Levine: Adam Eaton's Bad Play Shows Frustration Spilling Over

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The last inning of the White Sox's 17-6 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday evening had the extra added attraction of Chicago outfielder Adam Eaton trying to stretch a single into a double for no particular reason. He was thrown out easily at second base.

It raised the obvious question of, why? Did Eaton just want to try and get a game over that was embarrassing to all?

"It was not the end of the world," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "It was not the smartest play either. He knew it right when he did it. It wasn't like he was tying up the game any time soon. Part of his thing is his aggressiveness and the way he plays. He got out in front of what is smart play."

It could be argued that two days of bad baseball by the team and the realization that the White Sox's slim chance of a playoff berth had gone by the boards was a contributing factor for Eaton's blunder. His manager didn't think that was the case.

"That was not it," Ventura said. "I know that is not it. It's the way he plays and aggressiveness, like running into fences when you don't have to. For him, he knows he messed up. It was not a good play."

Eaton has a world of talent and is a friendly, open young man. He has the ability to be a game-changer, as identified by the team signing him to a five-year $23.5-million contract. Wanting to be a stand-up guy and leader is admirable. Leaders, however, can never be self-anointed.

Eaton admitted his mistake before the game Wednesday. He was annoyed by the line of questioning by a group of media members.

"I don't know why we are focusing on this," Eaton said. "I get that it's a story for you guys. I goofed up, it's in the past. We are going to move forward -- thank you."

A season of below-average play has certainly boiled over for the White Sox. Pointing a finger at Eaton as the problem wouldn't be correct. Eaton's still a player in development who is young and improving.

Yet, the 2015 season can't end soon enough for this group, which has underachieved.

"We have done it where we have talked to the group all together," Ventura said when analyzing this ugly period of play. "I find it very effective to just get right to the person. We have done it both ways. There have been some rough games. The physical part is one thing, the mental stuff becomes another. You always want to make sure you get to that."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.