NewsUnsung hero: Carrasco appreciated
White Sox (35-38) vs. Cubs (35-35), 3:05 p.m. CT
By Jesse Temple / MLB.com
06/26/09 9:29 PM ET
CHICAGO -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was asked to assess the wear and tear of his beat-up bullpen following a grueling, 13-inning marathon victory against the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon. He could have gone in many directions with his answer. He could have cited the relief corps as a whole, which did not allow an earned run in 8 2/3 innings of work in the 6-5 win. He could have established a pecking order for who would be available in the first game of this weekend's Crosstown Showdown against the Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field. |
Instead, he singled out one pitcher, and one pitcher only: D.J. Carrasco.
"A lot of people try giving credit to the people and nobody, even me, gives credit to Carrasco," Guillen said. "I think Carrasco is the best pitcher we have. He might not have the numbers, the ERA, but he's always picking up everybody's garbage, and he's been doing that stuff for two years." Carrasco quietly has established himself as an unsung hero on the White Sox pitching staff. And if either Mark Buehrle or John Danks falter early against the Cubs during Saturday and Sunday's games, you can bet Carrasco will be in there in long-relief to pick up the leftovers. Saturday's game, which features Buehrle going up against Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster, will be broadcast on FOX by Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal. During Thursday's victory against the Dodgers, Carrasco entered in relief of starter Clayton Richard, who lasted just 4 1/3 innings. Carrasco got his team to the seventh inning, tossing 2 2/3 innings and allowing one unearned run while striking out three. Carrasco was informed on Friday morning of Guillen's postgame comments. "That's a huge compliment," Carrasco said. "Obviously what he's saying is I kind of fly under the radar. For him to acknowledge that and for the organization to see that, it kind of is fulfilling. I've worked hard every day, and I try to do the job as best as I can. For them to actually recognize that is fulfilling." Carrasco, a 32-year-old righty with five years of Major League experience, is having a breakout season. He has appeared in 25 games with a 2.85 ERA, and his 47 1/3 innings pitched are by far the most of any reliever on the team. Octavio Dotel is second at 29 2/3 innings. But things haven't always been this stable for Carrasco. He tallied a sub-four ERA only once in his first four big league seasons. It took time for Carrasco to learn the nuances that come with pitching in the Majors. In the Minor Leagues, he was a dominating strikeout pitcher, but that didn't transfer into success at the big league level, as he moved from Class A ball right into the big leagues with the Kansas City Royals in 2003. "In A-ball, I struck everybody out," Carrasco said. "Nobody hit me hard, so I'm trying to still do that in the big leagues, and I'm falling behind in the count. I'm walking guys. I'm 3-1 all the time." During three seasons with the Royals, Carrasco went 14-15 with a 4.80 ERA and walked nearly as many as he struck out (106 walks, 128 strikeouts). He was released by the Royals after the 2005 season. Carrasco said he needed to learn how to pitch to contact and let his defense get batters out for him. He had stints in Japan, Triple-A Tucson and Triple-A Charlotte before finally returning to the Majors after nearly three seasons. Now, he is in Chicago, in his second season with the White Sox. And he has become arguably the team's most reliable pitcher. Just ask Guillen. Carrasco calls it a blessing to be back in the Majors. "It's hard enough to get to the big leagues the first time, let alone give it away and then get back to it and have success in the big leagues," Carrasco said. "This organization gave me a chance last year. They're going to put guys on the field that's going to help them win. That's what I want to be a part of." Pitching matchupCWS: LHP Mark Buehrle (7-2, 3.17 ERA)
The southpaw ended a streak of five straight starts without a victory, dating back to May 19 against the Twins, by hurling seven scoreless innings against the Reds during a 4-1 victory at Great American Ball Park on Sunday. Buehrle yielded just five hits and allowed only two runners to reach second base and allowed one to reach third base, while striking out three, walking one and throwing 67 of his 103 pitches for strikes. Buehrle improved to 19-6 lifetime in Interleague Play, 27-11 lifetime in June and captured his 20th win in 28 decisions over his last 37 starts dating back to June 1, 2008. Buehrle has a 4-4 record with a 4.57 ERA in 10 starts against the Cubs. He also holds a 72-41 mark and 3.62 ERA lifetime at U.S. Cellular. CHC: RHP Ryan Dempster (4-5, 3.83 ERA)
While far from spectacular, Dempster certainly pitched well enough to win against the Braves on Monday, but was saddled with the loss. He labored through 6 2/3 innings and 118 pitches, scattering eight hits and allowing two earned runs. Monday's start was Dempster's fifth straight in which he pitched at least six innings. In his start against the White Sox on June 17, Dempster allowed three earned runs in six innings pitched, but walked six batters at Wrigley Field. Tidbits
The White Sox hit two home runs in Friday's 5-4 loss against the Cubs and now have hit 15 home runs in their last six games. ... Jermaine Dye tied Bill Melton for seventh place on the White Sox all-time home run list with 154 when he launched a solo home run in the first inning. In his last four games, Dye is hitting .571 (8-for-14) with three doubles, two home runs and four RBIs. ... Jim Thome hit his Major League-leading 56th career Interleague home run with a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning. ... With an 0-for-3 showing, Paul Konerko's 10-game hitting streak came to an end. His 118-game errorless streak also ended when he made a fielding error on a ground ball in the seventh inning. Tickets
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• Sunday: White Sox (John Danks, 5-6, 4.43) vs. Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 4-2, 3.48), 1:05 p.m. CT
• Monday: White Sox (Gavin Floyd, 5-5, 4.45) at Indians (Carl Pavano, 6-6, 5.80), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: White Sox (Clayton Richard, 2-1, 4.33) at Indians (Cliff Lee, 4-6, 2.92), 6:05 p.m. CT
Jesse Temple is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
