White Sox puzzled over mounting errors

CHICAGO -- Casper Wells' dropped fly ball in Friday's loss at U.S. Cellular Field was more than an embarrassing ninth-inning moment for the White Sox.

It also was the club's 71st error of the season -- matching the number Chicago totaled all of last season. This year, however, miscue No. 71 came in game No. 100.

"It's perplexing," manager Robin Ventura said. "There's no other way to explain it."

Ventura isn't the only one confused. First baseman Paul Konerko doesn't get it, either -- mainly because the Sox returned many of the same players from a squad that committed the fewest errors in the Majors last season.

Instead, shortstop Alexei Ramirez has committed 17 errors this year compared to 12 a year ago; second baseman Gordon Beckham has already equaled his 2012 total (seven); and Adam Dunn, playing more first base than in years past, has made seven errors after committing only two last year. White Sox outfielders have combined for 14 errors this season after committing 12 all of last year.

It truly is a team-wide epidemic.

"I think it's just kind of gotten contagious," Konerko said. "Certainly didn't see it coming because we kind of had the same group of guys we had last year, where we were not only good, but we were one of the best. So it just shows you, baseball, you never know."