KANSAS CITY — Mark Teahen will be in the starting lineup for the third fourth consecutive game when the White Sox play the Kansas City Royals tonight to open a three-game series against their AL Central Division foe.
Teahen, who was obtained by the Sox before the 2010 season from the Royals in exchange for infielders Chris Getz and Josh Fields, is enjoying his increased playing time since the All-Star break.
“Yeah for sure,” Teahen said. “Anybody will tell you it’s nice to get a few days in a row so I’m enjoying it.”
Rookie third baseman Brent Morel will sit for a fourth straight game, but will likely play Tuesday and Wednesday when the Royals start left-handers Danny Duffy and Bruce Chen. Teahen, a left-handed hitter, started every game of the Sox series at Detroit, where they won two of three games.
“I want to be in there but I totally understand,” Morel said Sunday. “For the way we were playing before the break and for us to play as well as we have the last couple of games, why would you switch anything up? I get it. I’m just rooting for those guys and as long as we’re winning why change anything?
“Teahen is playing well right now.”
The job was Morel’s to lose in spring training because of his defense, but Teahen has played better with the glove than he did last season.
“His defense has been good all year long,” Guillen said.
“When you are winning, the last thing you want to do is change the lineup and the momentum of the team,” Guillen said.
The job was Morel’s to lose in spring training because of his defense, but Teahen has played better with the glove than he did last season.
“His defense has been good all year long,” Guillen said. “It has been better than in the past. He has more confidence and he has worked very hard. He knows to get playing time, he has to catch the ball. That happened to him last year when we couldn’t put him in the lineup before he got hurt. But it was important for him to get out there to make the plays. He don’t have to be a Gold Glover outfielder or third base. But that will help to get more playing time.”
“When you are winning, the last thing you want to do is change the lineup and the momentum of the team.”
The Royals are in last place in the division but they always give the Sox fits in Kansas City. The last five Sox games at Kauffman Stadium have been decided in extra innings, withe Sox winning two of them. Seven of the last 10 have been decided by one run. The Sox are 3-4 in those.
Right-hander Kyle Davies (1-8, 7.74) will pitch against Sox lefty Mark Buehrle (6-5, 3.42) tonight.
