Count's Return?

by The Cheat on Sep 6, 2006 10:58 PM CDT in White Sox Game Recaps

Forgive me for not getting excited about the White Sox victory against the Royals castoff Wednesday night. Sure, it's a whole lot better than losing, but you're not going to get much praise out of me for doing something you're supposed to do. Channeling Chris Rock: You didn't get swept by the Red Sox? Congratu-fricken-lations! Julian Tavarez? Kason Gabbard? Kyle Snyder? You're supposed to beat those motherfronters! You wanna cookie?

* * * * *

I will take away one positive from Boston, however. The starting pitching was much, much better.

Javier Vazquez continued his run of decent or better starts, which just so happened to start when the calendar changed to August. I hope he goes on a Contreras-like run.
Jose Contreras looked very sharp tonight. His forkball was probably one of the best we've seen all season. What was really encouraging though, was his improved control. Even though he hasn't been walking people, Contreras' control within the strikezone has been pretty poor lately. He's been dropping down and leaving his fastball middle-in. That pitch was his biggest problem when he was struggling. Tonight, he was spotting his fastball on the outside corner, and working in and off the plate when he was inside.
Jon Garland pitched exactly how we've come to expect from Garland in the second half; pounding batters inside, and making it look easy.

22 innings pitched and just 3 earned runs for our starters is great sign, but they've got to keep it going. At the deadline, I said we were only going to go as far as our starters would take us, and the same holds true today. * * * * *

Ryan Sweeney's 0-6 with 2K and a DP performance dropped his average a staggering 445 points. I may be among Sweeney's biggest fans here, but I'm taking this one in stride. I actually enjoyed the fact that Ozzie's favorite prospect had a worse night at the plate than Brian Anderson has ever had. It's almost as if it validates Brian's struggles, and the win sure helped.

Unfortunately, I fear that Sweeney's tough night at the plate will mean more Podsednik in LF and more Mack in CF with little bearing on Anderson. It's no loss if Sweeney has an unproductive night at the plate while taking the place of an unproductive hitter, but it will be regrettable if he's taking the place of our center fielders down the stretch and hitting at the top of the order. If Sweeney is going to play, it should be in LF and at the bottom of the lineup.

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Comments

i posted this on the game thread

but it makes more sense here:

Ozzie on why BA isn't playing everyday:

"I need a better offense," Ozzie said. "Whoever hits, he's going to be in the lineup."

http://blogs.dailysouthtown.com/whalen/2006/09/my_prescription_revisited.html

Pods must be immune to such reasoning.

by larry on Sep 6, 2006 11:01 PM CDT reply actions

Not so fast

"Ryan Sweeney's 0-6 with 2K and a DP performance dropped his average a staggering 445 points. I may be among Sweeney's biggest fans here, but I'm taking this one in stride. I actually enjoyed the fact that Ozzie's favorite prospect had a worse night at the plate than Brian Anderson has ever had."

---------

April 14. The only point in Anderson's favor is that he went 0-for-5, not 0-for-6.

Like Sweeney, Anderson struck out twice and grounded into a double play. But somehow he managed to strand nine runners despite one less at-bat. Sweeney only left three on base.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Sep 6, 2006 11:12 PM CDT reply actions

I thought of that game

but it was still only 0-5 with a DP.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Sep 6, 2006 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions

What's the RBI?

Chopped liver?

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Sep 6, 2006 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Excitement

If you can't be excited by our beating "the Kansas City castoff" then be excited because Jose Contreras dominated the Red Sox for eight innings, and feel a little sentimental because of the memories it brought to have Hermanson out there in the ninth.

I won't blame you for not being excited, though, since the season IS lost, after all.

by Gregory Pratt @ South Side Sox on Sep 6, 2006 11:52 PM CDT reply actions

I have a great website for you, Greg

www.whitesoxinteractive.com

Don't swear, though; they no likey the 'f' word there.

by CWSKeith on Sep 7, 2006 12:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Blah blah

I really didn't see a need for your comment. All I said is, "Be happy that Contreras pitched well again, and appreciate Dustin's reappearance, especially since it didn't hurt." But, hey, whatever. Fuck you.

by Gregory Pratt @ South Side Sox on Sep 7, 2006 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions

keep it civil

there are many sites that will welcome your f words

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Sep 7, 2006 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey, we don't mind the "F" bombs

just not directed at us, right? Don't personalize it.

by winningugly on Sep 8, 2006 7:54 AM CDT up reply actions

exactly!

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Sep 8, 2006 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Hermanson

How did he look?

I was at the brewer game tonight, but I was in the concourse during the bases loaded Podsednik at bat. I told him Podsednik would watch every pitch until he struck out. I was glad I was wrong.

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Sep 7, 2006 12:06 AM CDT reply actions

3 ground balls, 1,2,3

Better than Riske.

by winningugly on Sep 7, 2006 6:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Ah, just relieved and happy..

that our boys won tonight, in spite of what has come before and what we all fear will come by month's end. For a few brief moments tonight, I savored the confident at-bats, JD's out-of-the-park homer, the return of the Contreras we've come to know and love, and the return (albeit brief) of Hermie. Sweet dreams, everyone.

by tiredfan06 on Sep 7, 2006 12:16 AM CDT reply actions

I dreamt last night...

that the Sox traded Crede, Fields, and a PTBNL (who turned out to be Pods) to the Marlins for Cabrera. I tried pinching myself, which didn't work, but then I reasoned that it must be a dream because there's no way these guys make it through waivers. Alas.

by thedpr on Sep 7, 2006 6:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Ozzie vs BA

Any idea what Guillen has against BA? As posted , he's out performing qutie a few hitters the last few months. If BA sits tonight then something is going on between them. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but Sweeney looked overmatched in at least 4 at bats and went 0-6 against AAA talent. That's Neifi Perez like.

by 19172005 on Sep 7, 2006 10:43 AM CDT reply actions

Fields, Young, Tracey.

I believe I heard that these three guys would be coming up once the Internation League playoffs are over. Why aren't they here now? Do AAA playoffs mean anything?

Nice game last night. The best sign for me last night was a Paul Konerko single. Any other park that is a huge homerun. Good to see him finding his swing again. And I really hope Hermie has a nice little stretch left in his arm.

by defensive indifference on Sep 7, 2006 3:04 PM CDT reply actions