Conor Gillaspie studied meteorology in college, and the weatherman walked off with a win.
But it didn't have to be. No, I'm not talking about the solo homer Derek Dietrich hit off of Jake Peavy in the top of the ninth. The Sox failed to cash in on several scoring opportunities.
In the top of the second, after an Adam Dunn strikeout, Paul Konerko reached on a ground ball into the hole that bounced off of the glove of shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria. Dayan Viciedo lined out to Dietrich at second base. With two outs, Gillaspie singled to center. Jeff Keppinger loaded the bases with another single to shallow center. Hector Giminez grounded out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the third, Alejandro De Aza led off with a single. Alexei Ramirez drove De Aza in with a double to left. Alexei remained on second after a Rios groundout, a Dunn strikeout, and a Konerko flyout.
In the fourth, Jeff Keppinger and Hector Giminez were unable to drive in Gillaspie.
In the seventh, Jeff Keppinger's one-out single was wiped out when he was caught stealing second.
In the eighth, Alexei Ramirez hit a one-out single. Alex Rios hit a fly ball to left center (it was a "just missed it"). Dunn walked to put runners on first and second. But Konerko lined out to second base to end the inning.
Dietrich, who robbed the White Sox of two RBI singles, tied the game with a one-out solo homer in the ninth, spoiling Peavy's bid for a shutout.
But the Bulldog got the win anyway. Dewayne Wise led off the bottom of the ninth with a double, and Gillaspie won the game with a single to short left field. Under normal circumstances, that would have been a gutsy send on the part of Joe McEwing. But our old friend Juan Pierre plays in left field for the Marlins, and his throw went wide of home plate.
The Sox are now one game under .500. A series sweep tomorrow would put the Sox at the .500 mark for the first time since April 10.
NOTES: Alex Rios' hitting streak ends at 18 games. Peavy's complete game effort was his first since a 2-1 loss to the Cubs last June 19th. This is the the second walkoff win in a row. The last time the Sox had two consecutive walkoff wins? April 23-24, 2010, when Andruw Jones and Alex Rios walked off the Seattle Mariners.
Record: 23-24 | Box score | Play-by-play | Highlights