One of my keys for game 2 was for White Sox hitters to use the opposite field against David Wells. -- They didn't. -- In fact, it was the Boston hitters who used all fields, specifically with two strikes, to build a 4-0 lead against Mark Buehrle.
Mark was shaky for the first few innings. He seems to just play catch sometimes, and gets a little too nonchalant with his pitch location. He left a few 0-2 pitches in far too hittable locations, and it cost him. I have to give him credit though, he was able to settle down and really silence the Boston bats. He allowed just 2 baserunners after the 3rd inning.
The White Sox entire offensive attack was confined to one frame. Not surprisingly, it was started on the Sox first opposite field hit of the game, a single off the bat of Carl Everett. Aaron Rowand would double down the left field line to put the Sox on the board, and Joe Crede singled him home to put the Sox back in the game.
The game would swing on the next two batters. Juan Uribe hit what appeared to be a routine groundball (a double play ball, even) to ex-White Sox Tony Graffanino, but the ball Bucknered right through his legs an into left field. The Sox had the go-ahead run at the plate in the form of Tadahito Iguchi.
After taking the first pitch for a ball off the outside corner, Iguchi watched as Wells dropped a nasty hook right on the inside corner to run the count to 1-1. Iguchi made an exaggerated reaction to the pitch that may have been misinterpreted by Wells. Iguchi turned away from it, failing to watch it all the way, and looked surprised when it was called a strike. He has on more than one occasion this season looked very bad on big breaking balls like that. I'm sure Wells knew this, and thought Iguchi was having trouble picking up his breaking ball, so he threw it again. Mistake.
It was the worst curveball he had thrown all night. It was up a little bit and out over the heart of the plate. -- Iguchi didn't miss it. -- 5-4 White Sox in the blink of an eye.
Bobby Jenks came in to face Manny Ramirez to start the 8th inning -- I love this move. With the BoSox bringing up their 4-5-6 hitters in the 8th inning, you bring in your best guy out of the pen to put it away against their best. It also gives you the option of going to Hermanson, or playing lefty-righty matchups in the ninth as the bottom of the order is due up. -- He was able to shut the door in the ninth after Graffanino almost redeemed himself with a 1-out double.
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