|
 For the past nine games the 26-year-old Chicago White Sox infielder
has now living his dream.
Saladino hasn't missed a missed a start since being called up by the
White Sox from Triple-A Charlotte on July 10.
His .355 batting average in eight games earned a ninth straight
appearance on Wednesday as Chicago wrapped up a two-game home inter
league series with the St. Louis Cardinals at U.S. Cellular Field.
"All the kids that are in the stands right now, you have no idea who
could be the next guy here," he said this week. "It's the same thing
I was going through as a kid. I don't let myself forget that kind of
stuff. They're just kids out there. If there's any way I could
inspire them or something to chase the dream of (being a baseball
player) it's worth it."
On Tuesday, he went 3-for-5 and homered for the second consecutive
game. On Wednesday, he was 0-for-4 but reached base on a fielder's
choice.
Saladino entered Wednesday's series finale with hits in seven of his
first eight career games, making him the first White Sox player to
accomplish that feat since Frank Thomas also hit in seven in 1990.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura likes Saladino's approach and
flexibility.
"He adjusts, you can see him take a ball to right field and the next
at-bat he'll hit a homer," Ventura said. "(He has) just a nice feel
for the game and adjustments. He's been able to do that while he's
been up here."
Saladino has played eight games at third base and one at shortstop.
Now he hopes his efforts will lead to a longer stay with Chicago.
"I think a lot of it is being yourself and trusting what you've
always done," Saladino said. "If you try to do too much or be
someone who you're not that's not really possible. All the work that
you've done, there's a reason you did it."
-----------------------------------------------
MLB Team Report - Chicago White Sox - NOTES, QUOTES
RECORD: 42-50
STREAK: Lost four
NEXT: White Sox (RHP Jeff Samardzija, 6-5, 4.08 ERA) at Indians (RHP
Trevor Bauer, 8-6, 4.03 ERA)
PLAYER NOTES:
--LHP John Danks, making his first career appearance against the
Cardinals, had no decision after he gave up five hits, struck out
five and walked none in 6 2/3 innings of work in a pitchers' duel
with Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn. "I would have liked to have
gone deeper, but I feel like I did my job," he said. "I turned it
over to a really good bullpen. Good players on a good team found a
way to beat us."
--SS Alexei Ramirez went 1-for-4 on Wednesday and is batting .327
(20-for-61) with three home runs and 10 RBIs over 15 inter league
games this season.
--RHP David Robertson gave up a two-out eighth inning triple to
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina that scored three runs for a 3-2 St.
Louis lead. It was his fifth blow save of the season. Robertson owns
a 1.03 ERA at U.S. Cellular Field in 26 1/3 innings.
--1B Jose Abreu gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the sixth with a
single to left. He has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 inter league
games, with a .297 average during that span.
--LF Melky Cabrera went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in the sixth
inning. He's hitting .326 over his last 25 games.
--RHP Jeff Samardzija makes his 20th start of the season and 11th on
the road as the White Sox open a four-game series in Cleveland on
Thursday. Samardzija (6-5, 4.08 ERA) suffered the loss in his last
start on July 17, allowing four runs on seven hits over seven
innings in a 4-2 White Sox loss. He'll make his second career start
against the Indians. Samardzija is 2-3 with a 5.29 ERA in 10 road
starts this year.
[to top of second column] |
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I would have liked to have gone deeper, but I feel
like I did my job. I turned it over to a really good bullpen. Good
players on a good team found a way to beat us." -- White Sox LHP
John Danks, after a loss to St. Louis on Wednesday.
----------------------------------------------
MLB Team Report - Chicago White Sox - ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Nate Jones (Tommy John surgery in July 2014) went on the
60-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He threw simulated
games throughout June and into early July. He began a rehab
assignment with Class A Winston-Salem on July 10, then transferred
his rehab to Triple-A Charlotte on July 20.
ROTATION:
LHP Chris Sale
RHP Jeff Samardzija
LHP Jose Quintana
LHP John Danks
LHP Carlos Rodon
BULLPEN:
RHP David Robertson (closer)
RHP Jake Petricka
RHP Zach Putnam
LHP Zach Duke
RHP Daniel Webb
LHP Dan Jennings
RHP Matt Albers
CATCHERS:
Tyler Flowers
Geovany Soto
INFIELDERS:
1B Jose Abreu
2B Carlos Sanchez
SS Alexei Ramirez
3B Tyler Saladino
DH Adam LaRoche
INF/OF Emilio Bonafacio
INF Gordon Beckham
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Melky Cabrera
CF Adam Eaton
RF Avisail Garcia
OF J.B. Shuck
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