A Royal Comeback
There's no such thing as a routine victory for the White Sox anymore, or at least it seems that way. For the second straight night, the Sox pulled out a victory over the Royals in a game it looked like they had no business winning.
Javier Vazquez followed up Jose Contreras poor start with a stinker of his own, allowing 11 hits and 6 runs before being pulled with 2 outs in the 6th. He allowed the first 3 batters of the night to reach base safely, and had the Sox in a 1-0 hole before he retired a batter. That hole grew to 5-0 before the Sox got their first hit in the 4th inning.
I'm not sure what's wrong with Vazquez. I assume there is something mechanically wrong (or at least that's my hope), because he's recorded a quality start in just one of his last 7 starts.
Carlos Quentin had the Sox 2nd and 3rd hits of the night with two 2-runs homers to bring put them within a run after the 6th. From there it would turn into a battle of bullpens. And even though the Sox are a man down, that's still advantage Sox.
Things really got interesting in the 8th. With the Sox still trailing by a run, Jermaine Dye at the plate, and Quentin and Orland Cabrera occupying 1st and 2nd, respectively, Cabrera stole 3rd easily. One Star Sudoku easy. Dye, perhaps distracted by Cabrera's ridiculously large jump, swung at what should have been ball one, and glared down to third base. He struck out one pitch later and again stared down Cabrera at 3rd as he walked to the dugout.
Jim Thome picked up a single through the shift to drive in OC, tie the game, and pick up JD. When OC returned to the dugout, however, he didn't receive a warm welcome from everyone. I made sure to watch as OC entered the dugout because I could already sense something brewing, but I never saw JD, who might have been up the tunnel in the clubhouse at the time. At some point during the next at-bat, Comcast's cameras caught OC yelling from one end of the dugout, and being physically restrained by Dewayne Wise and Jose Contreras. A moment later Jermaine Dye walks into screen, exchanging words and pantomiming a swing or a slide, or something, anyway.
I don't really understand what JD was complaining about. Sure, he may have been distracted by Cabrera's steal. Sure, he was in an 0-2 hole. But the tying run was only 90 feet away, and he had a chance to drive that run in without a hit. In fact, the value of a runner on 3rd base shown through immediately following the confrontation, as Ramon Ramirez balked in the eventual game-winning run with Paul Konerko (0-4, 4K) at the plate.
The Jenks-less Sox bullpen rebounded from an off-night with a stellar 3.1 innings of 2-hit baseball. Adam Russell, who has pitched in a grand total of 3 high-leverage situations this season, picked up his third victory*, while Octavio Dotel got an opportunity to pick up his first save of the year. Dotel needed just 10 pitches to strike out the side, as the Sox escaped with their 7th straight victory over Kansas City.
They're not all pretty, but they all look the same once they end up in the 'W' column.
* Russell needs to pitch more. He's an automatic victory, or the opposite of complete game by a Sox starting pitcher.
0 recs |
274
comments
Read Related
Comments
It won't matter at all in the long run, but Dye is in teh wrong here
I’m sure he was just frustrated as his slump continued, but STFU. Cabrera stealing third caused him to swing a pitch that went about 58 feet? GMAFB.
Oh well, families fight, winning cures all. No worries. I’m more worried about more shit from Javier and Kong. Both those guys could provide a huge boost down teh stretch if they get going. Or they could continue to be a huge anchor—score one for the latter tonight.
Q won this ballgame for the Sox. That’s about 5 times this year he’s single handedly won it for them. If he doesn’t hit those two bombs this is an ugly loss. Great props to everyoen who contributed though.
by madvillian on Jul 9, 2008 11:01 PM CDT 0 recs
speculation on the spat
I think the issue may be Dye (and probably others) still view Cabrera as a stat-padding rental. I remember a few instances when Cabrera has tried to steal third when the situation didn’t call for it or another time he didn’t get in front of a sharply hit ball (for fear he’d be charged with an error). A couple of months ago, the Sox were down by 4 or 5, and he got caught stealing third.
It does seem very strange that Dye would object to Cabrera getting himself to 3rd with less than 2 outs, but if it was viewed by Dye as another incident in a chain of selfish moves, then it may make a little more sense.
Again, this is just speculation based on watching Cabrera’s play this year.
by rhombusface on
Jul 9, 2008 11:17 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I hated OCab the minute the trade was announced
But he has won me over. He’s been money this year defensively. He has some of the best hands I’ve seen—he rarely boots a ball and makes the in between hops look easy. His range and arm aren’t that great, but his hands and quick release make up for it.
Plus he’ll net a sandwich pick when he leaves in the offseason.
Cabrera might be a stat whore, but such is the essence of baseball. Stat whores help the team in Baseball, which some would say is the beauty of it.
by madvillian on
Jul 9, 2008 11:22 PM CDT
up
0 recs
dude, sandwich pick and a first rounder
or two sandwiches. it’s better than you think.
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 9, 2008 11:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I like sandwiches
Now I am hungry, thanks
Bloggin'
http://bierjournal.blogspot.com/
by Six Pack on
Jul 10, 2008 7:53 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I think
it may have been more with Dye getting frustrated in the moment and the fact that he’s getting cold again. I already saw on an interview where he said they were cool and the usual cliches about being brothers and good teams getting into spats every once in a while, blah, blah. I personally have no problem with it, in fact I kind of like it, especially when they’re winning. That won’t stop certain media members with running with it for a couple days.
I would see your point about padding stats if it wasn’t such a big moment in the game. He also gave Dye a shot to pad his stats if he could the bat on the ball. Cabrera is definitely growing on me too.
by El Duque's Raft on
Jul 9, 2008 11:25 PM CDT
up
0 recs
He's been far more timely of late.
And there’s no changing his crap approach (he’s in the “RHB swings at too many bad pitches and takes too many good”) , so I’m learning to live with it. Seems like he’s taking more walks lately anyway.
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 9, 2008 11:28 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Maybe, but he could have at least gotten pissed when he was actually right.
I’m sure Cabrera has a green light and I’m sure JD has had baserunners steal in front of him before. Besides, the game was in question and there’s a huge difference between a runner on second and a runner on third there. So…yeah…I’ll just repeat what madv said i guess.
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 9, 2008 11:25 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I'm positive this goes back to a similar play a couple of weeks ago.
I don’t know if anyone else remembers the exact situation, but Cabrera stole third with Dye up and Dye looked distracted and struck out. But unlike in this case, the SB was totally pointless given the game situation, to the point where I remember thinking, “I wonder if Sox players think OCab is just trying to pad his stats for free agency after plays like that.”
by jwsox on
Jul 9, 2008 11:49 PM CDT
up
0 recs
i remember that random ass SB and I didn't get it either
but these are pretty divergent situations.
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 9, 2008 11:59 PM CDT
up
0 recs
i remember the exact situation. and what you describe wasn't it.
"What'cha gonna do brother when Ozunamania runs wild on you?"
by larry on
Jul 10, 2008 8:38 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Agreed...
Dye looks like a stupid whiner for that one. Stop swinging at crap at your shins and you might make contact.
by SSH2005 on
Jul 10, 2008 8:01 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I'll hold off on Paulie. He had good numbers
in Charlotte and looked decent at the plate last night. But Vazquez is a bit of a concern. Contreras is already coming back to earth, Floyd can’t be too far behind. We need Vazquez if we’re going to hold off what this occassional SSS poster believes will be a furious Detroit finish.
by chrome on Jul 9, 2008 11:17 PM CDT 0 recs
maybe a bit too pesimistic here
Why is Gavin right behind coming down to earth? I don’t know, all of these guys have overachieved and it is just finally nice to the offense pick up the slack. Pitching was helping the team most of the first half, not offense is helping pitching to finish off the half. The all-star break is coming, the pitchers will get some rest, let’s watch and see what happens…
by LT_sox_fan on
Jul 9, 2008 11:43 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Huh?
gavin has given up the least hits on the staff. What suggests to you that he is coming back down to earth?
by Rockraines on
Jul 10, 2008 12:00 PM CDT
up
0 recs
i'm gonna go with who has an unsustainably low babip for $1000, alex.
"What'cha gonna do brother when Ozunamania runs wild on you?"
by larry on
Jul 10, 2008 12:03 PM CDT
up
0 recs
His BABIP is way low
But I want to point out he does give up the fewest percentage of line drives on our staff. So his expected BABIP will be lower than the other starters, yet even his real BABIP is lower than that. His second half will be interesting
by 3E8 on
Jul 10, 2008 12:48 PM CDT
up
0 recs
i don't think low LD rates are sustainable normally
he has SOME ability to control his BABIP because of his curve which has the lowest BABIP outside of the knuck, but he also has an extremely hittable fastball.
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 6:43 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Gavin's sustained it in a White Sox uni, so a decent sample
180 IP w/ LD% < 17
by 3E8 on
Jul 10, 2008 7:21 PM CDT
up
0 recs
we got half a season of good jose
now he can relax and take it easy so he’s ready for the September push
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on
Jul 10, 2008 1:25 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Paulie's timing was just way off
as was his pitch recognition. Every swing he made contact on, he was way out in front, even fastballs. I guess there’s just no substituting for major league stuff.
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on Jul 9, 2008 11:23 PM CDT 0 recs
I just skimmed the game thread over at Royals Review
It must be really tough being a Royals fan.
Coffee is for closers.
by vince_ on Jul 9, 2008 11:33 PM CDT 0 recs
eesh
doesn’t get much worse than that.
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 12:00 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Yeah it does
You could be slitting your wrists vertically as a Packers fan with the emotional rollercoaster Brett Favre is putting them through.
by Ozzie Montana on
Jul 10, 2008 3:20 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I felt like a twins fan today
Usually I watch the twins score, and they are down 4-0, 6-2, or something in the 6th and I am thinking, man, they are coming back and we won’t gain a game or even lose in the standings. And it comes true later on as they score bunch of runs in the 7th, 8th, etc…. the last two days that has been us! finally…
by LT_sox_fan on
Jul 9, 2008 11:45 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Lead back up to 3.5 games
Where are all the chicken littles now?
Coffee is for closers.
by vince_ on
Jul 9, 2008 11:53 PM CDT
up
0 recs
i'll rec that
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 12:01 AM CDT
up
0 recs
SSH vanished that's for sure
I don’t get that dude at all. Why not enjoy the good parts if the bad parts are going to make you so miserable?
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 12:01 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I think he's a baseball masochist
Coffee is for closers.
by vince_ on
Jul 10, 2008 12:02 AM CDT
up
0 recs
enjoying stuff isn't an option for him
i think he only likes repeating his comments about fifty times then putting down others thoughts
i don’t want to see any more of this tomfoolery on this guestbook. and get off my motherfucking lawn.---good ole larry
by furby2056 on
Jul 10, 2008 12:13 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Dude, I have a one month old...
I’m not living in mommy and daddy’s basement. I’ve got shit to do.
by SSH2005 on
Jul 10, 2008 8:12 AM CDT
up
0 recs
nah i live upstairs...
only 2 months more though haha
i don’t want to see any more of this tomfoolery on this guestbook. and get off my motherfucking lawn.---good ole larry
by furby2056 on
Jul 10, 2008 10:33 AM CDT
up
0 recs
So the baby only cries when the Sox are doing well?
Uh huh. Because you magically have plenty of time when the Sox aren’t doing well.
Coffee is for closers.
by vince_ on
Jul 10, 2008 11:28 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Yeah, that's the way it works vince_... you got me.
By the way, that could be the worst avatar I have ever seen in my life.
by SSH2005 on
Jul 10, 2008 11:55 AM CDT
up
0 recs
are you sure your offsping hasn't gotten some of those cubs genes that seem to run in your wife's family?
remember, if you catch it early, you can often nip it in the bud.
"What'cha gonna do brother when Ozunamania runs wild on you?"
by larry on
Jul 10, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I wouldn't let that happen...
If it did, I would disown him.
by SSH2005 on
Jul 10, 2008 12:12 PM CDT
up
0 recs
DFA the little bastard!
Mrs. SSH: Where’s Junior?
SSH: I send him down to Great Falls, MT
Mrs. SSH: Why not Bristol, VA?
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
by The Wizard on
Jul 10, 2008 1:31 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Vinne, for a multitude of reason, I have to go with SSH on the avatar comment
You are better than that.
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
by winningugly on
Jul 10, 2008 12:28 PM CDT
up
0 recs
*vinnie*, *reasons*
I’d better quit.
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
by winningugly on
Jul 10, 2008 12:29 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Winingugli, for a multitude of reason, I have to go with you on the quitting comment. ;- )
"I was going to take it easy on you and make it fast, but then you had to go and play the fucking hero."
by Toonderstrook on
Jul 10, 2008 12:31 PM CDT
up
1 recs
POS
You are wasting my tax dollars. Get to work.
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
by winningugly on
Jul 10, 2008 12:33 PM CDT
up
0 recs
is that you, john wayne? is this me?
"I was going to take it easy on you and make it fast, but then you had to go and play the fucking hero."
by Toonderstrook on
Jul 10, 2008 12:36 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Seconded!
:-P
His most recent E5, botching a sure double play, was classic, as was his recent Dybzynski moment – pinch-running, then quickly getting picked off.
Pablo taketh away, and he giveth, usually with the same hand. Pablo, we barely knew ye. - WU
by rhythm on
Jul 10, 2008 5:58 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I H-8 U
POS.
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
by winningugly on
Jul 10, 2008 6:06 PM CDT
up
0 recs
My avatar is not to please the likes of you or SSH
Y’all can kiss my ass.
Coffee is for closers.
by vince_ on
Jul 10, 2008 1:08 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Typical Obama supporter
No sense of humor.
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
by winningugly on
Jul 10, 2008 2:27 PM CDT
up
0 recs
we nominated a black guy who's middle name is Hussein and we
have no sense of humor?
When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...
by Chiburb on
Jul 10, 2008 2:29 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Typical Obama hater
White and a pirate hooker.
by Ozzie Montana on
Jul 10, 2008 3:21 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I am white (mostly)
but what is a pirate hooker?
Racist.
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
by winningugly on
Jul 10, 2008 3:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Awww - he cute
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
by winningugly on
Jul 10, 2008 3:43 PM CDT
up
0 recs
haha
i don’t want to see any more of this tomfoolery on this guestbook. and get off my motherfucking lawn.---good ole larry
by furby2056 on
Jul 10, 2008 12:18 PM CDT
up
0 recs
YEA!!!
GET A FUCKING JOB TOO WHILE YOUR AT IT!!
He was banned for today partly because he uses bad words (in a mean way; unlike everyone else who only use them when absolutely necessary in order to fight the terrorists)
by whitesoxmatt on
Jul 10, 2008 5:29 PM CDT
up
0 recs
fuck that, i'm coasting
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 6:50 PM CDT
up
0 recs
balks made me giggle
I think it took me years of baseball watching to be able to spot them. Still, Royals lose because their pitcher leaned forward and back.
Baseball is a wonderful and, at times, silly game.
by shaftr on Jul 10, 2008 12:02 AM CDT 0 recs
The balk rules
Give me a headache.
Bloggin'
http://bierjournal.blogspot.com/
by Six Pack on
Jul 10, 2008 7:54 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I tried explaining them to my wife last night
She now “gets it” about as much as I do.
by sti3 on
Jul 10, 2008 10:30 AM CDT
up
0 recs
from now on, I'm calling Dotel
Trucknutz
Property of: PAUL KONERKO Track and Field Academy & Steakhouse
by thecip on Jul 10, 2008 12:04 AM CDT 0 recs
care to clarify that?
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 12:21 AM CDT
up
0 recs
It suits him.
Trucknutz and Bikerballz [!!!] are made of solid plastic (the toughest in the industry). GUARANTEED not to fade, chip, crack or break – or FREE replacement (our world famous “takes a licking” guarantee) The original tried and true nutz.
Sounds like closer mentality.
Property of: PAUL KONERKO Track and Field Academy & Steakhouse
by thecip on
Jul 10, 2008 8:56 AM CDT
up
0 recs
you convinced me
Trucknutz it is
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 6:50 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Thanks for the recap, Cheat.
I missed the game, and this is far more helpful than looking at the boxscore. Great job, as usual.
by reardenmettle on Jul 10, 2008 1:23 AM CDT 0 recs
missed the game? shit, i name dropped your ass in the BUO
are you trying to use stats around here? what the fuck do you think this is? - MM
by colintj on
Jul 10, 2008 2:41 AM CDT
up
0 recs
get a room.
When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...
by Chiburb on
Jul 10, 2008 4:32 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Joe Cowley thinks he knows OC enough to call him a "bad guy"
Cabrera Island
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Trailing 6-5 after starting pitcher Javier Vazquez dug the offense a five-run hole by the third and made them climb out of it, Orlando Cabrera walked to lead off the eighth inning. Nick Swisher flied out to center, leading to Cabrera nabbing second base.
Carlos Quentin, who had homered twice on the night to give him 21 on the season, then walked to bring up Jermaine Dye. During Dye’s at-bat, Cabrera nabbed third base. On the surface a heads-up play, but at the same time, a pet-peeve for some hitters who find it a distraction. Dye then struck out, seemingly putting the rally in jeopardy.
Jim Thome had other ideas, however, as the veteran hit a grounder into the hole between first and second base, allowing Cabrera to tie the game up, and Quentin to get to third.
Then it was fun time, like only the South Siders, and their now 3 ½-game lead in the Central Division, could provide.
As Cabrera was passing around the high-fives in the dugout, Dye apparently must have said something to his shortstop. What that was, Dye wasn’t saying.
Cabrera, never one to bite his tongue, started shouting in Dye’s direction and had to be restrained by Jose Contreras.
Afterward, it was explaining time.
"There was a little thing going on, but not a big deal,’’ Guillen said. "I talked to everyone after the game, told them that a good ballclub puts it behind them, a bad ballclub keeps fighting.
"But I like that. I don’t want them to fist fight, but I like that. I don’t want to see talking behind peoples’ back. I hate when players don’t like something with a coach or teammate and create a big whisper thing in the clubhouse.
"It was a misunderstanding. They talked it out and hugged, and it’s over.’’
While Cabrera did his usual disappearing act right after the game, Dye did discuss it.
"It was a misunderstanding,’’ the outfielder said. "When you’re together for a long time things happen. Good teams have disputes and move on.’’
My take? Who cares. Cabrera is a bad guy, selfish and cares about one person, but both he and the Sox need each other for a few months longer and then can spit on one another through the media. Next!
by stanchar on Jul 10, 2008 5:30 AM CDT 0 recs
Good Guy / Bad Guy Musing
This little JD/OC incident has me thinking about the way we as spectators form opinions about players and whether they are “good guys” or “bad guys.” It seems that most of us who pay close attention to a team come to have opinions about the players as more than just athletes but as people as well. I know I do. My relationship with the Sox includes identifying with the players to some degree or other. I don’t mean I think they are my friends or “they’re just like me!” I’m not that pathetic (I hope). I mean that, for me, the guys who wear our colors are not just BattleBots but are individuals whose personalitie



