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Philip Humber struck out a career high 9 batters today. Unfortunately, when he wasn't striking out people they were taking him deep. Nate Jones and Zach Stewart also were ineffective and the offense got going a little too late as the Sox end the disappointing nine game homestand going 4-5 against the Mariners, Blue Jays and Astros.
J.D. Martinez got the ball moving, leading off the 2nd with a homer to left. Justin Maxwell made it 2-0 Houston with an RBI single later in the inning.
The Sox seemed to get back on track in the 3rd when Alexei Ramirez singled and Tyler Flowers walked. After an Orlando Hudson sac, Alejandro De Aza cut the lead in half with an RBI single. Gordon Beckham hit a tailer made double play ball, but third baseman Chris Johnson booted it and Tyler Flowers scored to tie the game.
Ramirez would give the Sox the lead in the 4th with a sac fly to score Alex Rios, but it was short lived.
After a Brian Bogusevic single to lead off the 5th, Justin Maxwell destroyed a baseball into section 357 that hooked around the foul pole for a 2 run homer. The ball traveled 461 feet. The only other time I saw a ball end up in that section was a Cecil Fielder homer in batting practice back in 1992 or so. Robin Ventura threw the challenge flag, but the replays showed that it was indeed a fair ball.
The Astros would blow the game open in the 6th as Brett Wallace hit another homer off of Humber to make it 5-3. After Chris Johnson singled, Ventura called on Nate Jones who was just as bad as Humber. He walked Maxwell, gave up a 2 run double to Chris Snyder, an RBI single by Jose Altuve and a single to Brian Bixler which gave the Astros 1st and 3rd. With Jed Lowrie batting, Bixler broke for 2nd. Flowers threw down and Altuve took off for home. Alexei took the throw and contemplated throwing home, but didn't and then Bixler dove into 2nd to beat the tag. This was a solid play that I used to use in little league. It shouldn't work in the Major Leagues... especially not twice in the same f'ing series. When the dust settled it was 9-3 Houston.
After Adam Dunn made it 9-4 with his 20th homer, Jose Altuve hit a two run shot off of Zach Stewart to make it 11-4. A two run shot in the 8th by Paul Konerko and a 3 run shot by Orlando Hudson in the 9th brought the tying run on deck, but Brett Myers got De Aza and Beckham to fly to right to end the game.
WP: Lucas Harrell
LP: Philip Humber
S: Brett Myers
* Hudson's homer was his first as a White Sox.
* Will Ohman was the only Sox pitcher who didn't allow a run as he pitched a scoreless 9th.
* With an 11-4 lead, Brad Mills brought in lefty Wesley Wright to face Dunn. After he struck him out he removed him for Wilton Lopez like the game was 2-1 in a pennant race. It proved to be a bad move when Konerko launched his 12th dinger of the season.
* The Indians won in the 9th inning today and are back to within a half a game of the Sox.
* After tomorrow's off day, the Sox face a tough challenge going into St. Louis and Los Angeles to face the Cardinals and Dodgers without a DH. Jose Quintana squares off against Adam Wainwright on Tuesday.
Record: 33-27 | Box