Eric Patterson May Be Done as a Left Fielder
Bad outfield defense can kill a team, giving up more extra-base hits and allowing teams to take extra bases. Today's starting outfield of Eric Patterson, Jim Edmonds, and Daryle Ward made me wince when I saw the lineup. It was like the days of Glenallen Hill, Sammy Sosa, and Henry Rodriguez, only without the offensive ability.
Patterson had not played a game in leftfield in the minors this year, but has played left in 11 games now for the big league club. Today may have been his last for awhile. "We'll put somebody else out here in left field. … We'll make some changes, and go from there," said Lou Piniella after the game. Patterson misplayed a base hit for a two-base error today and has misplayed some fly balls in previous games. Additionally, the White Sox clearly had it in their game plan to send runners when the ball was in Patterson's hand, as anyone and everyone was taking extra bases against him today.
Other options while Alfonso Soriano and Reed Johnson remain on the disabled list: Matt Murton, Mark DeRosa, Ryan Theriot (with Ronny Cedeno playing shortstop), recalling Micah Hoffpauir. Return soon, Mr. Soriano.
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left field
I doubt running Hoffpauir out there would be any better.
I think the obvious solution is to put DeRosa out there, and start Ronny Cedeno at short or second. If Kosuke isn't ready to take the field yet, Murton can handle right in his absence.
Is it just me, or could anyone else feel a bad stretch coming? If I hadn't been at the Wednesday game (running my personal record to 7-0), we'd be looking at a four game losing streak. But even that game felt more like good fortune than good baseball.
Milwaukee
Is it just me, or could anyone else feel a bad stretch coming?
Yes, the Cubs seem too nicked up right now. And the starting pitching looks ... less than crisp.
And Milwaukee is rising. Have you noticed what Russell Branyan has been doing? I'd hate to see where Milwaukee would be if they would not have lost Yovani Gallardo for the season.
Piniella Tries to Backtrack on Patterson in Left?
Perhaps aware of the need to maintain Patterson's confidence should he need him in left field again, Lou Piniella apparently tried to backtrack on how his comments played out in the media yesterday. The Daily Herald's Bruce Miles says don't believe the backtracking: "Lou also said his comments about Eric Patterson were not meant to be 'what they came out in the papers.' It was pretty clear to everybody listening that Lou doesn't want to see much, if any, more of Patterson in left. I think it all came out in the papers just the way he said it and meant it."