--1B Paul Konerko continued to struggle and now could be seeing some serious bench time if it continues. After going 0-for-4 in Monday's loss and then 1-for-4 on Tuesday, Konerko's average dropped to .213 on the year. According to manager Ozzie Guillen, Konerko needs to stop beating himself up mentally, and time off could be the solution.
"I got to talk to him first," manager Ozzie Guillen said of the Konerko situation. "I'm not going to make a move without telling him what is on my mind. My question is, if I bench Paulie, who is on first?" When the name "Nick Swisher" was the response, Guillen said, "And? (Swisher's) .226 vs. (Konerko's) .213."
Guillen was then pushed on the issue of is the team better when Swisher is at first and the platoon of Brian Anderson and Dewayne Wise are in center field. After all, when Konerko was on the disabled list back in mid-June, the Sox did go 13-7 without him.
"I don't think we lose any games because of the outfield, to be honest," Guillen said. "Think about what we need to do, and people say, 'Put Konerko on the bench, do this with Konerko, do that with Konerko.' Who's going to play first? Swisher? Oh. Do me a favor, check the book first and check Swisher and Konerko's averages, and it's not that much different."
--2B Alexei Ramirez continued to be one of the more dangerous Sox hitters, and he could be playing himself into getting more looks in the top of the order. The rookie went 1-for-3 Monday, followed by a two-hit game in Tuesday's loss. His .312 batting average lead this year's rookie class.
--RHP Ehren Wassermann could see his value rise after throwing two scoreless innings Monday and showing an ability to get right-handers out -- which was his specialty last season. With RHP Scott Linebrink on the disabled list until possibly mid-August, the Sox will be piecing together the bullpen to fill that void left by the veteran.
--LHP Clayton Richard went 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs in the loss to Minnesota, but after the game manager Ozzie Guillen said he was going to stick in the rotation. Richard had a shutout through four until a five-run fifth sunk him. "He goes after people," Guillen said of his rookie. "I like what I see. The guys that hurt him, hurt everyone, in (Justin) Morneau and (Joe) Mauer."
--C Toby Hall was scheduled to start Tuesday for A.J. Pierzynski, but Pierzynski is expected to be back starting Wednesday. Pierzynski does have a swollen right knee from a tipped ball Monday, but he came in as a pinch hitter in the 6-5 loss to Minnesota the next day.
BY THE NUMBERS: 68 -- The number of home runs for the Sox outfield this season, which leads the American League. The group also led the AL in slugging percentage (.506).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I always feel good that we can do it. I'll keep doing that until someone can prove me mathematically wrong. And I don't get wrapped up in the trade deadline stuff, I really don't. Over the x-amount of years, there have been all kind of names, the whole hot-stove stuff, but that is kind of for the fans and drumming up excitement." -- Pitching coach Don Cooper on the idea that a frontline pitcher might not be coming over in a trade.
