White Sox/Twins notes

[Big Daddy]

From the Chicago Sun Times






Cotts brings relief to Sox rotation

May 22, 2004







MINNEAPOLIS -- Neal Cotts finally will get his opportunity to start again, and he plans to treat it like a relief appearance.

Cotts hasn't started a game since he fell apart Aug. 28 of last season at Yankee Stadium when he gave up five runs on three hits and four walks in just a third of an inning. After Felix Diaz failed in two starts, Cotts was asked to enter the rotation for tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins.

Cotts made the Sox roster out of spring training, but he has been used only in relief. As a reliever Cotts' strategy has been to get aggressive with hitters, and that plan has yielded a 2.45 ERA in 12 appearances (142/3 innings).

''It's probably the mentality I should have had last year that I've learned to get this year by being in the bullpen,'' he said. ''I'm just going to play it like I'm coming out of the bullpen, come at guys and put myself in the strike zone and see how it works for me.''

Manager Ozzie Guillen figures to get his bullpen involved early since Cotts hasn't seen much extended time this season. His longest outing was the 2-1/3 innings he pitched April 11 at Yankee Stadium.

''I don't want him to go five because I might hurt him,'' Guillen said. ''He's got to build up to that. I think he can go five, but we have to build that and make sure he doesn't get hurt.''

Cotts hasn't been promised anything after tonight's start. So it could be an audition for the next time the Sox need a No. 5 starter, which would be Friday or Saturday of next week against the Anaheim Angels.

''I haven't even asked any questions,'' Cotts said. ''I'm just going to take it day by day and see how it goes.''

 

[Big Daddy]

American League Preview from The Sports Network



Saturday, May 22nd (All times eastern)
Chicago White Sox (24-17) at Minnesota Twins (24-17), 7:10 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Neal Cotts (0-1, 2.45) Minnesota - Brad Radke (3-2, 4.09)

(Sports Network) - The White Sox look to extend their winning streak to a season-high five straight games when they square off against the Minnesota Twins in the third contest of their four-game set at the Metrodome.

Lefthander Neal Cotts will be making his first start of the season for the White Sox. Cotts has pitched in 12 games this season, all coming from the bullpen. Cotts ran into some trouble on May 8th, allowing two runs on one hit in an inning of work against the Blue Jays to record the loss. His last appearance was May 13 with two innings versus Baltimore.

Last season Cotts was 1-1 in five starts for the White Sox and posted an ERA of 8.10. This will be the first appearance against the Twins for the young southpaw.

The Twins will counter with Brad Radke this evening. In his last outing, Radke allowed four runs on eight hits against the Blue Jays on Monday, but did not record the decision. The 31-year-old last won on May 12th when he defeated the Mariners in Minnesota. In that game, The righthander tossed eight strong innings, allowing just three runs on 10 hits. In 25 career starts against the White Sox, Radke is 12-10 with a 4.52 ERA.

Last night, Mark Buehrle tossed seven strong innings to lead the White Sox over the Twins, 8-2. Buehrle (4-1) yielded just two runs on seven hits and two walks while matching a season-high with eight strikeouts.

Timo Perez and Jose Valentin each smacked two-run homers for the White Sox, while Juan Uribe finished 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

White Sox designated hitter Frank Thomas, who was 7-for-9 with eight RBI in the last two games, sat this one out with an upset stomach. Chicago still managed to score eight runs in his absence after scoring 25 in the previous two contests.

Twins starter Carlos Silva (5-2) was dealt his second loss of the year, no thanks to the depleted Minnesota defense that committed three errors for the second consecutive game. He yielded six runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits in just four innings.

Michael Cuddyer went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI for the injury-plagued Twins, who were without five starters in their third loss in four contests.

Frank Thomas has 438 career doubles for the White Sox, two shy of the franchise record, which is held by Luke Appling.

Minnesota is 13-7 in its building this season, while the White Sox, who are in the midst of a seven-game road trip, are 11-9 away from home this year.

The Twins have won seven of 10 versus the White Sox after dropping the previous six meetings.

05/22 11:12:59 ET

powered by www.sportsnetwork.com.

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

They're smelling blood in the water. Without the D, Minnesota is not the same team. Let's hope it continues!!

 

[Big Daddy]

Yep, BBC, we caught the Twins at a good time. Hope they survive today with a starter only expected to go 3 or 4 innings. Could be tough on the bullpen.