White Sox notes: Eaton aftermath, Thompson scratched, Albers' streak, Carroll's car

Adam Eaton wasn’t in the mood to discuss his over-aggressive baserunning mistake in the ninth inning of the White Sox’ 17-6 loss to the A’s the night before, but the leadoff man finally relented when pressed before Wednesday’s game.

“I goofed up,” Eaton said. “It’s in the past. We are trying to move forward.”

Eaton was thrown out easily at second base after he led off the ninth with a single to center. After the game, manager Robin Ventura questioned Eaton’s decision in that situation. The odds against the Sox scoring enough runs to get back in the game were obviously astronomical, but advancing a base accomplished little and the attempt seemed to make little sense.

That Ventura questioned the wisdom of it after the game led to questions for Eaton, who was unavailable Tuesday night.

“You guys, I get that I made a bad play,” Eaton said Wednesday. “Why are we going to shine a light on that when we were down how many runs at that point? I’m trying to make something happen. I saw how the play was coming about. I saw him kind of backhand it and kind of slow down. I was trying to make something happen.

“Again, next question. I think that’s kind of how the season went. I don’t understand why we are focusing on that. I get it’s a story for you guys but why.”Eaton’s out on the bases made for a strange ending to an embarrassing night for the Sox. Jeff Samardzija allowed 10 runs in three-plus innings and his relief, right-hander Daniel Webb, was charged with six runs while recording one out. Ventura, running short on arms in the bullpen, became the first manager in 113 years to use two position players as pitchers when he summoned infielders Leury Garcia and Alexei Ramirez to cover the last two innings.

“It’s not the end of the world, but it’s not the smartest play either,’’ Ventura said. “Part of it is just admitting that it wasn’t a smart play. He knows that now, he knew it right when he did it. You’re not going out there, especially because he’s not going to be tying up the game anytime soon. You’re saving outs.

“I think part of his thing is his aggressiveness and the way he plays. Sometimes he gets out in front of what’s a smart play and right there, that wasn’t a smart play.’’

Ventura said it certainly wasn’t a case of Eaton trying to get the game over with.

“The way he plays and his aggressiveness, like running into fences when he doesn’t necessarily have to, that comes into it just as much,’’ Ventura said. “He knows he messed up and it wasn’t a good play.’’

Thompson scratched

Eaton was at designated hitter Wednesday while Trayce Thompson was originally penciled in to play center field, but Thompson was a late scratch. Thompson hyperextended his left elbow diving for a ball Monday.

Ventura was looking forward to seeing Thompson in center, and, before he was scratched, said Thompson might play there Thursday as well.

“He can play all three [outfield positions] but that’s his natural position,” Ventura said.

Albers on a roll

Right-hander Matt Albers his career-high 15th straight scoreless appearance (covering 18 2/3 innings) Tuesday. Albers owns a 1.15 ERA over his last 44 appearances dating to Sept. 2, 2013. He hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last 16 game“Just being able to throw the ball to both sides of the plate,” Albers said. “Able to locate, keeping the fastball down has really helped my out and being able to throw changeups and sliders. It’s a pretty simple plan. It’s been working for now.”Albers missed the 2014 season with a shoulder issue and part of this year with a broken finger stemming from the Sox’ bench-clearing brawl with the Royals in April.Albers (2-0, 1.34 ERA) said he is aware of the streak but taking it in stride.“Relivers can go one way or the other,” he said. “Everything can be going amazing, you’re feeling great and all of a sudden you get into a game and things go against you or you’re not taking pitches. I know how it is. A few weeks left, I really do take it one outing at a time and try to simplify.”Carroll recalledAfter Chris Sale went three innings Sunday, a 14-inning game Monday and a three-inning start by Jeff Samardzija Tuesday, Scott Carroll was recalled to beef up the inventory in the bullpen.Carroll returned to Chicago to find his car had been stolen.“Stolen near Wicker Park off of Damen Avenue, so if anyone knows of a Cadillac Escalade driving around there, that would help out,” he said. “I was gone in Charlotte the whole time. I came back to get my stuff and drive back home, and it was gone.

“Let me get the license plate right. UE6K0S. I need to put it on a doodle hat.”

Carroll, 30, is 1-1 with a 3.41 ERA over 13 relief appearances covering three different stints with the Sox in 2015. He went 7-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 16 starts with Charlotte this season.