Charlotte Knights Unable to Match Cliff Lee, Sox Lose

by The Cheat on Sep 1, 2008 9:51 PM CDT in Game Threads Comment 43 comments

Orlando Cabrera and AJ Pierzynski led off Monday's game with back-to-back singles, but that was all the offense the White Sox could muster over the first 7 innings. Cliff Lee continued his improbable run at a Cy Young, setting down 21 straight White Sox hitters in a row at one point.

Clayton Richard was given the unenviable task of trying to match Lee, with some unfortunately predictable mediocre results. Richard wasn't terrible, but he still creates problems for himself, specifically with his inability to locate first base after fielding what should be a routine out. I actually thought he showed some substantial improvement with his change-up, but he couldn't get it called for a low-strike, limiting his effectiveness. Ozzie gave him the quick hook because 4-runs is a huge lead with Lee on the mound, and he had an opportunity to get a look at some guys in what was really a lower-leverage situation than the score would have normally dictated.

Ehren Wasserman, Boone Logan, and Mike MacDougal, who were all recalled from Charlotte within the last two days, all saw their first game action since returning. Surprisingly, all of them were effective. I was particular interested to see MacDougal pitch again, as he has been quite effective since the All-Star break (31/12 K/BB ratio and 1.59 ERA in 22.2 IP). With the caveat that he only threw 7 pitches (5 strikes, 3 outs!), I wanted to make note that his delivery was a little quieter, more fluid, at times, which could be a great sign for the stretch run, but he still overthrew a couple of pitches.

Scott Linebrink came off the DL today, and is apparently available to pitch Wednesday. I'm sure Ozzie will ease Linebrink back into his role with some low-leverage work at first, giving the Sox a bullpen that appears to be back near full strength. However, with Aaron Poreda headed to the AFL and unlikely to get a callup, I wouldn't be surprised if it's MacDougal, not Linebrink, who ends up being the surprise valuable arm down the stretch, earning himself some high-leverage work in place of the mysteriously injured Linebrink.

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things that are clear:

1. the white sox suck.
2. the twins are awesome.
3. stats are for dorks.
4. most of you are dorks.
5. ssh will continue to tell everyone this several times daily.

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

by MarketMaker on Sep 1, 2008 10:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm a dork? yeah guess you're right...

but i’m a beautiful butterfly too

takes some real stones for the one certifiable cocksucker on here to jump into this convo.-mm

by furby2056 on Sep 1, 2008 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't ever talk like that, furbs. none of that applies to you.

i hear you’re a total badass and that chicks dig you.

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

by MarketMaker on Sep 1, 2008 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

6. It’ll be a cold day in hell when we get an ignore button.

White Sox, that’s baseball.

by vince_ on Sep 1, 2008 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flag everything I say!

"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes anyday." - AJ

by omnipotent grab on Sep 1, 2008 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

can we get a punch in the fucking face button?

that would be really useful sometimes kthxbai

takes some real stones for the one certifiable cocksucker on here to jump into this convo.-mm

by furby2056 on Sep 2, 2008 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Enter obligatory Google Images post...

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Sep 2, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i didnt know cintron was a boxer too

by The Scoper on Sep 2, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

utility player

he does it all

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

by U-God on Sep 2, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look at the zits on Whitey's back.

Juicing and still getting his tail kicked. Needs ink.

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

by winningugly on Sep 2, 2008 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A few depressing stats...

I saw these at another Sox board:

The Sox have now been shutout 11 times on the season which already matches last year’s terrible Sox team.
The Sox are the only contender in the MLB to be shutout more times than they’ve shut the opponent out this season.

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

by SSH2005 on Sep 1, 2008 11:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You should have commented on it at the board...

…o wait…..

by Tony82087 on Sep 1, 2008 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You mean the board in which you have to kiss everyone in the Sox organization's ass...

because the mods are worried about getting lame interviews with them? No thanks. I haven’t posted there in forever and one of the mods there actually asked me to delete my posts here at SSS about the Dave Wilder situation. That board has turned into WSI v2.0 — a pathetic shill for the White Sox. JimH still posts there too, haha.

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

by SSH2005 on Sep 2, 2008 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

by larry on Sep 2, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perfect.

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

by winningugly on Sep 2, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lee vs. Pierzynski...

Mark Gonzales wrote:

CLEVELAND — The only suspense in the White Sox’s 5-0 loss at Cleveland involved catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who said he was stunned to learn Cliff Lee said a few things to him after popping out in the fourth inning.

"I rounded first, and he said something else and I looked at him like, ‘What?’" Pierzynski said. "I didn’t say anything. I was mad because I missed a 3-2 pitch and popped up. It wasn’t meant anything toward him. You miss a pitch, you pop up against a guy that good, you can’t miss pitches to hit. Oh well."

Lee, who won his 20th game, stared in the direction of Pierzynski after recording the final out. He gave reporters a different reason of what transpired.

"He slammed his bat down and stared me down," Lee said. "I stared back. He was chirping in the dugout. It gave me a little extra energy. Actually, I appreciate him doing that."

The loss dropped the Sox into a tie for first place in the American League Central with idle Minnesota.

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

by SSH2005 on Sep 2, 2008 12:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lee is definitely intense dude, we see his actions in the dugout sometimes. Oh well … both probably overreacted to nothing.

by LT_sox_fan on Sep 2, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Both are prone to do so

I still don’t understand why AJ would slam his bat and stare him down because of a pop up, but I can see AJ doing it for sure..

by 815Sox on Sep 2, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

how the q was won.

one of those espn insider jobs but the gist is that the dbacks wanted bowden or jed lowrie or cliff lee. no go and they settled for chris carter, who was an integral part of the harden deal.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3564009&name=gammons_peter&action=login&appRedirect=http3a2f2finsider.espn.go.com2fespn2fblog2findex3fentryID3d356400926name3dgammons_peter

by larry on Sep 2, 2008 9:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

drop the 'd' of course.

by larry on Sep 2, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yay

Linebrink is back… finally. What started as a short “resting period” turned into an over month long absence. I hope he is right back to his previous self.

We must beat Cleveland tonight.

by LT_sox_fan on Sep 2, 2008 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

by larry on Sep 2, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Must win tonight

I doubt we will see much of Linebrink tonight if at all

by 815Sox on Sep 2, 2008 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

going out on a limb there with your linebrink prediction, huh.

by larry on Sep 2, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know it

by 815Sox on Sep 2, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Sox already said that he isn't pitching until Wednesday...

This is what Larry was referring to.

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

by SSH2005 on Sep 2, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yuck

Pretty nasty for the boys lately. Good news about Scott.

Regarding Tampa looks like they have crossed the promised land Larry. Drinks in the house.

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

by Tdogg on Sep 2, 2008 10:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that bet was a real barn burner, huh.

by larry on Sep 2, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

Im finished with the predicting business on the Rays. I am a true believer now.

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

by Tdogg on Sep 2, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ballyb is next. i hope his face didn't fall off.

by larry on Sep 2, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, it is caving in.

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

by winningugly on Sep 2, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

would you step in and buy some damn stock, wu?

this market just keeps pissing away today’s gains and i’m sick of it.

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

by MarketMaker on Sep 2, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am truly sick of it, too.

Toughest year I’ve ever had. And it’s affecting my White Sox fandom – I am getting to be an irritable guy (as you might surmise from my crotchety posts lately).

YOU are the trader, dammit. YOU move the markets these days. Make it happen! (Funny how bally is referenced above – he’s not talked about the market in months. Wonder how life is for him – soon to be without a face, too.)

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

by winningugly on Sep 2, 2008 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you sure its not just the undeniable white sox suckitude that's affecting your fandom?

"maybe we could stop and pick up some tabasco?"

by Toonderstrook on Sep 2, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Toonder-itis

“Wish Jenks could strike guys out in a pinch.”

Fer Chrissakes.

:-)

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

by winningugly on Sep 2, 2008 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So here we are, 25 games left.

We should have a 2-4 game lead. I have this feeling of nausea pervading my being. I don’t think we’re gonna make it….I’m afraid we would have to nut up and decide to break this psychological thing we have with the Twins….but I see no signs that we can. I am more sabermetrician than intangible man when assessing teams baseball fortunes, but, in this case, I myself can’t see over this Twins thing. Am I crazy, or do you feel it, sense it, like I do? Fuck.

by dantesox on Sep 2, 2008 1:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They definitely should have a lead of a few games...

Now, the Sox don’t really have an advantage over the Twins. Both teams play roughly the same number of games at home and on the road for the rest of the season but the Sox face tougher teams. They also have to face the Twins at the Twinkiedome and they may catch Cliff Lee again in the last week of the season.

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

by SSH2005 on Sep 2, 2008 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're not helping my nausea.

But, yes, what you say ALSO gives them the advantage.

by dantesox on Sep 2, 2008 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

September...

…is when the best teams play the best baseball. It made me sick to hear Swish (this morning on the SCORE) reminding the listeners that everyone predicted that the Sox would finish no better than third.

Guess what, Swish? Cleveland and Detroit both opened the division championship door. It’s time to start playing like a team that wants to make the playoffs.

"Baseball is 90% mental -- the other half is physical."

by thekever on Sep 2, 2008 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs