Padilla's latest incident not lost on Sox

The White Sox are no longer alone in labeling Texas Rangerspitcher Vicente Padilla a "headhunter."

That was on display again Tuesday, when Padilla threw at LosAngeles Angels hitters Vladimir Guerrero and Juan Rivera. That led tomore target practice by pitchers and a bench-clearing brawl betweenthe teams Wednesday.

It was Padilla who hit Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski twice during agame June 14 in Arlington, Texas, after taking exception to commentscoming from the Sox' dugout during a game June 3 at U.S. CellularField.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he sees Padilla as a pitcher who istaking advantage of no longer having to bat, like he did in theNational League with the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I guarantee you if it was in the National League and people hitpeople like that, you know you're going to get hurt," Guillen said."But in that situation, believe me, you hit one guy in the rightspot, he can be gone for the rest of the season or his career. That'swhat I worry about."

While Guillen is not a huge fan of Rangers manager Buck Showalter,he said he doesn't think Showalter will put up with Padilla's actmuch longer.

"The way Showalter is, the kind of man he is, I don't think Bucklikes those kinds of players," Guillen said. "I think it's somethingthat we know what [Padilla] is doing."

GOOD TIMING: Since being paired with catcher Sandy Alomar Jr.,left-hander Mark Buehrle is 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in four starts. Inhis five starts before Alomar was reacquired in a deadline deal,Buehrle was 0-5 with a 12.93 ERA.

Alomar said the numbers had more to do with luck than with hispresence.

"He's been using both sides of the plate, going up and down,"Alomar said. "He just seems to have gained some confidence back. Ithink I just happened to come here at the right time. These guys areWorld Series champions, so he did it last year without me."

THE NATURAL: Sox prospect Josh Fields continued his torrid pace atClass AAA Charlotte, going 2-for-3 with a double and his 18th homerun Wednesday.

Fields, a third baseman who has been seeing some time in theoutfield, is hitting .312 with 66 RBI. Guillen, however, said helikely won't call him up until the Knights finish their playoff run.

jcowley@suntimes.com