NewsBeckham feeling at home on the road
Chicago (62-59) vs. Baltimore (49-72), 7:11 p.m. CT
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
08/21/09 1:20 AM ET
CHICAGO -- The strains of music begin to play for The Outfield classic, "Your Love," and White Sox fans know that tune only can mean one thing.Gordon Beckham is on his way to the plate at U.S. Cellular Field.
In just 67 games played this season, Beckham already has become a major fan favorite among the South Side faithful. The rookie's following has grown so strong and so deep that fans often continue singing his at-bat song after the music stops.
Playing at U.S. Cellular Field should be a true comfort zone for the 22-year-old. But instead, Beckham enters Friday's series opener with rather strange home and road splits.
Through 31 games away from U.S. Cellular, Beckham has a .372 average with five home runs and 26 RBIs. During his 36 games at home, Beckham is hitting .230 with two home runs and 18 RBIs.
It's a phenomenon that Beckham attributes to his overall slow start to the 2009 campaign.
"A lot had to do with [the fact that] I played my first [seven] here and started one-for-something," said Beckham, who actually was 2-for-24 in those first seven home games. "I wasn't very good. I think that has a lot to do with it. Take that away, and it's better than what you think."
As Beckham requested, taking those first seven contests away and his average jumps up to .265 at home. It's still nothing close to his road success, which also seems odd when playing half of his ballgames in a hitter's ballpark.
"Yeah, I should hit well here," Beckham said. "I think it's a matter of me trying to do too much for the home fans. I want to go out there and play unbelievable. Sometimes, I don't stay within myself when I'm at home."
Beckham was 0-for-7 over his first two games against the Royals, despite reaching base three times in Tuesday's loss. But he finished strong with a home run in Wednesday's 4-2 victory.
The key to offensive success for Beckham is predicated on minor adjustments, mechanics-wise, according to the prime candidate for American League Rookie of the Year. For example, on Wednesday, it was about Beckham getting his hands loaded and ready to hit and not being too lazy with those hands.
Whatever the changes, a productive Beckham in front of the remaining home crowds should help the White Sox inch closer to Detroit and a second straight American League Central title. The South Siders enter Friday's action 2 1/2 games back of the front-running Tigers.
"It's going to be fun," Beckham said. "How many times do we play [Detroit]? Six times down the stretch? I mean, it's going to come down to the last game probably.
"We would like to win it a little bit before, but it will be fun. We'll enjoy it. We just have to keep playing good baseball and keep winning series."
Pitching matchupCWS: RHP Gavin Floyd (10-7, 3.94 ERA)
Floyd has become perhaps Chicago's most reliable starter. He's 7-2 over his past 14 starts and has allowed one earned run or less in nine of those outings. He pitched seven solid innings against the A's on Saturday, giving up a run on eight hits while walking two and striking out eight. Floyd is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two career starts against the Orioles. BAL: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (7-12, 5.66 ERA)
Guthrie continued to struggle in the opening innings on Sunday, giving up three earned runs in the first inning against the Angels. The right-hander lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and issuing two walks, but picked up the no-decision in Baltimore's 17-8 loss in 13 innings. Tidbits
Beckham acknowledged that the White Sox did well to produce what they did against Zack Greinke in Wednesday's 4-2 victory. "If he has three pitches back, I think he has an unbelievable day," he said of the Royals ace. "We made him pay when we needed to, I guess." ... Manager Ozzie Guillen said Jim Thome definitely will be back in Friday's starting lineup against Baltimore. Thome has missed the past three games with a sore left heel. ... The White Sox have won eight of their past nine series at home. ... Paul Konerko collected his 1,000th RBI with the White Sox on Wednesday. ... Scott Podsednik is 17-for-34 lifetime off of Greinke. ... The White Sox are 8-7 against the Royals this season, and 35-28 at home. Tickets
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• WSCR 670, WRTO 1200 (Español) Up next
• Saturday: White Sox (John Danks, 10-8, 3.96) vs. Orioles (David Hernandez, 4-5, 4.20), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Sunday: White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 11-6, 3.78) vs. Orioles (Jason Berken, 2-11, 6.72), 1:05 p.m. CT
• Monday: White Sox (Freddy Garcia, 0-1, 10.38) at Red Sox (TBD), 6:10 p.m. CT
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
