Since Rick Peterson came up from Nashville to coach the White Sox bullpen in place of Dewey Robinson, Roberto Hernandez-who had been a mess-has pitched 5 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball with six strikeouts. In his five appearances he’s 2-0 with two saves.
If Hernandez wants to credit Peterson, that’s fine. Whatever works. But manager Gene Lamont prefers to credit Hernandez.
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“Roberto was going to be better,” Lamont said. “We all knew that. I don’t want to take anything away from Rick, but I don’t think the reason the bullpen’s better is because of Rick-and I don’t think it was bad because of Dewey. And I don’t think Roberto was real good last year because of Dewey.”
Peterson, who arrived June 21, doesn’t know what he missed. He does know what he’s seeing.
“He’s preparing, he’s into the game, he’s going in with a great attitude,” Peterson said of Hernandez. “I love everything he’s doing-and obviously he’s doing well.”
Halfway: Frank Thomas’ 30th homer Tuesday night came in the club’s 81st game. On the obvious mathematical extension: “I don’t want to think about it,” Thomas said. It was tough enough going 24 appearances between Nos. 29 and 30. “That 30th one was a little elusive,” he said. “I’m happy to get that out of the way.”
Back at you: Earlier in the week, Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, flexing a bit, suggested the possibility of a work stoppage extending to May, 1996. Player rep Mike LaValliere returned the flex Wednesday.
“There are a number of players, especially on this team, who are prepared to play their final game in the big leagues if a strike date is set and has to occur,” LaValliere said. “With some guys, like Scotty (Sanderson) and myself, it’s kind of year by year, the way things are going. If we miss a year and a half, it would be awful tough to come back.”
Prepared to pay that price? “I’m fully prepared to do that,” said LaValliere.