Cabrera’s potent bat should enhance his market value
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s hard to believe Melky Cabrera has yet to tempt a contender in need of a professional bat. But no matter where he plays or how far out of the playoff race he is, the veteran outfielder just keeps on hitting.
Nine days before the trade deadline, Cabrera went 4- for- 4 with a home run, double and two singles, drove in two runs and even added an outfield assist in the White Sox’ 7- 2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. The 32- year- old Cabrera raised his batting average to .296 — 10 points higher than his career average.
Even Sox manager Rick Renteria said he’s surprised Cabrera is still here.
“Yeah, to be honest,” Renteria said. “He’s a premier major- league player who has been playing outstanding defense … and has been, for us, one of the two or three guys that has been timely hitting, driving in runs when we need them; putting together good at- bats when we need them; just playing the game. Yeah, I’m kind of surprised.”
The Sox ( 38- 56) have lost eight consecutive games and 11 out of 12. Cabrera gave them a 2- 0 lead with a homer and a double. But the Royals hit three home runs off reliever David Holmberg in a span of four batters — by Salvador Perez, Mike Moustakas and Brandon Moss — to take a 4- 2 lead.
Starter Mike Pelfrey allowed one run and two hits in five- plus innings. And Adam Engel made a running, reaching grab in the leftcenter gap to rob Eric Hosmer of extra bases.
“What a tremendous run,” Renteria said. “His jump was outstanding, and he still had to elevate to catch it. I’ve said since the beginning, [ Engel is] going to turn himself into a premier center fielder defensively.”
Rey of hope?
Right- hander Reynaldo Lopez took another step toward a promotion to the White Sox with another sharp outing Friday night — allowing one run on two hits, with one walk and six strikeouts in six innings vs. Scranton/ Wilkes Barre.
Lopez has a 1.71 ERA and 0.916 WHIP in his last five starts. But Renteria left no hint as to when.
“I know there are a lot of people who are very, very interested in seeing these young men here, especially as they continue to develop and show some nice outings,” Renteria said. “Time will take care of those things.”
Moncada update
Rookie second baseman Yoan Moncada was 0- for- 3 with a walk on a close 3- 2 pitch to fall to 1- for- 9 since being called up from Charlotte. But his plate discipline has been impressive. Moncada has fallen behind 0- 2 six times in 10 at- bats without striking out.
With two strikes on him through three games, Moncada has looked at 12 balls, fouled off seven pitches and put five in play, including his three- run triple Friday night.
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