Reed finding ways to stay loose during inactivity

CHICAGO -- Addison Reed has thrown three times in the last four games, after pitching just three times since July 21. That lack of activity becomes only natural for a closer on a team that lost 10 straight before the series against the Yankees.

But even without game chances for the right-hander, he finds a way to stay ready to pitch.

"I'm sure it will happen more times in my career where we are in a losing streak and I don't get to go out as much as I would like," Reed said. "[White Sox bullpen coach] Bobby [Thigpen], [White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper], they do a good job of keeping me fresh every few days. When they know I'm not going to get in or it doesn't look like it, they tell me to get up and throw off the mound and get some work in.

"I've never once this year or last year gone into a game and not been prepared. Every time I'm going out there, I'm prepared and ready to go. They do a good job with that. It's tough sometimes but it's part of the game and I'm fine with it."

Reed has come closer to mastering the much-needed closer's technique of having a short memory. Whether he pitches a clean inning or blows a save, Reed puts it in the past shortly after the end of the night.

The only one that got to him a bit of late was a blown save in Cleveland on July 31, which could have ended the White Sox losing streak at five.

"Maybe it could have got things going on our end on a positive note," Reed said. "We had the lead and I blew it. But I'm to the point now where if something happens, once the game is over, it's done with, and I'm ready to start preparing for next time I'm out there."