Unbelievable, disgusting, sickening, depressing. All words that came to mind after yet another bullpen collapse in Chicago in the series finale against he A's on Wednesday. The White Sox showed yet again that they are a good team, receiving another great starting pitching performance from John Danks and scrapping to pick up runs here and there. Juan Pierre was on base all 4 times he was at the plate, scoring the tying run (and getting picked off twice). Rios finally showed signs of life with a big double late in the game. My highlight of the game (besides the gem by Danks) Brent Morel, executing a perfect squeeze bunt in the bottom half of the 6th.
It was nice to see someone on our team lay down a nice bunt for once (God knows it wasn't Ramirez).
A great starting pitching performance, scrappy offense, and timely hitting were the story for the White Sox. So we'll head to the 9th, leading 4-1....
Sale was brought in to close, even though Ozzie said before the game Sale would not see action. Sale gives up a double and 2 singles. Crain comes in, cant find the plate, Thornton comes in, bloop single. Tie ball game. We'll go to the 10th tied at 4. Needless to say in the 10th Thornton's control issues really hit him hard, after recording a ground out, he'd walk 2 guys and the merry go round began. Ill spare you the details, but we lose 7-4. (sorry to rush through the 9th and 10th, Im tried to get through it before I vomited)
Now, I’m really getting sick and tired of guys not being able to get it done in the 9th, whether it be the pitching or the defense. The White Sox lead the major leagues in runs given up in the 9th inning, with a whopping 12! For all you math majors out there, that averages out to one run per game in the 9th inning... that’s horrendous. We aren’t just blowing 1 run leads in the 9th folks, what adds to the frustration is that we are blowing big leads (3 and 4 run leads!) I don’t know what’s more frustrating, the fact that Mark Buehrle and John Danks were screwed out of 2 GREAT pitching performances (again) or knowing that the White Sox have held a lead in every game and are one closer away from a league leading 10-2 record and instead are 7-5.
Think about it sports fans, we have a good team, a very good team, we have had the lead in all 12 of our games. We're leading the league in most offensive categories. Our starting pitching has been tremendous. Our problem is our bullpen and our defense. Ozzie needs to give Santos a shot at the closing job and the defense needs to focus and catch the baseball. That’s it, we do that and we are a dangerous team with a stellar record. We've blown 4 games and are still above .500, that shows how much talent we really do have.
Just remember the Sox have been playing great baseball (until the 9th) once we get over this hump the wins will start stacking up. Try to remember that its early (I mean for God sakes, the Indians are leading our division right now LOL) Lets try to throw this one aside (again) and just focus on all the good and positive things we've been doing. The bullpen will settle in and we will find a closer (hopefully soon) Until that happens, hang in there palehosers.
As Hawk would say, we gotta sinch it up and hunker down right now
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