154

Say it ain't So(sa), Joe. Early in the season, White Sox pitchers stunk. Recently, Sox hitters have sucked. Last night, both of them were horrible in an 8-1 loss to Sammy Sosa's Texas Rangers. Jon Garland gave up five earned runs in seven innings, including a three-run homer to Sosa. Matt Thornton and Mike MacDougal allowed three more earned runs in one inning of relief. And the batters -- save Jim Thome, who hit a solo shot for his 475th career homer -- were pathetic, scratching out a meager four hits. The team batting average dropped to .215, which is precisely the lifetime batting average of Mario Mendoza, of Mendoza Line fame. By the end of the night, seven of the starters from yesterday's lineup were hitting below that figure: Erstad; Iguchi; Dye; Crede; A.J.; Mackowiak; and Cintron. Konerko wasn't doing much better at .220. And it's getting a little old to blame the weather. Tuesday's game time temperature was 48 degrees, not balmy but not frigid, and it didn't seem to affect Texas. Let's face it. Right now, the Sox just aren't playing good ball -- at the plate, in the field, or on the mound.

To make matters worse, Scottie Pods, one of the few players whohas been hitting well, is out for a couple of weeks with another injury. Boone Logan, the left-handed pitcher, was called up to replace him. Logan was the most effective of Sox hurlers last night (not a very high standard), throwing one inning of scoreless ball, but gave up two hits in the process.

The Update would say it's too early to panic, but there aren't any signs that this is going to turn around anytime soon. Right now the Magic Number is 154 versus the Indians (the division team with the fewest losses) and the Sox are in fourth place, trailing Detroit by three games. But this is the White Sox Magic Number Update, so we'll have to hope for the best for the Good Guys even if logic dictates otherwise. Go Sox!