ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Meet the new Sox. Same as the old Sox?
Through 12 games, the White Sox have scored 39 runs. Through 12 games last season, they scored 42. That team went on to finish last in the American League in runs and homers, among other categories.
That team was 5-7, though, and this one is 8-4 because of stellar pitching, cleaner defense, some timely hitting and “smarter baseball,” manager Robin Ventura said.
This team, which added Todd Frazier to the middle of the lineup during the offseason and got Adam LaRoche (.207, 12 homers) out of it thanks to an unexpected retirement, figured to be better offensively.
But it’s looking a lot like the same old, same old. Frazier, who hit 35 home runs for the Reds last season and was expected to give Jose Abreu the protection he didn’t have last season, is off to a slow start that got worse with four strikeouts in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
“It’s been a rough stretch,’’ Frazier said after the Sox lost two of three to the Rays in a series that saw them score one, two and two runs. “But if you’d tell me we’d be 8-4 right now, I’d say that’s great, good start.’’
Ventura tipped his cap to “fantastic” lefty Matt Moore (10 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings) and not just to stand up for his players. Moore was really good.
“He had very good command of all his pitches,’’ said Abreu, who went 0-for-4 to see his average drop to .214. “Especially inside he was effective.’’
Jose Quintana was effective as usual, but he missed first base taking a flip from Abreu on what should have been the third out of the third inning. The Rays scored their third run that turned out to be the difference.
The Sox had five hits, including two by Brett Lawrie (.304) and RBI singles by Austin Jackson and Avisail Garcia. After Moore left, the Rays bullpen got eight outs without allowing a hit.
Ventura and first-year assistant hitting coach Greg Sparks suggested hitters might be pressing, although Abreu isn’t seeing it around him and Frazier said there are “no excuses.’’
“Everyone is trying to do their best to get off to a great start,’’ Sparks said. “A couple of guys are pressing. We’re not too worried about it. I think they’ll be fine.”
The Sox need Frazier, who has four hits in his last 29 at-bats, to be fine.
“He has his style of hitting that’s worked for him and served him well,” Sparks said. “There’s a lot of timing to it and right now he’s just been a little off.
“No panic there whatsoever.’’
“You’re looking at a guy who can carry the lineup for a little bit when he gets going,’’ Ventura said. “Right now, just shorten it up, make contact.’’
Frazier’s not along. Austin Jackson is hitting .200, Garcia .184 and the catching tandem of Dioner Navarro (1-for-19) and Alex Avila (3-for-22) is hitting a combined .098. Abreu hasn’t had an extra-base hit in six games.
Melky Cabrera was enjoying a six-game hitting streak but Ventura gave him a day off, citing the team’s 19-game stretch without an off day and playing on an artificial surface after a night game. Designated hitter Jerry Sands took Cabrera’s spot behind Frazier in the lineup and struck out three times before Cabrera walked as a pinch hitter in the ninth.
That came after Frazier led off the ninth with his fourth K.
“You go out there, you battle your tail off,’’ Frazier said. “Miss some pitches and swing at bad pitches, and that’s what happens when you struggle. When you go through a little stretch like this, you have to hit strikes. And if you miss them, you can’t be swinging out of the zone.’’
