/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3772215/121987143.jpg)
For most of his career, Jered Weaver just dominated the White Sox. But the Sox enjoyed some success over the past year and a half, making him look something closer to human over their last three matchups (1-2, 3.43 ERA).
Tonight harkened back to old times. Without no genuine left-handed presence in the lineup (unless you count Alejandro De Aza), Weaver had his way with the Sox lineup. He combined with Bobby Casevah and Fernando Rodney to throw a five-hit shutout, including 11 strikeouts. Of the five hits, four were bloop singles.
Weaver is hell on righties, and he toyed with Tyler Flowers (three easy strikeouts) and Alex Rios all night (although Rios put up a fight with a nine-pitch non-AB that ended with De Aza getting caught stealing). But he also had his way with Adam Dunn, who struck out looking, struck out swinging, and then changed it up with a double play in his final at-bat.
The Sox had their best chance to make a game of it in the third. Brent Morel (of all people) drew a leadoff walk, and De Aza moved him to third with a two-out hustle double to right-center. Up came Paul Konerko, who struggles more than most against Weaver. He put a good swing on it, hitting a solid line-drive. It just happened to go right to third baseman Alberto Callaspo, who knocked it down and temporarily lost sight of it. However, with Konerko still going on one leg, he had enough time to recover and make a throw to first. The Sox still trailed 3-0, and they'd trail even more after that.
Zach Stewart gave up seven runs over six innings, but three of those came in the seventh. He had problems giving up hits in clumps. He recorded three 1-2-3 innings, but two big crooked numbers sank him. So basically, he looked better and worse than his line indicated. He needed the game of his life to stand up against Weaver tonight, though, so if he had to choose a game to get away from him, he picked a dandy.
Record: 63-65 | Box score | Play-by-play