Tag: White Sox

After watching a seven game winning streak homestand against the Royals & Twins it was time for me to chill. The White Sox had a three game series in Motown and then the Rox were coming to Chicago over the weekend. While Tade, Anthony, Mike, & Dan went to Detroit, I was going to be enjoying some family time celebrating my Grandmother’s 97th birthday and then spending the weekend in Waupaca. Well things didn’t go so well for the Southsiders as they got swept in Detroit and lost five of six overall.

Things were much better this past week with the Bucs coming in, I was ready to hop the Redline to the Cell. 16-5, 8-2, & 13-8 were the scores in the three mismatches. I felt pretty confident about the first game against hardthrowing righthander Ian Snell, but was a little anxious about the two soft throwing lefties opposing the Sox in the 2nd & 3rd games. Surprisingly a vodka lemonade before the games eased my anxiousness. The third game was closer than it should have been as Pablo Ozuna’s two out bases loaded error allowed the Bucs to jump out to a 6-0 lead. But the White Sox hitters were dialed in against the hapless Pirate pitchers(?).

There is a big asterisk with this Pittsburgh series, as the Pirates SUCK, not just a little bit, but alot! And it’s not like they’re young or anything, or hurt, they’re just BAD!

Speaking of BAD, the Crosstown Series at Wrigley Field is this weekend. This is a three game series between two first place teams that have been playing pretty good baseball. But it’s more important to many Chicago baseball fans, some think it’s like the World Series. It’s not really the World Series as Southside fans can look back to 2005 to what it’s like to win it all, while Northsiders need to put their longterm memory to the test, and remember all the way back to 1908 & the last time the jinxed Cubbies won it all. Oh no, is that a goat, a black cat, or Bartman? No, it’s just almost 100 years of bad baseball.

I’m off to Waupaca, hopefully my boys can win without me. I’ll be at the 2nd Crosstown Series next weekend at the Cell, Friday & Sunday, Saturday is the Lindskoog Family Reunion.

David Pinto from Baseball Musings opines that Paul Konerko’s injury may be a good thing for the White Sox since he was not hitting so well.  That Nick Swisher, who spelled him, went 3 for 3 yesterday seems to help his argument.

As an outsider looking in, my view is that Swish is getting hot just at the right moment.  Stats aside, Paulie has always been a favorite in the Cell.  Will his .215 average be missed?  Probably not as much but Sox fans are probably used to Konerko’s inconsistent stats. 

As for Swisher, an Ohio State alum, it almost seems like a new season for him.  By the end of May, he was hitting .199 with a slugging percentage of .312. 

Since then, he’s been a different man.  In June, he’s hit .327 with 4 homeruns scoring 16 times and driving in 11.  For the Sox’ sake, he better continue on this streak and forget the first two months.

I’ve always liked Nick Swisher from his days with Oakland.  He’s a good hitter who will hit for some power and isn’t afraid to take a walk.  I don’t know if he will ever be a superstar but he’s a solid player who plays hard.  If you have a chance to hear an interview with him, don’t miss it.  It’s usually pretty entertaining. 

One week ago I went to the Cell hoping the White Sox could beat Zack Greinke & the KC Royals. The White Sox weren’t hitting and Greinke has really turned his career around and is now one of the best starting pitchers in baseball. Ozzie Guillen was ripping his GM Kenny Williams a new one, after a Sun Times columnist wrote about the slumping Sox. Now that same columnist was saying Williams needed to fire Guillen, if he had any self respect.

Yesterday I went to the Cell for the seventh straight time in seven days. What a difference one week makes, seven days, seven wins in a row, and everything is working on the Southside of Chicago. Other than Ozzie’s tirade, he also made some changes to his batting order, those changes more than anything else seem to have done the trick. That, and, these professional hitters seem to have found their sweet spots. The batting order that is doing it is; 1) Cabrera SS, 2) Pierzynski C (moving A.J. here was pure genius), 3) Quentin LF, 4) Konerko 1B, 5) Thome DH, 6) Dye RF, 7) Swisher CF, 8) Crede 3B, 9) Ramirez 2B.

Williams has gone out on a limb building this baseball club. People thought he was goofy picking up A.J. (nothing but trouble) Pierzynski, swapping blue chip prospects for Quentin & Swisher, for resigning Dye, for not getting something for Crede before he walks, and for signing a 26 year old Cuban in Ramirez with no major league experience & thinking he could help now.

But besides the hitting, the pitching has been doing the trick, both starting & relief. Jose Contreras seems to be over his personal problems, including his divorce. Javier Vazquez has always had the stuff, but now he’s winning with that stuff. Gavin Floyd, where did we get him from? I don’t know how he’s getting them out, but it’s working! John Danks is a southpaw with a fastball, where is Brandon McCarthy? Rounding out the starting staff is Mark Buehrle, he’s been knocked around a little, but you know he’ll be there in the end.

Speaking of the end, Bobby Jenks was picked off the Angels scrap pile not long ago and is now one of the most consistent closers in the game. Scott Linebrink works the 8th inning, if there’s a better hold guy out there, I’d like to see him. The two leftys Matt Thornton & Boone Logan have been solid, and they can get righties out as well. Then there’s strikeout artist, Octavio Dotel, raise your hand if you thought he was through. Now Nick Masset has been shifted to short relief with the addition of Esteban Loaiza. The Sox even have MacDougal & Wassermann in the minors.

It looked like rain would cancel the makeup game between the Sox and Minnesota, but it couldn’t dampen this fan’s spirit as I headed to the Cell. Got there in plenty of time to visit with Dick & Bea about their Friday Ozzie Luncheon, say hi to Nancy Faust, and touch base with Caramel Corn Mike about his (along with Tade, Anthony, & Dan) trip to see the Sox Wednesday & Thursday in Detroit. I’d have gone, but will be celebrating my grandmother’s 97th birthday with the family instead. Wolfed down a pretzel & some vodka/lemonade and it was time to Play Ball!

With one out Chicago jumped to a 1-0 lead in the 2nd when Jim Thome scored from second after doubling on a Jermaine Dye single, it was bang-bang at the plate. But things seemed different as Joe Crede bounced into a doubleplay to end the inning after Nick Swisher walked. Crede not hitting a three run bomb? Would things be different today? Would the streak end? Who is this Perkins guy starting for the Twins?

I moved into the seating area, standing right behind Rob and his daughter Kim. I know better, never change anything, when on a streak. Top of the 4th John Danks walks Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau doubles him to 3rd, Michael Cuddyer singles home Mauer, with Morneau taking 3rd & Cuddyer taking 2nd when Quentin holds the ball & then throws it away, both score on a Jason Kubel double. Quickly I move back behind the chain, the scoring stops. Swisher hits a homer from the right side in the bottom of the inning to cut it to a 3-2 game, don’t tempt fate.

I’m standing where I should be, but Mauer rips a two out single to right, goes to 3rd on a Morneau single to left, Morneau takes 2nd on Quentin’s throw to 3rd, both score on Cuddyer’s double. Good Guys are down 5-2 and it’s not looking good.

Bottom of the 6th, Thome draws a one out walk, & Jesse Crain replaces Perkins, whoever he is, I’m glad he’s gone. Wishing Perkins was still in the game when Crain fans Dye on three pitches. Moments later it’s a 5-4 game after Swisher batting from the left side hits his 2nd home run of the game.

Then after singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, it was time to get to work. Orlando Cabrera greets new Twins pitcher Matt Guerrier with a double to left. I fully expected Alexei Ramirez to bunt the tying run to 3rd, but Alexei singles to right, making it 1st & 3rd, with nobody out. Quentin’s force play 6-4 scores Cabrera and ties the game at five. Pull hitter Paul Konerko hits an opposite field two run dinger to right that proves to be the difference, rather than trying to pull it and grounding into an inning ending DP. Matt Thornton, who’d relieved starter Danks in the top of the 7th was the winner, with Scott Linebrink working a pefect 8th, striking out two.

Then it was time for Big Bad Bobby Jenks! He’d be facing the top of the order, with Morneau to bat if anybody got on. I was standing in my usual spot, the same spot I was standing in when Bobby blew the save against KC, a game we went on to win in 15 innings. Carlos Gomez doubled, followed by an Alexi Casilla single, and it was time for me to sit my butt down with Mauer stepping in there. Just in time, as Mauer grounded back to Jenks, who looked Gomez back to 3rd, then fired to second, on to first for a doubleplay, with Gomez still at 3rd. When Morneau hit a harmless grounder on the first pitch the game was over and the streak was not, 7-5 White Sox, streak alive at seven games.

Kim & I left the game after saying goodbye to Nancy and wishing Mike a good time in Detroit. As we left the ballpark, it started raining, we were drenched by the time we met Rob with the car. Drenched, but happy, of course the rain stopped as we got into the car.

Nick Swisher ripped a three run one out 2nd inning shot to right off Kevin Slowey to put Gavin Floyd & the White Sox up 3-1, they never looked back.

In the bottom of the 3rd A.J. Pierzynski singled, Carlos Quentin doubled, Paul Konerko doubled home two, Jim Thome struckout, Jermaine Dye knocked in Konerko with a single, Dye stole 2nd (joining Konerko & Thome with one steal), Swisher swished, Joe Crede doubled & scored on base hit by Alexei Ramirez, Orlando Cabrera singled, and that brought up Pierzynski for his second 3rd inning at bat, he flied out to end the five run inning.

Dye & Swisher hit back-to-back doubles to open the 5th, Crede grounded a single to center to score Swisher, a line drive over the rightfield fence by Ramirez made it 12-1. Meanwhile Floyd had it on cruise control, striking out nine over seven innings, allowing two runs. Boone Logan & Esteban Loaiza pitched the final two innings, scoreless, final 12-2.

The highlight of the day, after waiting out a hour & a half rain delay, and besides the Good Guys 12-2 win, was getting a ball autographed by Minnie (should be in the Hall of Fame) Minoso, Nancy Faust, and a couple of players from the Negro Leagues, what a thrill!

The weather looked very iffy as Tina & I finished a bite of Thai on Western Avenue and boarded the L. About halfway to the Cell the skies opened up and it was pouring. By the time we got to the ballpark the rain had stopped. Asked & received the two worst seats available, headed inside, and positioned ourselves behind home plate. Tina & I used to work together at the phone company, she hasn’t been to a Sox game in about three years, since she went with me to a Friends Of Kevin Smith game. Kevin is DonS’s little brother.

The Twins leadoff batter Carlos Gomez gets a bunt basehit to Paul Konerko, and I’m thinking, oh no, here we go, and I’m wearing my Mark Buehrle teeshirt. I explain to Tina that Buehrle has a very good move to firstbase and might pick the runner off first. Mark gets Alexi Casilla & Mike Redmond to pop out, in between pop outs, he holds Gomez close, so that A.J. Pierzynski can throw Carlos out trying to steal.

I knew good things were going to happen when Paul Konerko tripled to center to leadoff the bottom of the 2nd. Moments later DH Jim Thome hit a flyball almost to the warning track in right, Michael Cuddyer threw a seed home, just a hair late, as the slow footed Konerko stepped on the plate, as Mike Redmond applied the tag. Nick Swisher, who seems to have found his stroke, doubled Jermaine Dye to 3rd, after Dye grounded a basehit thru the leftside of the infield, and up stepped Joe Crede. Crede, who hit two on Friday, didn’t disappoint the Saturday night crowd. They came to see fireworks, and fireworks they would see, as Joe knocked a three run bomb to left. Alexei Ramirez was doubled up on an Orlando Cabrera DP ball to close out the four run second.

The fans are treated to Dunken Donuts coffee when the Sox score in the 4th. Dye drew a one out walk, went to second on a Swisher basehit to right, Crede struckout. But Ramirez would not deny fans of free coffee as Alexei’s single to center scored Jermaine. Great hustle as Ramirez took 2nd on Gomez’ throw to 3rd. Orlando Cabrera tacked on two more with a ringing double out of the reach of Delmon Young in left. Twins starter Livan Hernandez would leave the (no) contest trailing by a touchdown, 7-0.

Delmon Young hit a meaningless two out homer to leftcenter, his 1st of the year, to put the Twins on the board, as the fans sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame with a 7-1 lead.

After pitching two innings of scoreless relief I knew Boof Bonser was in trouble when Thome & Brian Anderson singled to open the 8th. Swisher’s single drove home Thome, Nick taking 2nd on Cuddyer’s error. Joe Crede must’ve thought the fans wanted more fireworks, he gave them what they wanted, with another three run jack, this time off the leftfield fair pole, his fourth in two nights. Bonser is pulled when Ramirez gets a base knock. Matt Guerrier gets the next two hitters to close out the Sox scoring for the night at 11. The boys haven’t been doing bad since Ozzie’s tirade.

The Twins scored their second run of the night, this one off of Nick Masset in the 9th to make the final 11-2. We moved down a couple of rows to get a better view of the incredible postgame fireworks show, like the White Sox offense, it did not disappoint.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention friends at the game. There was a downpour which shutdown the game early on for 20+ minutes, but with Buehrle throwing strikes, and allowing only one run on seven hits over eight innings, we were out of there early. During the rain delay Rob stopped by with friend from work, and even provided us with a ride home after the fireworks show, Thanks Rob! Got a lovely hello & smile from Hot Chocolate Jackie, who was selling Crackerjacks & whips, she had to leave early as she wasn’t feeling well. Next Mayor, Caramel Corn Mike, gave us some delish mix of his finest, we bought some drinks to wash it down, and stay liquifide, Thanks Mike! Beer Vendor Bill asked, if I’d seen Carlos Zambrano’s 7th inning meltdown, in which he’d letup five runs? I asked, “Who does Zambrano play for?” Then sitting in front of us were Dog Groomer Lisa’s brothers, Tom & Dave, nice guys.

After Rob dropped Tina off by her car at ten, she was off to Elgin, she made it home in an hour, which wasn’t bad at all. Day game tomoorow, so I’ll have to say Good Nite!

Joe Crede came back just in time for the first game against the Minnesota Twins Friday night, hitting two home runs. Crede missed the last game against Kansas City after taking a hard grounder off his wrist in the middle game. Joe must be alright, understatement.

Javier Vazquez looked really sharp in the second inning, then got the first two men out in the 3rd, but then Carlos Gomez hit a homer, and the Twins scored two more times. So the Sox were in a 3-0 hole against Minnesota, what else is new? Beer vendor Bill stopped by to ask, “How come no matter how good the Sox are doing, the Twins always have their number?” Joe Crede got one run back in the bottom of the inning when he took starter Nick Blackburn over the wall.

Chicago looked poised for a big inning in the 4th when Carlos Quentin (I wrote him in for the All Star game on about 40 ballots before the game) got a leadoff single, Paul Konerko followed suit, just to have Jim Thome kill the rally with a run scoring doubleplay to cut the Twins lead to one.

A guy I used to be in a fantasy baseball league with named Matt stopped down to watch an inning with us. Matt had seats with friends in the club level, it was nice of him to stop by to say hi to an old friend, it probably didn’t hurt that we were standing behind the plate for our visit. The group behind the plate on this night included Al, his son Anthony (he got his splint off his fractured elbow), Dick & Bea’s dog (Frosty) groomer Lisa, her daughter Caitlin (celebrating her 18th birthday at the game), and of course Caramel Corn (soon to be Mayor) Mike was right there as well. There was a nice breeze keeping us cool, but Lisa was really hot, just the same, if you know what I mean.

Blackburn is the type of hurler Sox hitters usually have trouble with, a soft, junk ball thrower, and he did a good job earlier in the year against us, but that was before a line shot grazed his nose in his last start. The bottom of the 5th was a very good inning for the Pale Hose. Nick Swisher got a leadoff single to center, Joe Crede ripped a line drive single to left, bringing up Alexei Ramirez. Ramirez dropped down a perfect bunt and beat it out to load the bases with nobody out. In the top of the 5th Alexei got a standing ovation when he almost came down with a line drive single off the bat of Joe Mauer, it would have been an incredible catch, no harm as Justin Morneau struckout to end the inning and strand Mauer. Getting back to the bottom of the frame, Orlando Cabrera played Peggy-Move-Up singling home Swisher to tie the game at three. After a coach made visit to the mound, Blackburn served up a cookie to A.J. Pierzynski. A.J. knew what to do with it as he rocketed a double down the rightfield line plating two more. Carlos Quentin (before the game I wrote in his name 40 times for the All Star Game) greeted Juan Rincon by launching his 16th homer, a three run blast to right, putting Chicago up 8-3. Nice inning.

Javier Vazquez (9 hits & 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings) really didn’t have it and left the game with two on, one out in the 6th, and was replaced by Octavio Dotel. Dotel allowed a run scoring single before settling down, just in time with Mauer & Morneau looming on deck & in the hole. Joe Crede would get that run back in the bottom of the 6th with a leadoff home run to left, his 12th.

Lefty Matt Thornton got through the heart of the Twins order 1-2-3. Konerko ripped a leadoff single, but was quickly erased on a Thome doubleplay. Jermaine Dye followed the DP with a home run ball just out of the outstreached glove of leaping centerfielder Carlos Gomez, Dye’s 10th, making it 10-4 Good Guys.

After Scott Linebrink worked a scoreless 8th, Esteban Loaiza was called into the game to work the 9th. All the fans were still in the stands, even with a 10-4 lead, because there were fireworks after the game. Everyone was chanting, “LET’S GO WHITE SOX!” Bobby Jenks got up and started loosening up after Alexi Casilla hit a two run homer to make it 10-6, with Mauer & Morneau coming up. But Bobby was able to relax when Mauer grounded to Konerko and Jermaine Dye made a diving grab of Michael Cuddyer’s fly, with Morneau aboard, to end the game.

Every year I forget just how good the postgame fireworks is. This show is better than most 4th of July Celebrations, or at least the ones I’m used to watching in Waupaca, WI. I watched the entire show before heading to the L with 26,000+ happy White Sox fans.