73
Going into the series with Tampa Bay, the White Sox were 35-10 when getting a Quality Start; 38-21 when hitting a home run; 34-14 when scoring first; 37-7 when outhitting the opponent; and 27-6 when reaching double digits in hits. Last night, the Sox did all of those things -- a sure formula for success -- and came away with a 4-3 win over the Rays before the fifth full-house (39,024) of the year.
Gavin Floyd improved to 8-6 by throwing seven innings of three-hit, three-run ball. Oddly, all three hits were home runs, including an inside-the-park job by Carl Crawford that Scott Podsednik apparently thought had been hit out of the park. The bullpen shut out the Rays, but made it exciting. Scott Linebrink gave up a hit and a walk in a third of an inning. Matt Thornton allowed a hit before ending the eighth with a big strikeout. And Bobby Jenks loaded the bases (two hits and a walk) before striking out Jason Bartlett (Jenks's third K of the inning) to end the game.
Paul Konerko supplied the home run, a three-run shot in the third and his 18th of the year. Pods led the hit parade, racking up three hits (and a walk), and scored in the first to give the Sox a lead. Scottie's three hits raised his average to .308. Even Carlos Quentin got in on the action. Q, who was just activated, singled to left in the fourth and appeared to move well on the bases and in the field, although he gave way to a late-inning defensive replacement. (To make room for Q, the Sox optioned Brian Anderson to Charlotte.) Remarkably, A.J. Pierzynski threw out two would-be base stealers in the game. It's been a rare occurrence for A.J. to throw out one runner; two is unheard of, but very welcome.
Detroit was idle, so the Sox climbed to within a game of the Tigers in the Central Division race. The Magic Number dropped to 73. Most important, the Sox got off to a good start on their 18-game death march. Hold on to your hats, though. Weak link Clayton Richard pitches tonight and it's been forever since he contributed a Quality Start. Better bring the bats, boys. Go Sox!
posted by Sherm Lollar at 7:40 AM
2 Comments:
Chuck,
I would like to add to comments to your Magic Number Update. The first is that Minnesota blew a 10-run lead to the A's which really is good news for us. Hope they do that a few more times. Secondly, about Brian Anderson, some people accuse Ozzie of being a racist by demoting Anderson but keeping Wise. I strongly disagree with that accusation. Brian has been given so many chances to make a permanent spot on the team but never quite proven himself. He is what some baseball people call a AAAA-player, good in the minors but not quite good enough for the majors. While Wise has a lower average he is a left-handed batter and much faster on the bases. Neither one has an impressive average, Brian's is .238 and Dewayne's is .196. Brian does have a good arm in center field but after 4 years on the roster he hasn't impressed me too much.
Just thought that I would share these thoughts with you.
Les
The Twins blowing a big lead is sweet. We almost blew the lead ourselves last night, but Jenks came through in the end. A win tonight and a Tiger loss will have the Sox in first place, baby. Go Sox!
Post a Comment
<< Home