Very little went right for the White Sox on Friday. The one bit of good news -- they had least had their superstar healthy and back in the starting lineup after a scare Thursday night.
Left fielder Carlos Quentin, who had to leave the game in the eighth in Baltimore after getting plunked on the left hand, was cleared to play against the Blue Jays on Friday. Considering it was a right wrist fracture suffered by Quentin last season when he smacked his own bat out of frustration, there were many in the organization holding their breath when Quentin was nailed Thursday.
Not that Quentin, with his hovering over the plate style, isn't used to getting hit, as it was the fourth time he was plunked this season, after he led the American League last year in that category with 20.
"I have (gear)," Quentin explained, "It always has been a touchy subject with me as far as comfort. If there comes a time when protection comes into play, I have stuff to use. It might be something I have to think about.
"I've been hit a lot, I've dealt with it, and I've had no problem with it, for the most part. I've done things the right way. Occasionally, there are some times where I don't pick up the ball until late and it catches me. That's what happened (Thursday) night.
Not that Quentin had a very long night, as he was pulled in the blowout loss to the Jays, going 0-for-2 with a walk.
As far as the idea that teams are taking target practice on Quentin for his bat flick after home runs or the fact that he does stand on the plate, manager Ozzie Guillen said that it is something he and the coaching staff have kept a close eye on.
"If someone hits him intentionally, I will protect him," Guillen said. "But they throw up and in, and he's on top of the plate. When you're on top of the plate, and you're the type of hitter he is, the pitcher has to use the inside of the plate.
"I don't believe anybody throws at him, I know that for a fact. If somebody throws at him, I'll take my suspension. I will protect him."
BLUE JAYS 14, WHITE SOX 0: That sturdy starting rotation that dominated through the first few weeks, all of a sudden is leaky and bad. And the Jays took advantage of the latest starter to fall on his face, making a short night for right-hander Gavin Floyd.
Floyd, who was a 17-game winner last year, was sent to the showers after just 4 1/3 innings pitched, allowing six runs on nine hits, while walking five. That followed up bad performances from Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreras in Baltimore. Only John Danks was solid over the last four games. As for the bullpen, rookie Jack Egbert was rocked for six runs on seven hits, and then Clayton Richard allowed two runs.
