Gavin Floyd Has The Tigers' Number

by The Cheat on Apr 12, 2008 4:32 PM CDT in Recaps

Gavin Floyd overcame some early-game shakiness to put together a nice outing Saturday, making a run at a no-hitter and eclipsing his 2007 win total in the process.

It looked like it was going to be a rough one for Floyd in the first inning. He walked The Unsinkable Clete Thomas after AJ Pierzynski dropped a 3-2 foul tip. Thomas would immediately steal second, and move into third on Placido Polanco's flyout. A nice pick and throw home from Joe Crede when Thomas went home on the contact play saved a run from blemishing Floyd's line. Carlos Quentin crashed into the outfield wall to catch a near-homer from Magglio Ordonez to close an eventful, unscored upon first.

The hard outs and walks would keep on coming through the first few innings. Nick Swisher made what is becoming his trademark defensive play, a basket catch on the warning track in the third, and Jermaine Dye had to run one down in the gap in the second. Floyd used double plays to wipe out walks in the third and fourth, so it's little wonder I hadn't realized he had a no-hitter working up to that point.

Floyd might not have known either.

He must have gotten a glimpse of the scoreboard as he took the mound in the fifth, because he started to put hitters away the rest of the game. There was one good drive by Pudge in the 5th, but other than that, the Tigers didn't mount much of anything against Floyd until Edgar Renteria's bloop single broke up the no-hitter in the 8th.

Floyd is now 3-0, with a 2.43 ERA in 37 innings against the Tigers. His two quality starts to begin the season give him 7 in his last 8 starts dating back to last season.

Scott Linebrink needed just two pitches to erase Renteria's single, recording the White Sox third double play turned of the game. Unofficially, as in I'm not sure this stat is 100% accurate, that gives them 19 on the year in 10 games. I tried querying Baseball-Reference's Play Index in every way I know how to find the Sox season record for DP's turned, but came up empty. Though I do agree with Larry, I remember it being from the 2000 team (189 is my guess). [Update by The Cheat, 04/12/08 6:21 PM CDT ]: Larry found the answer, 190 double plays turned in 2000.

Orlando Cabrera's solo homerun was the offense for most of game. But when Justin Verlander provided some free bases in the form of a walk and two HBPs in the 8th, the Sox demonstrated their renewed ability to break a game open. Pierzynski, Quentin, and Juan Uribe provided the two-out damage to turn a nail-biting pitcher's duel into a laugher, and the third time the Tigers have been shut out this season.

* * * * *

Jerry Owens is scheduled to begin his rehab stint tonight in Charlotte. I'm taking this as good news because Alexei Ramirez hasn't received a start since game 2 -- not that I'm complaining, but I'd rather see him getting regular work in Charlotte. And the quickest way to accomplish that feat is to have Owens taking his spot on the bench.

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Like you, I didn't realize the no-no 'till late.

And how about that backdoor curve? I hadn't seen that before, and hope it's part of his arsenal. Does anyone remember seeing it last year or in ST?
Fun game, obviously too early to extrapolate, but encouraging. Did I mention fun?

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 12, 2008 4:57 PM CDT 0 recs

He had it last year...

He was losing a lot of them today. Probably couldn't finish them off with the wet weather, and left them up as a consequence.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 12, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

thx, I just can't picture it.

maybe I missed one of his previous starts against Detroit? He's gotta have spectacular career stats against them, and suckitude against others. At least that's how it feels.
Once again, fun, exciting game.

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 12, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes

He was featuring that curve when he shut them down last year early august.

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 12, 2008 8:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Keeping the pressure on all game long...

There starting to look like 2005 when they were able to keep the pressure on all game long in close games. That's what I remember most about 2005 (pre-WS run) , not being the first one to blink in tight games.

Today, Detroit blinked in the 8th while the Sox never did.

Maybe "grinding" is determination + staying focused

by Dick Allen's batting helmet on Apr 12, 2008 5:12 PM CDT 0 recs

for some things, BR isn't that good

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/cws/history/season_records.jsp

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 12, 2008 5:58 PM CDT 0 recs

one off, damn

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 12, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

again, if people would just accept that i'm always right...

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 13, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

Cheat's comment about Owens and Ramirez

is a very good one. If Ramirez isn't going to get playing time in the bigs, he needs to be getting playing time somewhere. I have to believe that the Sox organization realizes this. I've always thought that Owens is a good 4th outfielder to have on the team to spot players ever so often and pinch run for some of the slower guys (we have one or two of them, right?) in late inning situations.

by palehose67 on Apr 12, 2008 6:08 PM CDT 0 recs

what does BA do then?

I thought he would spot start and bring late inning D. Or did you overstate the pinch runner's role?

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 12, 2008 6:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's a good question.

With an expanded roster, you would want both BA and Owens on your bench (rightly/lefty, defense/speed), but they only have so many spots. Perhaps the late inning D is more valuable, but if Ramirez is the odd man out (and he should be at this point), then you get to keep both BA and Owens. That leaves only Ozuna to cover three infield positions.

by palehose67 on Apr 13, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

do we really need that many infielders, though?

charlotte is a flight away. uribe can play three positions, too. to carry that type of bench for basically defensive replacement purposes, well, should we really expect two injuries to our infield in one game?

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 13, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Floyd

Great job on a miserable day for baseball. Looked like his curve and some sort of cut fast ball (nice late movement) really had the Tigers baffled. Good for him

Man, if the top of the rotation and the 2-3-4 hitters get cooking, this team just might be a nice surprise.

And...kudos to O Cab for taking one in the melon, shaking it off and taking his base like a pro.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 12, 2008 6:23 PM CDT 0 recs

Floyd

I guess the question is... is this sustainable? Obviously the sub-3 (?) ERA isn't going to last long, but -- has he been lucky or has he been 'better'? I'm having a tough time formulating my question here... he still seems to be hanging too many breaking balls, but when he breaks off a good one, I don't know if there's a better one (breaking ball) on our staff besides Jenks'. I'm certainly encouraged by the start, don't get me wrong, but I guess I'm looking for some more thoughts re: Floyd.

by CWSKeith on Apr 12, 2008 6:26 PM CDT 0 recs

more importantly...

how did the interview go? You may have mentioned it yesterday but I missed it.

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 12, 2008 6:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

I hope (think?) it went well

I haven't gotten a call back, but I did send a couple of the folks who work at the place I applied a 'thank you' email (I would've sent a note, but I couldn't find an address on their site -- "and that's why you always leave a note", my random Arrested Development reference for the day). I thought I acquitted myself reasonably well, and I think he may have even been a little impressed that I not only brought my resume, but also a reference sheet and a cover letter. I was certainly nervous, and I think that may have showed a little bit, but in any case it was a good experience.

I guess we'll see this week whether I hear back from them.

by CWSKeith on Apr 12, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

excellent, good for you.

great experience, many more to come.
I'm sure your Uncles WU and Bally are proud of you too .

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 12, 2008 7:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Keep us up to date re: progress, will you?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 12, 2008 9:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

reliving the glory days of youth through keith, eh?

Somebody's shoved a red-hot poker up our ass, and I want to know whose name is on the handle!

by Toonderstrook on Apr 12, 2008 9:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm the grandfather, You and WU are the uncles.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 13, 2008 7:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

Where

were you interviewing again?

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 12, 2008 8:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think a key to his success will lie in his ability (or lack thereof) to mix up his pitches

to keep hitters off-balance. I feel in the past he's too predictable in his pitch selection. Fastballs to one part of the plate until he gets ahead in the count with two strikes then he'll try snapping off the curveballs. His secondary pitches aren't half-bad. When he was in a groove I thought he was doing a nice job of mixing in all pitches nicely. He got Magglio on a perfectly located slider (DJ thought it was a change) then took down Jacque Jones on a change in a 3-2 count.

by 3E8 on Apr 12, 2008 6:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hmm...

I was actually thinking at times he was getting a little too 'breaking ball' happy. I particularly remember one of Pudge's at-bats where Floyd threw him nothing but breaking balls, and I kept thinking about how he was eventually going to hang one. He did, and Pudge almost got it out. Then again, perhaps the 'book' on Pudge is to 'offspeed' him to death.

That slider -- not a changeup, DJ -- to Magglio was nasty, though. Speaking of which, DJ is brutal at pitch recognition. That's not the first time DJ has called Floyd's slider a changeup and really, the way the pitch moves, I don't know how you can call it that -- it has a clear 11-to-5 (facing the pitcher) break. He's also been calling every one of Danks' non-offspeed pitches a cutter, which -- for some reason -- grates my nerves quite a bit.

by CWSKeith on Apr 12, 2008 7:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

floyd

the best thing about his two starts is all the first pitch strikes the guy is throwing up there.
i actually saw both games in person(well maybe not the home one, it watched most of it on tv from the bullpen bar) but either way i came away pretty impressed with the control. I honestly didnt expect from him this year.
I kept score at detroit, and he threw a first pitch strike to eight guys, went ball one but evened it up 1-1 to 4 guys, and fell behind 0-2 to three guys. thats not counting hitters with contact on the first pitch, which would make it 17 first pitch strikes(assuming the nine tiger hitters all swung at strikes).
factor in some margin for error there, too, but still, my point is hes getting it over this year.

im going to say hes been more 'better; than lucky.

el birdos 'gus' stole my handle!

by e-gus on Apr 13, 2008 1:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Coop ought to have a variation on an Eddie Stanky theme.

He should reward the pitcher for every 1st pitch strike (maybe X in a game and Coop makes a call to the Emperors Club VIP?).

Stanky used to give the pitchers something like $25 for each ground ball BIP. And YES, believe it or not, that was an incentive in the mid to late '60s.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on Apr 13, 2008 8:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

One more note not about the game

Anybody else notice who is sponsoring the 2008 White Sox' baseball-reference page? I just thought that was a bit interesting...

by CWSKeith on Apr 12, 2008 6:27 PM CDT 0 recs

I posted a fanshot soliciting donations for it

but 10 miunutes later I noticed it was sold.... It took a week for the price to get low enough for me to consider it.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 12, 2008 6:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Cheat

Next time a situation comes up where you need a few extra dollars to do something just pull the trigger and do it first and then ask us for a donation. For the endless entertainment you provide us here the least we can do is throw a few bucks into the collection plate now and then. Would have been very cool for SSS to sponsor the BR Sox page - instead, that Score garbage is scrawled all over it now. I'm sure your blurb would've been much more tasteful.

''It's a grinder-type attitude, energetic attitude, confident-type attitude, and if it grinds on some people, then I need to know who those people are so we can move them on''

by ChicagoPete on Apr 13, 2008 7:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree with the assertion that Ramirez

Will be sent down once Owens is healthy. It makes sense for the team that in tight ball games we can throw a slap hitter out there against the opponent and turn a single into a triple to manufacture a run. Esp with a guy like Cabrerra hitting in front of him. These are all good problems to have!

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 12, 2008 9:01 PM CDT 0 recs

In tight games

The opposing team will usually have a decent pitcher on the mound unless we are playing the Tigers so there won't be any manufactured triples coming from Jerry Owens.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 12, 2008 9:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

best kw move of all-time?

To think Williams got Floyd and half of Swisher for Garcia's carcass... It could turn out to be his best deal ever.

Obviously people are going to say it's still way too early to tell about Floyd. But I'm pretty much sold. 4 good pitches. Great movement. The ability to command his pitches, which will only improve over time and with increased success/confidence.

Also he's got an intangible pitcherness to him which I love. If anyone knows what I'm talking about.

by rhombusface on Apr 12, 2008 9:49 PM CDT 0 recs

why would people say it's still too early to tell?

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 12, 2008 9:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Especially considering what Freddy Garcia is doing these days...

by SSH2005 on Apr 13, 2008 12:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

doesn't really matter what he's doing now

matters what he didn't do last year.

somewhere in arizona, jerry owens silently weeps.

by larry on Apr 13, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

the garland kw thought he was trading has showed up his last 2 starts.

Somebody's shoved a red-hot poker up our ass, and I want to know whose name is on the handle!

by Toonderstrook on Apr 12, 2008 10:03 PM CDT 0 recs

Why the change in your tag line?

And, sure, I have no son, so Keith will do. (NOT!)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 12, 2008 10:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

I get bored and change it.

Somebody's shoved a red-hot poker up our ass, and I want to know whose name is on the handle!

by Toonderstrook on Apr 12, 2008 10:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Res. Dogs - nice

Looks like Detroit writers have short memories, too. larry (who?) has already posted good work on the efficacy of Pudge leading off (not a good idea).

Anything to increase the declining print sales. Good to see some other team in our division getting 2nd guessed at every turn.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 12, 2008 10:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

it is just beyond me that apparently liking baseball is enough of a qualification to get space on a major metropolitan (you're welcome, detroit...) area's news site.

Somebody's shoved a red-hot poker up our ass, and I want to know whose name is on the handle!

by Toonderstrook on Apr 12, 2008 10:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Worry not

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly on AMC. Precursors to your Pulp Fiction, R. Dogs etc. Watch and give homage.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 12, 2008 10:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

i've had g,b,u sig lines before too. i am well schooled.

Somebody's shoved a red-hot poker up our ass, and I want to know whose name is on the handle!

by Toonderstrook on Apr 12, 2008 11:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

PS Greg Norton signed by Mariners?

Who wanted to keep track of ex-Sox? Greg keeps turning up.

Why?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 12, 2008 10:08 PM CDT 0 recs

Cause he's totally awesome

Norton, you're the greatest!

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Apr 13, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

BTW, wasn't he on the Rays last week?

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Apr 13, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

The virus is everywhere.

From the Detroit Free Press's Tigers blogger, in an entry about how Dombrowski and Leyland are to blame for the slow start:

"Leyland also makes strange strategy decisions as well. His choices in lineup, starting pitchers, relievers, etc. is very suspect. He brought up Clete Thomas, who has played well so far. Although he chose to hit him leadoff, which in my mind was a slap in the face to Pudge Rodriguez and some of the other more deserving candidates. Leyland chose to go with a rookie over his established players in that spot. There is no question in my mind that it has been a source of tension on the team. You only have to look into Pudge Rodriguez's eyes to see that."

Um...maybe stop looking into Pudge's eyes and look at his on-base numbers, douchebag.

Somebody's shoved a red-hot poker up our ass, and I want to know whose name is on the handle!

by Toonderstrook on Apr 12, 2008 10:12 PM CDT 0 recs

DJ on Pudge

It's kind of funny to hear his frequent not-so-subtle illusions to Pudge losing a lot of weight -- given how I'm sure all baseball announcers have a strict gag order on steroid speak.

by rhombusface on Apr 12, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Who dat team in 1st place in the Central?

Just gotta hang on for another 152 games. We control our destiny!

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 12, 2008 10:29 PM CDT 0 recs

Love it, but

I'm still taking the under. Will enjoy the ride.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 12, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes...

At least it will be interesting for awhile.

Fun to see the Tigers in the basement.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on Apr 12, 2008 10:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

yep...

Floyd didn't even know he had a no-no going until the 5th

"I couldn't care less about the no-hitter," said Floyd, who realized he still had one in the fifth inning when he heard a fan say something about it. "I was just trying to throw strikes and get people out."

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 13, 2008 1:08 AM CDT 0 recs

cheat

has strongbad ever threatened you for your moniker?
also, i tried to link my old account to this one but something went screwy, i might need you to email me my password if thats at all possible.

el birdos 'gus' stole my handle!

by e-gus on Apr 13, 2008 1:32 AM CDT 0 recs

Oh, double plays turned...

I thought that larry was asking for how many double plays the Tigers have hit into.

The White Sox have turned 17 double plays so far.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 13, 2008 10:22 AM CDT 0 recs

favor

I'm not going to defend the music, because I don't like it myself, but he's my friend and he's in some sort of competition. If any of you have a minute, just click this link and vote for him.

Click to Vote

This probably doesn't belong here either, so feel free to delete it if I'm crossing a line.

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Apr 13, 2008 11:48 AM CDT 0 recs

you're a contributing author to this blog, fer crying out loud

YOU draw the line!

Somebody's shoved a red-hot poker up our ass, and I want to know whose name is on the handle!

by Toonderstrook on Apr 13, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

ok

by The Wizard on Apr 13, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

robothal on andruw

[MLBTR]:

Rosenthal calls Andruw Jones the "early candidate for worst free agent signing" noting that Jones is now batting 7th. Rosenthal goes so far as to say that the Dodgers' best outfield right now includes Juan Pierre and does not include Jones...The Dodgers are truly lucky to have Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp on the cheap right now ($840K combined), because Jones ($14.1M) and Pierre ($8M) are a lot of dead contract weight for one outfield.

by The Wizard on Apr 13, 2008 1:21 PM CDT 0 recs

I'm just glad KW didnt go after this guy

Numerous people on this board passionately advocated his signing . Those same people wanted us to also sign Mike Cameron. I wonder what they have to say now?

I'm a disgruntled Whitesox fan and I can't spell

by chisox on Apr 13, 2008 3:01 PM CDT up 0 recs