Dwight Smith started the night batting .266 for the Angels with two homers and 14 RBIs. The Cubs chose to keep Glenallen Hill (.228, two homers, three RBIs in 22 fewer at-bats) instead. But it’s early.
In any case, Smith has adjusted.
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“It’s going to end up being a positive,” Smith said Monday of being let loose by the only organization he’d known. “Now I’m getting to see the best breaking balls in the world.
“The one thing I don’t like about playing over here is the long travel. Chicago was centrally located.”
On the Cubs: “I haven’t seen many of the games, but what I have seen-I don’t really know. I just wish them well.”
Quick 50: Robin Ventura’s second-inning homer Monday night was the 50th for the White Sox. Coming in their 36th game, that’s the fastest they’ve ever reached the figure. The 1977 “South Side Hit Men” did it in 41.
Temporary glitch: Darrin Jackson’s three-run homer Sunday was his first for the Sox with men on. The other four were with the bases empty-but Jackson said he wasn’t worried. “You just make fun of it, that’s all,” Jackson said. “You don’t get concerned because you can’t control when a guy’s going to throw you a pitch to hit out of the park.”
Oops: Gary DiSarcina was a late scratch after the Angels’ shortstop took a batting-practice grounder above the right eye. X-rays were negative.