arizona, as well. They’re very special.” White Sox bullpen plays key role in win over Blue Jays Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago July 8, 2015 The offense gets all the credit but the White Sox don’t earn a 7 - 6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday without the bullpen. Four relievers combined to allow two hits over 6 2/3 scoreless inni ngs to keep the White Sox within striking distance. The group’s effort gave the White Sox a chance to twice rally against the Blue Jays before Adam Eaton sent them home a winner for the sixth time in eight tries with a solo homer to start the 11th inning. “Our pitching has been there,” Eaton said. “(Jose Quintana has) been giving us great outings, everybody. Bullpen’s been great. Starting pitching’s been great. We picked up (Sale) the other night hitting. So when those guys do their job, we want to do ours . And that makes a good team great.” Scott Carroll offered a big lift when he relieved John Danks in the fifth inning and stranded a runner in scoring position to keep the White So x within 6 - 4. With a man on second, Carroll struck out Edwin Encarnacion and retired Chris Colabello on a grounder to short. An inning later,Carroll pitched out of his own bases - loaded, one - out jam. He induced a pop out off Jose Reyes’ bat and got Josh Do naldson to ground out. The White Sox scored twice in the bottom of the sixth and Carroll, who has a 3.28 ERA, kept it tied with another scoreless frame. “You are looking at these guys in the bullpen coming in and knowing that they are in a tough spot and they responded time after time,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. Zach Duke followed with two scoreless innings while David Robertson and Zach Putna m had one apiece. Putnam earned the victory even though he had a man on second base and one out as Alexei Ramirez made a pair of nice defensive plays. “That’s a high octane offense they’ve got over there,” Putnam said. “It feels good to keep your team in the game any time, but especially against guys that swing the bat as well they do. That’s the beauty of this team --- there has been plenty of days where we haven’t pitched so well, the offense has picked us up and vice versa. Hopefully if we can match tho se up going forward we’ll have a lot of ‘W’s.” White Sox in wait - and - see mode as trade deadline looms Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago July 8, 2015 Ther e are 23 days left before the trade deadline and Rick Hahn is considering several options as he decides whether or not to sell. Prominent in the general manager’s thought process is how far below their career track records many veteran position players ar e and if they could recover -- even a little -- the White Sox offense would become a much more formidable bunch. In its current state, the White Sox offense is on pace to score 552 runs this season, which would mark one of the worst outputs in franchise h istory. And having witnessed it for 81 games, Hahn isn’t oblivious to what has transpired. He can’t unsee the repeated poor performances and missed chances if he tried. Still, with the pitching the White Sox possess and parity reigning in the American Le ague, any kind of lengthy run could catapult them back into the playoff picture. It's clear how real the struggle is for Hahn. “It is hard having now seen this for 81 games, to not trust what your eyes are showi ng you,” Hahn said. “And it’s showing you it’s not clicking for whatever reason and you’ve got to change this mix. “Those are the two avenues in front of us right now.” This isn’t the street the White Sox believed they’d be on when they added $74.5 milli on worth of free agents in the offseason. They thought they’d improve upon a group that averaged 4.07 runs per game last season once they added Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche, among others. But instead of Park Place they’re on Baltic Avenue, averaging 3.41 runs per contest. “I’ve heard people say they’ve never seen anything like this before,” Hahn said. Look across the board and it’s astonishing. LaRoche’s .711 OPS is 96 points below his c areer .807. Alexei Ramirez, who’s at .556, is 151 points below his career mark and he’s struggled in the field, too. Cabrera is 106 points below his norm of .746 and Conor Gillaspie is 100 points below what he did last season. Those four are hardly alone. But the White Sox hold out hope because of their pitching. And they’re 27 - 9 when they score four runs. “You see the opportunities are there,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “These guys are giving you great outings, and not just the starters, even the bullpen coming in, keeping it close, keeping you within one run to be able to get something done and you can't get it done. I know these guys are frustrated and they're good enough to be able to have it turn and you're waiting for it to turn.” Two da ys after starter Jeff Samardzija said he hasn’t even though about the possibility of being traded, Hahn echoed those sentiments. Players aren’t focused on a breakup but how they can improve the current club, Hahn said. “The sentiment is that, they want to put us in a position where it’s obvious that we’re not sellers over the next few weeks,” Hahn said. “They expect to go on a run and make it clear that we’re fulfilling the expectation we all had.” And if they don’t complete a turnaround -- something the odds don’t favor and mounting evidence suggests would be extremely difficult -- it doesn’t sound as if a complete makeover is the plan. Hahn intends to evaluate who is part of the core and who isn’t. “Obviously we felt heading into this season that we put ourselves in a position to contend but it was still, as I said at the time repeatedly over the offseason, it’s part of a process,” Hahn said. “We weren’t done and in our minds going to stop looking to try to add to a core group. We have a fair amount of c ontrollable talent entering or in their primes for the next several years and that’s an enviable position to be in. From our standpoint, if we do start focusing on the future, it’s to figure out how many of this group are going to be part of that core and the best way to add to it.” White Sox: Erik Johnson earns Triple - A All - Star Game start Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago July 8, 2015 Erik Johnson is back on the map and he’s set to start the Triple - A Al l - Star game next week, too. A strong season highlighted by a dominant six - game stretch earned Johnson the nod for the International League in next Wednesday’s exhibition. It also has helped the Triple - A Charlotte pitcher -- once the No. 2 prospect in the White Sox farm system who was sent back to the minors after five starts in 2014 -- reemerge in the organization’s plans after a disastrous 2014 season. Johnson is 7 - 5 with a 2.86 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 85 innings at Triple - A Charlotte this season. Over his last six games, Johnson has a 1.07 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 42 innings. “He’s having a great year,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. “On one level, you’re really happy for the kid because obviously he struggled and it sort of got away from him a little bit in ’14. And now not only has it come back, but arguably it’s c ome back at a level beyond even where he was in ’12 and ’13. “It obviously puts us in a nice position going forward of having some pitching depth who can also play a role here in the second half if need be.” The White Sox recently slowed Johnson down in an effort to monitor his workload. He last pitched on June 26, though the right - hander will pitch a few innings on Friday before he pitches in the All - Star Game next Wednesday. Johnson is then expected to return to Charlotte’s rotation on a normal schedule . Johnson rose to prominence in 2013 as he went12 - 3 with a 1.96 ERA between Double - A and Triple - A. He also pitched well infive big league starts with the White Sox that September and was rated t he No. 63 prospect by Baseball America heading into 2014. Without much competition, Johnson was handed a spot in the 2014 starting rotation and struggled immediately, going 1 - 1 with a 6.46 ERA in 23 2/3 innings. His velocity declined as did his command an d Johnson was sent back to Charlotte, where he had a 6.73 ERA in 20 starts. But this spring, Johnson regained his velocity and wanted to show the White Sox he was still a viable option in the future. “I am optimistic,” Johnson said in March. “I feel good . I’m throwing the ball well from what I can see. I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying every day. I’m really thankful to be here and be part of this organization. I’m not here to just go through camp, I’m here to make some moves.”