146

Tough weekend for the White Sox. On Friday, Gavin Floyd disintegrated on the mound, giving up six runs (five of them earned) on nine hits and five walks in only 4.1 innings pitched. Recent call-up Jack Egbert was worse, also allowing six runs (on seven hits and a walk) but in only 1.2 innings. Clayton Richard looked like an All-Star by comparison, permitting only two runs on five hits and one free pass in 3.0 innings. But even being perfect might not have helped, as the Sox bats never got started. The team managed only six hits while being shut out by Toronto, 14-0. As Ozzie said in his post-game presser, "We stunk today."

Saturday was the high point of the series. Mark Buehrle had another Quality-Plus start, the bullpen was perfect, and the bats came alive in a 10-2 win. The Blue Jays were able to score only two off of Buehrle in 6.0 innings on six hits and three walks. Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink kept their ERAs at 0.00 and Matt Thornton returned to form, each blanking Toronto for an inning. The big blow for the offense came courtesy of the Cuban Missile, who hit his first home run of the year and the fifth Grand Salami of his young career to snap out of season-long slump (9 for 54 going into the game) at least for a game. The only downside to the day was Chris Getz fracturing the tip of his right middle finger. That not only makes it hard to communicate, but has sidelined the .340 average leadoff man, who is listed as day-to-day. Brent Lillibridge, who is batting .161 took over the top spot in the order, which is a recipe for disaster.

Sunday was a 4-3 loss, but a moral victory -- if there is such a thing -- for Jose Contreras. Jose dueled Roy Halladay to a standstill for seven innings, being touched for only three runs, eight hits, and a walk. He had much better control, throwing 63 of his 96 pitches for strikes, a big improvement over past outings. Unfortunately, Linebrink picked a really bad time to finally give up a run, which proved to be the game-winner.

So that marks the second series loss in a row to a team with a bird nickname -- Blue Jays and Orioles. Good thing the Sox aren't playing the Cardinals next. After the weekend, the 9-9 Sox are tied for second place with the Royals, a game back of the Tigers. The Magic Number is 146. We need one of those hot streaks the Sox are known for. Go Sox!