Dunn laments ‘wasted season’
Slugger Adam Dunn is more disappointed than bitter when he calls this White Sox season ‘‘another wasted season.’’
‘‘I couldn’t care less what happens if you don’t make the playoffs, and we’re in the same boat as we were last year,’’ Dunn said Monday. ‘‘And the year before and the year before and the year before. So that’s how I feel.’’
Dunn, who has one year remaining on his contract, has had ‘‘a streaky season,’’ manager Robin
Ventura said. ButVentura doesn’t blame Dunn for how he feels, nor does he blame him for the Sox’ poor showing this season.
‘‘Where he’s coming from as a player, at the end of the year when you go home, that’s what you feel like,’’ Ventura said. ‘‘So I totally understand what he’s trying to say.
‘‘That’s just being a pro. I think everybody can say that, and everybody should be able to say that.’’
Run-fest
The Sox scored seven runs in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins en route to a 12-1 rout that ended a six-game skid and gave right-hander Erik Johnson (1-2) his first major-league victory.
The Sox set a season high for runs and got home runs from Dunn, Dayan Viciedo, Jordan Danks and Alexei Ramirez in support of Johnson, who allowed four hits and struck out eight in six scoreless innings.
‘‘It was good for the lineup to have a night like this,’’ Ventura said.
The game drew 15,018 fans and 960 canines in the Sox’ annual Dog Day promotion.
Clemente nominee
Left-hander Hector Santiago is the Sox’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who best represents the game through contributions on and off the field.
Last season, Santiago started ‘‘Santiago’s Soldiers,’’ a program that supports children and families dealing with illnesses. He also works with White Sox Charities and visits Lurie Children’s Hospital. In January, he made a special visit to Newtown, Conn., to spend time with children there after the school shootings in December.
‘‘That’s just the kind of kid he is,’’ Ventura said. ‘‘It’s part of his upbringing, and I think his parents did a good job. . . . He’s a giver.’’
Adding an ‘A’
Outfielder Avisail Garcia and his wife, Anakarina, became parents to daughter Annarella.