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Clayton Richard Is Surprised He Won Too

I closed yesterday's recap with a note that the Sox were due to give back the game they had just picked up on the Twins because of the incredibly lopsided pitching match-up facing them Tuesday night. Clayton Richard entered the game with zero major league wins, and hadn't allowed fewer than 5 runs or pitched more than 5 innings in any of his 3 previous big league starts. Felix Hernandez, on the other hand, is one of the best pitchers in baseball; he strikes guys out, he gets ground balls, he throws in the mid-90's, he doesn't allow many homers.

To put it another way, Hernandez is the pitcher you create when you're cheating on MVP baseball, while Richard is the pitcher you turn to when your 5th starter ruptures his Achilles and all the other options seem unpalatable. The Sox were supposed to get owned hard, like that kite-surfer who thought it would be fun to set sail in a tropical storm; but Richard was up to the task, and the White Sox offense chipped away at Hernandez in each of his 6 innings of work. Baseball is a funny game. Any team can beat any other team on any give night. Take your pick of any number of clichés.

If I was the type to draw drastic conclusions after one encouraging start--and I don't think I have to tell you that I'm not--I might say that Richard looked like he learned something from his first go around with the big club. I missed Richard's first start, so I don't really know how he struck out 7 in his big league debut. But I caught every pitch of his last three, and can see the makings of future major league pitcher.

Richard's main weapon is a fastball that he adds and subtracts off of to great effect. According to GameDay, Richard's fastball averaged 90.26 MPH on the night, yet some of his fastballs clock in around 86 and below, and one even hit 94.7 MPH. In both this start and the first four innings against the Twins, Richard showed a veteran's ability to ramp up his fastball to get key outs. In fact, the 94.7 MPH pitch was an expertly located 2-2 fastball to strike out Wladimir Balentien with 1-out and a man on third base.

Richard is still rough around the edges, however, as he showed when he once again threw away a throw to first on the opening play of the game. His secondary stuff still needs work and he always seems on the verge of giving up the big inning, but you can see the hints of a possible back-end rotation fixture in there somewhere.

The Sox offense, outside of General Soreness, is really clicking right now. Everyone had a base hit except Griffey and JD, who combined to ground into three double plays. We'll forgive Dye on account of his great season thus far, but Griffey needs to do something or take a seat for good. Swisher, Konerko, and Thome have all hit well since his acquisition, and I see no reason to worsen the defense in favor of less offense and a better box office draw.

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junior-

plz sit your ass on the bench.

kthxbai.

regards

you pos

You're on thin fucking ice my pedigree chums, and I shall be under it when it breaks. Now, fuck off.

by MarketMaker on Aug 19, 2008 11:54 PM CDT   0 recs

Seconded

but he's a capt'n, or is that crap'n

by Brush Back on Aug 19, 2008 11:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The Sox matched their '07 win total

suck it Erstad… and Andy Gonzalez

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2008 12:03 AM CDT   0 recs

and luis terrero

If I was a caterpillar and you were a caterpillar I would metamorphosize into a butterfly so that you could see the vast potential of your great beauty. And then you would change, and we would have changed. And it would be beautiful. Change is beautiful.

by furby2056 on Aug 20, 2008 12:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh and rob mackowiak and alex cintron too plz? kthxbai

If I was a caterpillar and you were a caterpillar I would metamorphosize into a butterfly so that you could see the vast potential of your great beauty. And then you would change, and we would have changed. And it would be beautiful. Change is beautiful.

by furby2056 on Aug 20, 2008 12:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the lost ships of armadas past

nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team

by colintj on Aug 20, 2008 12:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and mike macdougal

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Aug 20, 2008 12:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and ryan bukvich

"term: pussy, user: larry, count: 11

term: pussy, user: all, count: 83" - wiz

by Where Triples Go to Die on Aug 20, 2008 1:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and michael myers

"as much as i hate dj i don't want him to get molested"- BuehrleMan

by U-God on Aug 20, 2008 6:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and bret prinz

brian anderson would've caught that...

by BuehrleMan on Aug 20, 2008 8:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Big Frank, Carl Everett and the Alomar Brothers

I’m just a bitter old man.

"Carlos is a hit magnet…if Carlos gets hit the way he gets hit, I don't mind. But if he gets hit the way I don't think he should get hit, then it's a problem."- Ozzie Guillen (8/14/08)

by tailgater on Aug 20, 2008 9:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You are being redundant

Old = bitter.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2008 11:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yet another shutout while General Soreness roams CF - I believe that's 3 or 4 times in a week that the Sox opponent has not scored while Griffey has been in the game in center.

Oh, and, just because he feels like it, Q channels Jerry Owens for a night. Well … not the actual Jerry Owens, but a theoretical Jerry Owens who does things like reach base on infield hits and steals third.

This team … she is rolling now.

by The Actual El Guapo on Aug 20, 2008 12:13 AM CDT   0 recs

we seem to finally have at least settled on what to expect from the players on this team

if, perhaps, not the team itself. and it only took us until mid august!

nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team

by colintj on Aug 20, 2008 12:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

idk i'm still waiting for juan to go out and take a bite of somebody's leg as they are standing on third base

that’s just me though

If I was a caterpillar and you were a caterpillar I would metamorphosize into a butterfly so that you could see the vast potential of your great beauty. And then you would change, and we would have changed. And it would be beautiful. Change is beautiful.

by furby2056 on Aug 20, 2008 12:29 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

First time in Felix' career that he didn't strike out a batter

amazing, considering the Sox had Uribe in the lineup

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 20, 2008 12:31 AM CDT   0 recs

This is the new / Old carry the team Uribe.. not the real Uribe, he’s unstoppable force right now.

by Grinder in Training on Aug 20, 2008 7:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

WTF IS THIS SHIT!?

I read somewhere this was a loss, so I avoided the game threads of doom. Damnit people… next you’ll tell me the Twins haven’t already won the WS.

Also, can we name Clayton ‘Smiley’? Also, he’s gotta be the only young pitcher that actually wears his cap noticeably tilted up rather than flat or down like all the other kids these days. Mama wants him to show off that smile.

by Trooper on Aug 20, 2008 12:38 AM CDT   0 recs

i think the Joker is better

check out soxmachine

"as much as i hate dj i don't want him to get molested"- BuehrleMan

by U-God on Aug 20, 2008 6:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

using the bandbox to their advantage.

white sox have hit 111 home runs at home thus far; opponents 61.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 12:56 AM CDT   0 recs

73 HR on the road in 42 more road AB's

for those of y’all of may have been wondering

by jeeves on Aug 20, 2008 1:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

spread is a lot less pronounced between sox and home teams as well.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 1:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Richard.

Mariners.

by Omerta on Aug 20, 2008 1:59 AM CDT   0 recs

Re: Mariners.

Richard.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 2:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't give me that shit

The Mariners have been more than a decent offense since the break (do some research :-)). And they certainly didn’t have trouble pounding Buerhle to a degree.

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 6:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I tend to agree...

Richard was very close to giving up runs quite a bit in the game. The first inning was lucky as hell. And look at the numbers of the guys the Mariners had starting — pretty awful. His fastball is nice and he does change speeds with it but the only other pitches I saw Richard throw were a changeup and/or a slider at around 81 MPH and they looked like the same pitch. He doesn’t have the same kind of performance against a better team.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 7:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"He doesn’t have the same kind of performance against a better team".

And is it likely he’ll have to?

1. The first inning troubles were his own doing, not because of his pitching.
2. Do you EVER just say ‘nice job’ or ‘wow, that was unexpected but sweet’?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 8:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Simple answers to simple questions

2. No

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Aug 20, 2008 9:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Whatever

As I said Seattle has been a decent offensive team lately. The numbers back that up. You say he was lucky in the 1st. Ichiro should have never been on in the first place.

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 8:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The numbers don't show that...

Miguel Cairo, Adrian Beltre, Wladimir Balentien, Kenji Johjima, Jamie Burke, and Yuniesky Betancourt are good hitters. They have all been pretty awful this season.

I don’t think I am being unreasonable here. Richard faced a bunch of scrubs other than Ichiro and Ibanez. Let me see what Richard can do against a team that doesn’t have a bad offense and that isn’t going to lose 100+ games this season.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 9:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nobody is trying to turn Seattle into the 27 yankees

If you read what I wrote it pointed to their recent offensive performance as decent.
.302/.347/.444 since the all star break
.310/.347/.440 in August

For the year
.266/.320/.389

Maybe its just me, but they seem to have hit somewhat better lately. So yes you are being a bit unreasonable to suggest its as simple as he shut down a bunch of scrubs and thus little credit should be given. Yes I’d like to see it repeated (we all would) but give him some due.

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 9:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess my thinking that he will get rocked by a good team...

has more to do with the way he pitches. He mainly throws fastballs and I guess he also throws a slider and a changeup but they both look like the same pitch at around 81 MPH. Hawk will even tell you about how successful a two-pitch pitcher will be in the majors.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 9:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And isn't this second-half surge of the Mariners somewhat common?

Once they are nice and comfy as the division’s caboose, they start doing alright for the last bit of the stretch.

I thought Richard did awesome given what we expected…and hey! That includes that we expected him to be playing a relatively shitty offense, and still suck!

So, in typical SSH fashion, you by first predict that he was going to suck it up hard against the M’s, and then when he didn’t suck it up hard, say, “oh it’s just a shitty team, that’s why.”

Well yeah, no shit! That’s why he fucking started!

Chances are, he won’t have to face a far better offense this year….maybe he’ll have the off-season chance to develop that third pitch before he faces the bigger bats next season…

Richard took care of business, regardless of who he faced.
Mad props, yo.

Oooh la la! Change is beautiful.......(veers off pathway with bike) Whoa!

by homesickalien on Aug 20, 2008 9:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your logic and reason has no effect on SSH

He’s immune.

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Aug 20, 2008 9:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know that. He's especially immune when it's coming from a chick.

I’m expecting my bitch-slap any….moment…now……

Oooh la la! Change is beautiful.......(veers off pathway with bike) Whoa!

by homesickalien on Aug 20, 2008 9:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

There you go

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Aug 20, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That wasn't her argument

and the images weren’t that funny the first time around. Now its just pathetic, to borrow one of your favorite words.

Coffee is for closers.

by vince_ on Aug 20, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, they were...

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 9:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No, it wasn't. None of us could have predicted that (even against the M's) - but most of us are at least calling it a sweet surprise.

To quote myself, and bold the parts that you should try to read with comprehension:

“I thought Richard did awesome given what we expected…and hey! That includes that we expected him to be playing a relatively shitty offense, and still suck!”

Oooh la la! Change is beautiful.......(veers off pathway with bike) Whoa!

by homesickalien on Aug 20, 2008 9:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Reason is not automatic.

Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it.

Why so serious?

by reardenmettle on Aug 20, 2008 9:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought he'd do all right.

I never predict a shutout, but I was interested to see what he’d do tonight.

By the way, Sox fifth starters in August – 2-1, 4.50 ERA.

Jarrod Washburn in August – 0-4, 7.36 ERA.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 20, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

as jre always argues, who knows what he would have done in another context?

he probably would have gone 8-0 with a 1.93 ERA for the twins. the dome is magic.

"Suck it up Bunky, we gotta go.'" - ron gardenhire

by larry on Aug 20, 2008 9:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The American way.

Oooh la la! Change is beautiful.......(veers off pathway with bike) Whoa!

by homesickalien on Aug 20, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

except

elect governors and build bridges

I'm like a laser, six-string razor. I've got a mouth like an alligator

by Nordhagen on Aug 20, 2008 10:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey!

I resent that! (Also you forgot building good college basketball or football teams.)

Optimist

by Peder on Aug 20, 2008 11:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dotel would still suck with the Twins though.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 10:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And Konerko.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2008 11:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I came pretty close with 1ER going to the 7th.

And almost perfect in hits and walks:

6 IP 2 ER 5 H 5K 1BB Leaves to a standing O after giving up the 5th hit (HR) in the top of the 7th, goes back to Charlotte and commiserates with Broadway.

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 19, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 20, 2008 9:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

a few of us thought he would do okay last night

But I guess if you didn’t predict a shut out before hand you suck according to SSH. lol.
Look Richard needs to improve a few things, no argument there but the one thing I love about him this year, minors included is the fact he isnt walking many folks. Some days you might get beat up as you learn but just don’t give those damn free passes and make it easier.

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 10:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I wasn't so sure how Richard would do, but I did think the Sox had a chance against King Felix

I’m pleasantly surprised at the results from his start. Bravo Richard!

this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry

by rhythm on Aug 20, 2008 12:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dat maka da sense.

Additionally, I think, given how mental of a game baseball is, that many players will perform better when the stakes aren’t as high. More relaxed, and not as focused on the hunt for (insert applicable team color) October.

Naturally, that pressure will also light fires under certain players’ asses…but it can be very distracting.

Oooh la la! Change is beautiful.......(veers off pathway with bike) Whoa!

by homesickalien on Aug 20, 2008 10:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

d'oh.

you should have known the m’s had a “bad offense” and were likely to “lost 100+ games this season” when you predicted disaster for last night. so either you thought the mariners’ offense wasn’t terrible when you prognosticated or that richard was so awful as to be owned by the bad m’s offense. either way, changing the subject now doesn’t change the fact you whiffed. we all make bad predictions, but somehow you can never seem to just own up to yours and, in ozzie’s terms, tip your cap.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 10:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

non seq.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 11:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Toonderstroke.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 11:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i love the smell of napalm in the morning.

"that woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die."

by Toonderstrook on Aug 20, 2008 11:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Richards

:-)

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 6:45 AM CDT   0 recs

Sox fan from England, marching on together

by hoodlight on Aug 20, 2008 7:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gave you props last night for suggesting CR had a shot last night

Now that the Rays are 6-2 against the Angels and 18-6 against Spanks/BoSox/Angels/White Sox, would you please get in line with reality? A broken clock…

;)

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 20, 2008 7:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Naw I can't yet

I give props that the Rays are a good team.No doubt about it.
But both Sox and the Twins have also continued to win and remain about 5 behind. The Rays schedule is still unfavorable towards the end with plenty of direct match ups.

I also find it irritating as hell that they keep lumping the White Sox in there for Rays record against the elite. The Rays are 4-3 against our boys with a negative run differential and played all the games there in Tampa. Lets just say I wouldn’t be disappointed to meet the Rays in the playoffs.

Yanks are toast (yeah).

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Aug 20, 2008 7:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i was just listening to 670.

they said alexei ramirez will be in the studio for an interview at 9:20.
i predict….awkward.

brian anderson would've caught that...

by BuehrleMan on Aug 20, 2008 7:59 AM CDT   0 recs

As good as Uribe a few years back? Very very very happy

by Grinder in Training on Aug 20, 2008 8:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Injury updates...

Toni Ginnetti wrote:

Catcher Toby Hall was OK a day after hurting himself trying to hit Jermaine Dye with a postgame shaving-cream pie. Hall is the perpetrator of pie-throwing episodes, which Guillen doesn’t object to as long as they don’t get out of hand.
Reliever Scott Linebrink threw without discomfort Tuesday and might throw on the side again today.

Joe Crede, who has been out with a back injury, might play today for Class AAA Charlotte, but at what point he will return to the Sox has not been determined.

’’I’ll make the decision,‘’ Guillen said. ’’I already talked to [general manager Ken Williams] about it. I’m going to make it clear: I’m not going to bring Joe because he’s Joe Crede; I’m going to bring Joe Crede because we need him.

‘’If Joe is ready to play, bring him up. But the way [Juan] Uribe is playing and the way we’re doing stuff, I’m not going to get Joe [if] he’s 0-for-4, 0-for-8, 0-for-10.

‘’Right now, it’s all about winning, and that’s the more important thing.’’

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 20, 2008 8:14 AM CDT   0 recs