Reliever Bobby Thigpen, the White Sox’s all-time saves leader, bounced back from two consecutive poor outings with his first impressive performance of the spring Friday against the New York Yankees.
Pitching in relief of starter Wilson Alvarez, Thigpen retired all six batters he faced-striking out four.
The two perfect innings lowered Thigpen’s spring earned-run average to 18.00. He gave up 12 runs, 10 earned, in three innings during his first two appearances but said he was unconcerned because his coaches had him experimenting with his delivery.
– While Thigpen was turning things around, so was Alvarez, who had been the hottest Sox pitcher this spring. Alvarez was unscored upon in his first five innings. The Yankees ended that in the first of two split-squad games Friday by pounding Alvarez for five runs in the first inning. New York went on to win 7-3.
– Craig Grebeck and Brad Komminsk each committed an error in the Yankees game. Those were errors No. 16 and 17 by the Sox in eight games. Minor-league infielder Shawn Gilbert leads the pack with five errors, followed by Bo Jackson and Grebeck with three apiece.
– The Sox lost the second of their split-squad games 6-1 to the Baltimore Orioles. Dave Stieb, making his second official appearance of the spring, got the loss. He gave up three runs in three innings to leave his spring ERA at 9.00. Highly touted prospect Jason Bere pitched a perfect ninth inning. He has given up just one hit in three innings this spring and is the last Sox pitcher who has yet to give up a run.
The Sox’s Grapefruit League mark dropped to 3-6.
– Bo Jackson played his third game at first base against the Orioles and made a nice stretch and scoop on a long throw from third baseman Joey Cora in the ninth inning. He played error-free defense. Jackson was 0 for 3 at the plate, but reached base twice-once on a walk and once on a third strike that skipped to the backstop. Jackson beat the throw to first and was safe.
– The Sox weren’t alone in being approached about Rickey Henderson. Every team in baseball is being contacted about possible interest in Oakland’s disgruntled outfielder.
Henderson has one year left on his contract at $3.25 million and is upset that nearly 100 players in the major leagues are making more than he does. He wants to be traded and says it will cost “an arm and a leg” to get him.
Oakland General Manager Sandy Alderson, contacted at the A’s training camp in Phoenix, said Friday he was continuing to try to work out a trade of Henderson. But he said he didn’t expect anything to happen in the next day or two.
“We have talked to many of the other 27 teams and will talk to all of them the next few days,” Alderson said.