South Side Slip Up

Carlos Quentin hit two homeruns off Brian Bannister, including a two-run shot as Chicago scored four in the fifth inning as the White Sox won their second game in a row against the Royals. The loss guaranteed the Royals would not win the series, after winning their previous four including taking two out of three against the same White Sox team in Kansas City.

Bannister gave up three homeruns to bring his season total up to 18, which ties him with two others for third most homeruns surrendered in 2010. Bannister only got four groundball outs and had nine flyball outs, so in a place like U.S. Cellular Field, those kinds of splits can get you into trouble. You’ll remember early in the season, Bannister’s focus was to get a higher proportion of groundballs to prevent such homerun totals against him.

The second homer to Quentin was a bit of bad luck. Bannister got a pitch that didn’t seem very hittable but Quentin went down in the zone to get it and muscled it out. At least Bannister was able to sneak in six innings, rather than get chased out early – again.

Otherwise, there wasn’t much going for the Royals. A two out double by David DeJesus scored Jason Kendall in the eighth broke the shut out, but otherwise, the Royals couldn’t figure out White Sox starter Gavin Floyd. Floyd’s curveball was dancing all over and his control was solid, as he challenged Royals hitters and stayed ahead in the count most of the night.

In the top of the fifth, Jose Guillen drove a ball into the left field gap that reached the wall, but he had barely rounded first when the White Sox started to relay the ball back in. Chicago, assuming it was a double, threw towards third base so Guillen was able to advance but he looked awful running the bases and advanced to third on a wild pitch that bounced all over in foul territory. After the gross running display, Guillen was pulled and replaced by Wilson Betemit who went 2-2 with a double. Guillen doesn’t look like he’s alright after hurting his hamstring the other day and they might be better off sitting him for a series so that if they were going to trade him, they could showcase him at full health (or full health for Guillen). Otherwise, they’ll likely be stuck with him the rest of the year.

After Sunday’s game, the Royals are off for four days during the All-Star Break before returning to Kansas City to face Oakland starting on Friday. Zack Greinke is scheduled to be the starter in that game, despite being scratched from Sunday’s start.

Stars of the Game
Jason Kendall, 3-4, RS
David DeJesus, 1-4, RBI double
Wilson Betemit, 2-2, double

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