Toby Hall Owns Barry Zito; Sox Back in First

by CrossCyed on May 18, 2008 12:51 AM CDT

Since The Cheat isn't in a recapping mood, I figured I'd dust off my journalistic skills once again and recap the game you probably already watched.

Mark Buehrle picked up his second win of the season by taking advantage of a mediocre (at best) Giants offense. DJ remarked early that it looked like Buehrle was taking longer in his delivery than usual. You can be the judge, as there was no frame of reference. Regardless, he wasn't subject to any real fielding mishaps, and, despite some at bats that went a little longer than they needed to, looked decent enough. His three walks were a combination of trying to get cute on the corners, as well as an ump with a tight zone, but his 14:5 groundball to flyball ratio was nice to see.

For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone would watch this Giants team. Barry Zito was godawful on the mound, being saved from a pounding due to the inability of the Sox to get runners in. A left on base total of 14 is pretty damn ugly, and that's all that saved Zito from having his ERA jump even higher.

Back to the Sox, Pablo Ozuna looked decent enough at the plate, but his play in the field stood out tonight. He flashed the leather and displayed a good arm at third base. As the only real backup third base option on the roster, it's nice to see that his glove is holding up.

Jermaine Dye collected three hits on the night, but also left five guys on base on a night when we needed them. He did come up with a web gem in the field, however, so hopefully he can keep up the hot play.

Toby Hall with three hits. I hope Zito is crying softly into his pillow right about now.

Last year's bullpen failures made watching the last 2.1 innings of this game a complete joy. Octavio Dotel came in with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, and completely worked over Randy Winn. Scott Linebrink cruised through the eighth, a Bengie Molina single notwithstanding, and Bobby Jenks looked nasty as ever, with a fastball that was dancing all over the zone. His fastball to strike out Rich Aurilia was simply silly, running in on the hands.

The Sox go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon, sending John Danks to the mound to continue his streak on unabashed awesomeness. San Francisco sends Matt Cain. Will we see the Sunday Getaway Lineup? Brian Anderson sure hopes so.

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Would this bum look good at 2B now?

Making his first start for the Orioles, Alex Cintron went 4-for-4 against the Nationals on Saturday.
We’re guessing he’ll make his second start on Sunday. Freddie Bynum is the Orioles’ starting shortstop for the moment, but it’d be no surprise to see Cintron overtake him.

And Ryan Sweeney is doing his best to make the Swisher trade look bad for the Sox…

Ryan Sweeney’s first homer as a member of the Athletics was a three-run shot off Tim Hudson on Saturday.
He also singled and walked. The A’s have faced quite a few lefties lately, so Sweeney has done a lot of sitting. However, he is 11-for-28 with eight walks this month. He might get a look in the leadoff spot before long.

Sweeney is now hitting .298 / .361 / .404 / .765 with 1 HR, 19 RBI, and 3 SB.

by SSH2005 on May 18, 2008 1:14 AM CDT 0 recs

No.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 18, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

I Enjoy Having a High Payroll

But boy do I like seeing the chances the A’s give young players. If you can hit for a high OBP in the minors they will give you a shot, and more often than not it works out for them because they are willing to take risks and have the patience to see them out.

I have no doubt that BA would be a solid everyday CF if he had been shown more patience and was able to play everday after the Sox were out of it last mid summer.

by madvillian on May 18, 2008 9:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

A defense of the Giants

They have some interesting pitchers. If I were a Giants fan I wouldn’t miss a minute of a Tim Lincecum start; Matt Cain is pretty good in his own right; Jonathan Sanchez is another interesting pitcher. Really, if Zito could just be average they could boast a pretty good starting staff.

That offense, though… cripes, when Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand are your two best hitters… It’s pretty absurd that guys like Dan Johnson and Ruben Gotay have hit waivers and the Giants haven’t put in their claim. Since they have very little in the way of prospects that are knocking on the door, Sabean should be looking for those mid-20s, AAAA-type players (Huber is another one who comes to mind, although he wasn’t ‘free’)—but that’s a whole ‘nother topic.

Also…

He made a nice throw, but he also booted a ball that the official scorer ridiculously ruled a hit. He regularly makes defensive gaffes and is still useless on this roster, as (I’m fairly certain) Uribe could play 3B if need be. Of course, it’d be a lot easier if Bourgeois got off to a hot start rather than hitting .218 and landing on the DL…

by CWSKeith on May 18, 2008 2:47 AM CDT 0 recs

Good point on Dan Johnson and Ruben Gotay...

If your team completely sucks, why would you not take a flier on those guys? Hell, we probably should have claimed Gotay.

This should be a sweep, no excuses. This Giants team is pathetic.

by SSH2005 on May 18, 2008 6:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agree re: Ozuna

He started 2 DP’s that were hit right at him – nice throws to 3rd, but anyone should’ve made the plays because they were routine. The non-hit that Keith refers to should’ve been at least knocked down by anyone with any semblance of range.

These are the games we lost all last year – ugly, missed opportunities, frustrating in watching countless times no one comes up clutch. At least we won this one (the Giants look like the first half-’07 Sox).

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 18, 2008 6:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think you're going to lose your money wu.

The Sox lose that game last year.

by Tdogg on May 18, 2008 7:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

That's what I said.

(These are the games we lost all last year )

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 18, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ramirez anyone?

Speaking of D…
He showed good range to his right, a strong, accurate arm (threw out a runner from his knees), and a good pivot at second.
He helped MB as much as Dye.

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 18, 2008 7:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

That "pivot at second"

was a rifle shot. The skinny little kid can really fire it.

by palehose67 on May 18, 2008 8:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ramirez

Also looked continually lost at the plate against a horrible Zito. He really needs AAA at bats, too bad he isn’t going to get them.

by madvillian on May 18, 2008 8:18 AM CDT 0 recs

agreed

if you strike out vs this version of Zito not once but twice, you clearly need some more seasoning.

Floyd for President
In Gavin We Trust

by e-gus on May 18, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

Good recap.

Dotel was huge last night—huge for the Buehrle, huge for that single win, huge for the road trip. Only 4 teams in the AL are .500 or better on the road this season, and the Sox are one of them. A sweep today would be nice before the day off.

by palehose67 on May 18, 2008 8:32 AM CDT 0 recs

Dotel now has 27 K's in 17.2 IP...

He is a probably our best high leverage reliever to use when we need a strikeout badly like last night. Ozzie seems to know this and is using him in this way, which is great to see. It’s also nice to see that the two relievers who got big money are actually earning it. Hopefully, Linebrink will start K’ing some more batters like he did last night. Maybe his ERA can get down to Cliff Lee territory.

by SSH2005 on May 18, 2008 8:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

13.75 strikeouts per 9 innings = filthy

by SSH2005 on May 18, 2008 8:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

For all the talk about the offense

It has and will remain about the team’s pitching (starting and bullpen). We can argue all day about where the offense will finish the middle or near the top but either way its probably enough with starters and the bullpen’s play. Dotel is downright sick now. Winn didnt have a chance last night. The next 2 weeks are critical.

Clev still cant hit worth a damn, Detroit has been well Detroit. No one is running away with this division.

And besides Floyd the FIP’s are right in line or better for most of the staff.

On another note just returned from a 7 day vacation at Disney World with the family. Kids had a ball and Im poor as hell right now…...

And I dont know how the hell the east coast watches anything on the west coast. BRUTAL from a time sense.

by Tdogg on May 18, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

Living on the East Coast

makes it difficult to watch games out west, even when I am paying $44.95/ month for the privilege, through Direct TV.

by floridajim on May 18, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up 0 recs

Are you happy with the DirectTV package?

God knows MLB.TV has been fucking the pooch lately. Their customer support line is manned by neanderthals who probably couldn’t get a job McDonalds so MLB.tv scooped them up.

I haven’t been able to watch for over a week because my subsription ran out and everytime i try and renew it says, “you have already purchased a similiar product, error, please call technical support”.

Well I called. Twice. Both times I was assured that I “should just wait a day or two and try again”. No fucking luck.

ALL I WANT TO DO IS PAY YOU! LET ME PAY YOU.

So yea, about to write an angry letter to their email support. Hopefully at least they hired folks that can read and write for that job.

by madvillian on May 18, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

I work 11-7.

Go to bed most nights around 4. Wouldn’t stand a chance making it through 10:05 starts if I worked a normal schedule and had longer than a three-minute commute to work.

That said, I’ll still be glad when they’re out of the West Coast.

Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on May 18, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

Shit what about 10:15 games?

Watched some of the NBA playoffs. Games were starting at 10:40 pm. Thats insane.

by Tdogg on May 18, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

be careful what you wish for

at least sox games don’t start for you before you leave work. or way before lunch if it’s an afternoon game. or finishing your morning coffee if it’s an east coast afternoon game.

by thatshortkid on May 18, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hop you spent lots of $

We need the tax revenue.

And staying up until 1AM Friday and 12 AM last night is tough.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 18, 2008 3:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not bad

for losing six in a row earlier on the road

Show mercy. I get to watch the Rangers.

by Tim from Texas on May 18, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

The irony is delicious...

by SSH2005 on May 18, 2008 8:55 AM CDT 0 recs

i like how this picture looks like someone just pushed wasserman down.

i wish someone had told me that sportsnation had replaced rationality with caps lock.

by MarketMaker on May 18, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pablo

Pablo has been mentioned above by several both good and bad but no one mentioned his baserunning blunder of being hit by a batted ball running from second to third. I swore I heard Ozie say “we covered that in spring training”.

by floridajim on May 18, 2008 9:27 AM CDT 0 recs

Such a stupid play

Pablo actually did well overall last night, but almost every game he’s in it seems he makes gaffes that leave you scratching your head. Getting hit by the ball is as bad as it gets, especially as he had plenty of time to get out of the way.

by madvillian on May 18, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

White Sox Imitations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFLDXVE7vA&feature=user

Funny Ivan Calderon.

by RN24 on May 18, 2008 10:56 AM CDT 0 recs

I laughed painfully at the Uribe

he got the drop down to the knee and everything

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on May 18, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Joey Cora was good as well

Good stuff. Thanks.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 18, 2008 3:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

For anyone with MLB.tv/Extra Innings and likes watching pitchers

Cliff Lee vs. Edison Volquez at 12:15 central. Matchup of the best AL pitcher against the best NL pitcher

by 3E8 on May 18, 2008 11:37 AM CDT 0 recs

ill take the over

especially in that band box.

Floyd for President
In Gavin We Trust

by e-gus on May 18, 2008 12:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

Brandon Webb changed his name to Volquez?

Show mercy. I get to watch the Rangers.

by Tim from Texas on May 18, 2008 12:03 PM CDT 0 recs

beaned again

oakland returns damaged goods.

http://birmingham.barons.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=247&stn=true&sid=t247

by larry on May 18, 2008 12:19 PM CDT 0 recs

francisco hernandez?

"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It's all in the game though, right? "

by onlysoxfaninboston on May 18, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

he's a catcher

by larry on May 18, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

where you going with this, white flag?

Floyd for President
In Gavin We Trust

by e-gus on May 18, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

nowhere. it's a minor news note delivered with minor sarcasm.

by larry on May 18, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

btw, meant fernando

"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It's all in the game though, right? "

by onlysoxfaninboston on May 18, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

the damaged goods is good in his return

http://birmingham.barons.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_05_18_biraax_jaxaax_1&did=t247&sid=t247

by larry on May 18, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

perhaps zito can ease the pain of having hall get three hits off of him

by swimming in his pool of money ala uncle scrooge in duck tales.

i wish someone had told me that sportsnation had replaced rationality with caps lock.

by MarketMaker on May 18, 2008 2:01 PM CDT 0 recs

I was thinking more of Tony Montana

an a mountain of coke.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 18, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

you always do

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 18, 2008 9:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

another rotation realignment; coop is so pissed

This marks the last time Mark Buehrle and John Danks will pitch in consecutive games — for now.
Buehrle will remain on his five-day schedule and pitch Thursday night at home against the Cleveland Indians. Gavin Floyd will get an extended break and not pitch again until Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels, followed by Danks, who is starting Sunday’s finale here against Matt Cain.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/cs-080517-joe-crede-chicago-white-sox,1,5705067.story

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 18, 2008 2:15 PM CDT 0 recs

swish found as a new emergency pitcher

Batting-practice pitcher Kevin Hickey could pitch in an emergency if needed, Nick Swisher says.
“I’m not going to lie. I truly believe Hickey still has the arm to do well,” Swisher said. “I’m not saying he’s going to go out there and be the greatest.

“I’ve gotten to know him. It’s fun because we do a lot of work, and he has a live arm. He’s the best left-handed batting-practice pitcher I’ve seen. He gets you ready to go.”

Hickey, 52, last pitched in 1991 with Baltimore. He had a 3.91 ERA over parts of six seasons with the Sox and the Orioles.

wasn’t hickey pitching in the fantasy sox camp wu?

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 18, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up 0 recs