152

This is beyond ridiculous.  The White Sox bullpen wasted another sterling pitching performance by a starter -- this time John Danks, who limited the A's to one run on five hits over eight innings -- giving up three runs in the ninth inning and another three in the tenth.  Chris Sale, who shouldn't have even been in the game after toiling for two innings the night before, gave up the three runs that allowed Oakland to tie it up.  Matt Thornton, who at least was rested, gave up the three runs that allowed the A's to win it.  Thornton has now had four save opportunities this season and four blown saves.  Not exactly the kind of stats you want from your supposed "closer." 

If this keeps up, it's going to be a long and disappointing season.  I'm not a manager.  I don't play one on TV.  I didn't even sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.  But I'd give Sergio Santos the closer job until he shows he can't handle it.  The guy hasn't given up a run this season.  Hell, just giving up one per game would still qualify him over Sale and Thornton lately.  And if he doesn't work out, maybe Kenny can sign Kyra Sedgwick to fill the role.* 

The Indians' loss allowed the Sox to remain 1.0 games behind the Central Division leader and shaved a game off of the Magic Number, which now sits at 152.

* Pop culture reference: Kyra Sedgwick is the star of TNT's crime drama "The Closer." **

** I think that may have been the first footnote in Update history.