A Marathon ends the first half

by The Cheat on Jul 10, 2006 2:02 AM CDT in White Sox News

The 2005 White Sox finished the first half with a whimper, getting swept at home by the Oakland A's. The series was marked by lack of fundamentals, specifically Willie Harris failing to get a bunt down, a poor pitching performance by Mark Buehrle, and an extra inning comeback that wasn't. They finished the first half with 57 wins.

The 2006 White Sox appeared to be paralleling that storyline this weekend, this time with a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox. This time, however, Jermaine Dye and the bullpen wouldn't let them finish on a down note, propelling the White Sox to a late-inning victory and... their 57th win.

Jose Contreras was just two strikes away from losing his 'winning streak' -- which probably should be called a 'not-losing' streak since he hasn't really been winning lately, just not-losing -- but Jermaine Dye's HR off the nearly impossible to score off of Jonathan Papelbon saved the day. Dye would save the Sox and Bobby Jenks again in the 11th with a run scoring double that also set up the Sox with a great chance to win it.

Many of you were questioning Ozzie Guillen's 'overmanaging' in the gamethread, specifically about lifting Konerko and Thome. But I thought it should be pointed out that this game was a contest of who would blink first, which manager would be the first to turn to his totally unreliable 6th man in the pen. Ozzie overmanaged using starter Javier Vazquez early in extras with 3 members of his pen still available, allowing him to hold off on waving white flag Politte any earlier than he had to. The White Sox don't win this game if Cliff Politte is asked to get any more than three outs.

The hero from the bullpen has to be Brandon McCarthy. He pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless baseball, using his changeup effectively to keep the Red Sox hitters off balance. Let's hope he keeps this outing in his memory banks, and uses that changeup for the entire second half, not just every few outings like he did in the first.

When Tadahito Iguchi finally hit the game-winning single in the 19th, my initial reaction wasn't excitement; it was relief. If they played for over 6 hours only to record another loss and a sweep, I can only imagine the comments I would have to wade through for the next 4 days.

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Comments

I was at the game...

...and after 19 innings the 39,000+ crowd was shaved down to - by my guess - 7 to 10,000. I commented to my friend somewhere around the 17th inning that if the Sox won it would be rather anti-climatic and the guy sitting behind us chimed in with your sentiments exactly, "yeah, it'll just be a relief".

by brookswashere on Jul 10, 2006 9:37 AM CDT reply actions

Definitely not 7-10K

I'm old enough to remember what the stadium looked like when there was seven thousand people in the stands. That wasn't it. I was actually surprised by the amount of people that stayed. I'd have to say that there were at least 13-15K left when the Tadahito got his game-winning basehit.

by CWSKeith on Jul 10, 2006 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

most of the smart ones

moved to the right field/first base side of the park rather than bake in the sun.

I escaped to the stadium club where they have A/C and beer is sold much later than the 7th inning. I would guess there were 12,000 in the park at the end.

I'd describe the feeling as the same as game three of the World Series. 'Just somebody please end this!'

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Jul 10, 2006 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Bmac

is frustratingly inconsistent out of the pen. i wonder if the reason he doesn't feature the change consistently has something to do with him requiring a longer warmup to get the feel of his pitches, notably the change; obviously, working out of the pen he doesn't get to do the kind of warmup he did as a starter (long toss, stretching routine, number of pitches, etc.).

by larry on Jul 10, 2006 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

Maybe

That's as good a theory as any but I have no idea if its correct. I have this irrational confidence that McCarthy will be better in the rotation than in the bullpen. That's probably just wishful thinking but I believe it nonetheless.

by Landfill on Jul 10, 2006 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Interesting theory

BMac mentioned after yesterday's game that he warmed up 6 times on Saturday and Sunday before coming in to pitch. Maybe all that warming up helped him pitch more effectively.

by Ryno on Jul 10, 2006 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Either way,

look at the donut and not the hole - he pitched 4.1 innings of great ball, without which we would've probably lost. So be joyous and smile - I'm sure we'll have an opportunity to get frustrated for a good reason later. He is, after all, 22. (I once had occasion to speak with Kellen Winslow, Sr., after his 20 year old son went ass over teakettle on his motorcycle, losing an NFL season, some blood, a lot of face, and about $5MM in bonus $. As he told me, "He's 20 - what were YOU doing when you were his age?" Shut me right up. It's what's lovely about kids and sports - always a thrill a minute.)

by winningugly on Jul 10, 2006 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

That's what I meant when I siad that BMac is not a

releiver; my sarcasm reflected the fact that he has a hard time being effective when coming in without preparation and perhaps, a longer warmup.

by southsidefan on Jul 10, 2006 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

My comment

was directed more toward Lar-bear. Goota take positives when we can get them, and yesterday, as exhausting as it was, turned out fine. Enjoy the break!

by winningugly on Jul 10, 2006 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

i didn't mean it to be a negative

i'm guessing he may still be tweaking how he warms up for his relief appearances; whatever he did to get warm for yesterday's appearance may be exactly what he needs to do. if more warm-up tosses are a good idea - apparently doing so didn't tire him out because he pitched 4+ - then have him do that.

by larry on Jul 10, 2006 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

BA Watch

Since 6/12:

.264 BA / .339 OBP / .396 SLUG / .735 OPS

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Jul 10, 2006 12:03 PM CDT reply actions

Oops, that's reliever.

by southsidefan on Jul 10, 2006 12:43 PM CDT reply actions

our baserunning in the 11 was absolutely horrible

if AJ's slide hadn't broken the DP, we'd lost ...

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Jul 10, 2006 12:54 PM CDT reply actions

Well, it sounds like AJ

ran the bases well.

by winningugly on Jul 10, 2006 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Kinda

It was a great slide, but he should've been called for interference considering he didn't make an effort towards the base with his hands -- mainly because he was using his hands on Gonzalez. He was pretty far out of the baseline, and the hands should've given him away.

Still was a great play, but it could've blown up in his face. I'm surprised Gonzalez/Loretta/Francona said nothing.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jul 10, 2006 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

This was mentioned on another blog...

I have looked at the replay on MLB.com and I can't really see any interference. It looked like a good slide to me.

by DeeDubs24 on Jul 10, 2006 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't get me wrong

It was a good takeout slide, and something A.J. had to do. No points for being timid in that situation.

But I believe MLB rules are that you have to make some effort towards the bag. If you're sliding feet first into the bag, you can put your hands up to protect your face. But if you're sliding off the bag, you have to make an effort towards the base to be considered in the baseline. A.J. put his hands towards Gonzalez instead, so the Red Sox would've had a good case.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Jul 10, 2006 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

interference

I didn't notice it either until Sportscenter showed it from a different angle and AJ clearly was
a) out of the baseline
b) had his hands up over his head (may have even been touching Gonzalez).

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Jul 10, 2006 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

ozzie

[Phil Rogers]

"That was like a Little League game right there," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "[Gload] was supposed to tag up; [Dye] was supposed to be tagging. If the ball gets caught, you can still get men over."

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Jul 10, 2006 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Blame goes to Cora as well

I know big leaguers should know what to do in a situation like that, but Joey Cora was waving both Gload and Dye home as soon as he saw the ball was a line drive. He thought the ball was dropping too. Dye probably had his eye on Cora, while Gload looked confused as hell. It looked like he wanted to tag, but saw Joey waving, and just kept going back-and-forth.

by CWSKeith on Jul 10, 2006 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I was there...

until the 9th when they were losing 5-3. Indeed, I was foolish for leaving, but 7 beers and a really hot sun meant it was probably time to pack it in anyway. I certainly would have never come close to lasting 19 innings. God bless those who hung in there. In fact, I drove all the way out to Batavia, had dinner at Steak-n-Shake (Triple Steak Burger and a Banana Shake), and still got home to watch the last 3 innings.

Observations:

JD has got to be one of the most clutch players of all time. Great bat, yes, but also made a nice catch in whatever late inning it was while he was probably dog tired.
BMac just keeps getting better. I hope any trade talks go away pronto.
Jose wasn't great...but still pitched pretty darn good.
BA will be fine
"Red Sox Nation" gets pretty quiet when their star closer gets hit pretty good...hah!
The White Sox really need to work on bunting
Nice to go into the break on a high note with the Tiggers losing to...Seattle...hah!
My 3rd least favorite team, The Yank-mees, need to be afraid...very afraid.

Looking forward to the 2nd half and an exciting playoff run!

by tailgater on Jul 10, 2006 12:55 PM CDT reply actions

[Josh] Fields flaunts bat in Futures Game

White Sox top prospect may have position switch in future

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Jul 10, 2006 1:01 PM CDT reply actions

to add more fuel for all you scared of the tigers

humberto sanchez was pretty good in that game, as well. he's 5-1 with a nice 2.15 at AAA Toledo. if one of their starters falters, this guy will step in.

by larry on Jul 10, 2006 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Rogers to start for AL squad

MLB.com

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Jul 10, 2006 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

I assume this means JD won't be starting at RF

All-Star Game starting lineups

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Jul 10, 2006 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

what...?

what the hell is edgar renteria doing hitting 5th for the NL?

by kaskomm09 on Jul 10, 2006 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't carp -

remember, we get home field advantage in the WS when we win this game. Who cares what the NL does, anyway? Isn't that the red-haired stepchild league these days?

by winningugly on Jul 10, 2006 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions

ASG

Who cares how much PT the Sox players get at the ASG? God forbid someone gets an injury at an exhibition game. Yes, it's an exhibition game...does anyone doubt the AL will win regardless of who represents the league? The face time is plenty...letting the world know that the White Sox are a powerhouse to be reckoned with. Let Kenny Rogers pitch until his arm falls off for all I care.

by tailgater on Jul 10, 2006 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Like New Year's Eve - amateur night. We are the defending champs - nice to be able to wave to the crowd in front of the best players in baseball (and a nice world-wide TV audience) but after the ego stroke, what is to be gained?

Enjoy the break! Have a beer and relax - it's going to be an interesting 2nd 1/2.

by winningugly on Jul 10, 2006 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

The Sox had to win it in the 19th.

If they didn't Cliff was going to have to pitch another inning. And we all know how well that has been.

But thankfully they pulled it out. This was a gut check win. They showed that they will fight to the last out. I am thankful that they tied it up after Gload's gaff.

by Boski93 on Jul 10, 2006 5:02 PM CDT reply actions