Pierzynski's HR downs Tribe, 4-3 posted by richard Kagan

Perhaps the Chicago White Sox will look back on their season and say that their 4-3 road win against the Indians was a big one.

Credit catcher A. J. Pierzynski with coming up with a clutch three run HR in the top of the 9th to break a 1-1 tie.  The Sox held on to top Cleveland 4-3.  Edwin Jackson pitched into the 9th to notch his 3rd win with Chicago since arriving from Arizona in a late summer trade.  The win puts the Sox 4 games behind first place Minnesota in the AL Central. 

In the top of the 9th, Alex Rios and Carlos Quinton walked and I had the thought that walking batters is going to come back to haunt you.  A.J. Pierzynski made sure of that.  He took an 0-1 pitch deep to right and Chicago took the lead.  Manny Ramirez was on deck when A. J. hit paydirt.  The Manny show will have to wait another day.  This was a big win on the road in the midst of a pennant race.  Jackson pitched strongly until the 9th inning when he got in a jam and gave up a 2 out single to which made the score 4-3 Sox.  Bobby Jenks gave up a base-hit and got the third out with the winning run in scoring position.  The Indians made it interesting in the 9th inning but the White Sox held on.

Jenks is Jinxed But Sox Prevail, 10-6 over Indians posted by richard Kagan

The White Sox pounded out 21 hits and scored 10 runs.  It could have been more like 15 runs, if the Sox made their hits count.  But backed by Alex Rios' strong night at the plate, going 5 for 6, including a home run, the Sox were able to withstand a 9th inning meltdown by closer Bobby Jenks. 

Jenks, it appears, has lost it.  He gave up 3 runs, 2 of them earned and the Indians tied it 6-6 in the last of fhe 9th.  But the Sox scored 4 runs in the top of the 11th to pull ahead 10-6.  The lineup is producing hits.  The Sox don't need a hit machine in Manny Ramirez, they need a closer.  Any takers?  It's going to be a wild stretch drive for the Sox...if they can get some outs, they might have a chance.

Manny Headed to ChiSox posted by richard Kagan

Manny Ramirez, who electrified the city of Los Angeles while a member of the Dodgers, was claimed off waivers and will be heading to the Chicago White Sox.  While this addition is going to add plenty of buzz in Chicagoland, and will make the lineup of the White Sox formidable, time will tell if this is the answer that Chicago needs.

It says here, that the Sox need relief pitching. You can't homer your way to the post-season.  But you can pitch your way into it.  And, the Sox sorely need a revamped BP.  Two pitcher are on the DL, and the closer, Bobby Jenks, has been shaky of late.  Jenks has talent.  But like all closers, he walks a tightrope and sometimes falls. 

Like in basketball, there was only one Michael Jordan.  In the relief pitching world, there is only one Mariano Rivera, and the NY Yankees have him.  Rivera is almost lights out every time he approaches the mound.  Sometimes he gets hit, but it is as rare as getting hit by lightning, perish the thought.

The Manny Show will come however to the South Side.  Credit General Manager Ken Williams for pulling off this heist.  Manny will briing fans to the park, and make games watchable.  Lately, some of them have been un-watchable, as the Sox have repeatedly blown leads late in games.  Or can't find a hit that will break open a game.  Manny can provide that hit.  The question is, How is his curveball?

Sox Lose A Tough Game, 2-1 to Yanks posted by richard Kagan

It's getting toward crunch time and the Chicago White Sox wasted scoring chances only to fall 2-1 to the NY Yankees in Chicago before a sold-out crowd.  It was a picture perfect day for baseball and Gavin Floyd pitched well but not well enough for the win, in giving up 2 runs.  Rookie pitcher Ivan Nova did him better, going 5 2/3 innings while allowing a Juan Pierre single to drive in Gordon Beckham. 

The Sox hitters were shut down today and they just couldn't put the hits together when they needed them.  The Sox had the bases loaded with two outs in the 6th inning but failed to score.  Other opportunitiess were also wasted.  Good teams take advantage of their opportunities and the Sox failed to do that today.  Their loss was the 9th in their last 14 games.

After a torrid June and early July, the Sox have cooled off considerably and have fallen out of the Divsion lead, 4 1/2 games behind the Twins.  Don't expect the Twins to blow it.  They are too good a team.  If the Sox are to compete down the stretch, the team needs to start playing better or say "sayonara" to this season.  The potential acquistion of Manny Ramirez will not jump start this team.  They have eough pop.  They have to start playing smart, sharp baseball.

The long season is a grind. Paul Konerko has had a great hitting year, He's batting over .310, has hit 32 Homers, driving in almost 90 runs.  It would be sad to waste that great year.  But the Sox could make it interesting if they get hot again. 

ChiSox Top Yanks, 9-4 posted by richard Kagan

The Chicago White Sox scored in bunches to put away the New York Yankees 9-4 on Friday night in Chicago.  The Sox put up two 4 run innings to take control of the game.

The White Sox came out early and scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by A.J. Pierzynski's double which scored two runs.  The Sox also got a nice performance from pitcher Freddy Garcia (11-5) who kept the Yanks off balance all night.  Garcia went 7 innings and ate up some innings.  The bullpen has been battered, and reliever E. Threets possibly re-injured himself and had to be taken out of the game.  Both Matt Thornton and JJ Putz are on the DL.

The Sox needed this win badly.  Tomorrow they face C.C. Sabathia, one of the best starting pitchers in the league.

John Danks (12-8) is scheduled to pitch for the Sox who need a great outing from him tomorrow.  If the Sox are going to stay in this AL Central chase, they need to continue to win games.  And, even though Sabathia is the mound, the White Sox need to show that they will find a way to get to him and make him throw a lot of pitches.  The more pitches he throws, the greater a chance to make a mistake on a pitch.

Pair of Triple Crown candidates duel it out posted by David

Albert Pujols and Joey Votto are having monster seasons.  Not only are the sluggers leading their teams in the playoff hunt – the Cardinals are 1.5 games back in the Wild Card race while the Reds lead the NL Central – but Pujols (.321, 34 HR, 93 RBI) and Votto (.326, 31 HR, 90 RBI) are the top two National Leaguers in each of the Triple Crown categories.  Both have strong cases for the MVP award, but if either one wins the first Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967, it would be awfully hard for the voters not to choose him as the league’s Most Valuable Player.

How ‘bout that?

How about Billy Wagner?  The 39-year-old anchor of the Atlanta bullpen has saved 30 games, holds a 1.68 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, and did not give up a run in the entire month of June (11.1 innings, six hits, five walks, 17 strikeouts).  Wagner plans to retire at season’s end, and with the Braves currently leading the NL East, he’s looking for his first crack at the World Series and the opportunity to go out on top.

How about Carlos Gonzalez?  The Venezuelan outfielder is enjoying a fine year in his first full season as a big leaguer, hitting .320 with 26 homers, 84 RBI’s, and 20 stolen bases.  His batting average, .569 slugging percentage, and .922 OPS put him behind only Pujols and Votto in the National League.  Rockies fans can look forward to many years of watching Gonzalez display his talents at Coors Field.  At 24, he has a very promising career ahead of him.

How about the Twins?  Despite almost getting no-hit and losing three of four to the Rangers earlier this week, the Twinkies are 27-13 since the All-Star break, and hold a three-and-a-half game lead over the White Sox in the AL Central.  After losing cleanup man Justin Morneau to injury the week before the All-Star break, several Minnesota players have stepped up to the plate.  Since the break, birthday boy Jim Thome (now 40) is slugging .651, Delmon Young and Jason Kubel have driven in 33 and 32 runs, respectively, in 39 games, and Joe Mauer has raked to a line of .399/.476/.594 with 32 RBI’s in 36 games.

Bullpen Falters, Sox Drop 3 Games Behind Minnesota posted by richard Kagan

Where is Bobby Jenks when you need him?  The Chicago White Sox lost two tough games to Detroit, both in the late innings over the weekend, to fall 3 games behind the hot Minnesota Twins.  The Twins are a good team.  You have to play well to beat them, and the Sox haven't figured out how to do it against them.  Their upcoming series will be telling.

But the losses against the Tigers were tough to take.  Leading 2-1 in top of the 9th, J.J. Putz grooved one to a hitter who belted a two run blast to sink the ChiSox, 3-2.  Then yesterday, leading 7-5 going into the 7th, the bullpen folded and gave up 8 runs in 3 innings.  The Sox lost that game, 13-8.  That was a game Chicago really needed.  Trailing 5-4 in the last of the 6th, Alexei Ramirez hit a two out single to drive in Andruw Jones.  Then Paul Konerko connected on the first pitch he saw to drive a 2 run Homer.  The Sox had a 7-5 lead and it looked good, until the bullpen couldn't get anyone out.  They made the Tigers lineup look like Murderers Row, or the BoSox when they are hitting on all cylinders.

But the excitement fizzled and the energy evaporated into thin air.  Now, Chicago trails the Twins by 3 games heading into an almost must win situation.  They can ill afford to be swept.  They have to find a way to take 2 out of 3.  And start winning games.  The Sox were playing so well for so long, it was bound to catch up to them.  And, it did, smack in the middle of a Division race.  There is time to recoup but not much time. 

Jenks On The Spot for Chisox posted by richard Kagan

White Sox closer Bobby Jenks is on a short leash.  He has blown some ugly games, the most recent allowing Detroit to tie the game in the last of the 9th inning when Ray Raeburn when a 3 run HR with 2 outs.  The Tigers tied the game, but lost when Mark Kotsay drove in 2 runs with a triple.  That was a big win for Chicago.  But Jenks' high-wire act has to tone down.

You can't have your closer serving up critical home runs late in the game.  That's what happened in Seattle.  When the Mariners won on a walk-off blast.  Jenks has a 5.13 ERA since the All-Star break, not exactly breaking any Bob Gibson records.  One more late gaffe by the closer, and he may be demoted.  The Sox have a strong bullpen.  There are some live arms back there,  But Bobby Jenks late inning failures are sure to stand out, and that could change the complexion of the bullpen if it happens again.  Sergio Santos, Mark Thornton, and Scott Linebrink will see more innings in bullpen relief.

Big Series in Detroit for ChiSox posted by richard Kagan

There is still plenty of baseball to be played.  It is early August.  But as the season winds down, you come face to face with your division rivals.  And, the Chicago White Sox play a doubleheader against Detroit on Tuesday.  This isn't a do or die series, The Sox lead the Tigers by 6 games in the standings.  But for all the hard work they have done in recent weeks, the Sox can ill afford to have a bad series in Detroit.  If they split their games, or win 3 out of 4, they will be in very good shape. 

The Sox are neck and neck with the Twins, and it looks like this Division won't be settled till late September.  But, baseball is a day at a time, and you need to take care of what is in front of you.  So, it would be prudent for the Sox to bring their A game against a dangerous Tiger team.  The Tigers play well at home and will be pumped up.  So, the Sox need to be ready.  The stretch drive isn't that far away now.  So, the Sox need to match Detroit's energy and show some poise.

Sox Obtain Jackson in Trade; Stymied in Getting Manny posted by richard Kagan

You know, baseball is a funny game.  The Chicago White Sox have rescued their own season by winning games, and are a season high 14 games over .500 at 58-44.  Now, the front office wants to get into the act.

The White Sox added pitcher Edwin Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Earlier this year, Jackson through a no-hitter.  He might be the first pitcher ever traded who has pitched a no-hitter for a club.  Jackson can pitch and give you innings.  The Sox gave up young promising pitcher Daniel Hudson and a minor leaguer prospect.   Jackson is to replace injured Jake Peavy in the starting rotation. 

Now, one hears of the last minute efforts to acquire Manny Ramirez, who is on the DL, from the Dodgers.  Ramirez, one of the feared hitters in the game would be an addition to any team.  But the White Sox don't need him now.  They are hitting just fine.  Last night they pounded out 13 hits in a win over Oakland.  Guys are warming up.  Alexei Ramirez, no relation to Manny, is one of the hottest hitters in the AL.  He has risen his BA from .235 to .290 in a little over a month.  and Gordon Beckham is coming out of his season long slump.  He is regularly getting 2 hits a night.  And driving in runs. 

The Sox don't need Manny.  They need good pitching and the offense to continue to produce.  Paul Konerko is hot, and hit his 4th straight homer the other night.  Carlos Quintin has 20 HR's.  Let these guys bring you over the finish line.

Manny not in White Sox's lineup Tuesday

Manny Ramirez is not in the starting lineup for his first gamewith the Chicago White Sox. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB

Teixeira back in Yankees' lineup at first base (AP)

Mark Teixeira is back in the New York Yankees' lineup after missing a game with a bruised right thumb. Teixeira sat out Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. He was at first base and batting third Monday night for the opener of a four-game series against Oakland. The star slugger hurt his thumb making a diving stop Friday night and left Saturday's game after two innings. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Source: Ramirez expected to join White Sox (The Canadian Press)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Nova gets first win, Yankees beat White Sox 2-1 (AP)

Ivan Nova attracted headlines for all the right reasons this time. He set aside any worries he had about a Major League Baseball investigation and earned his first career win, Marcus Thames hit another homer and the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Sunday. It was an impressive outing for Nova (1-0), who allowed one run and five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in 5 2-3... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Teixeira out of Yankees' lineup with bruised thumb (AP)

Mark Teixeira was scratched from the New York Yankees' lineup against the Chicago White Sox because of a bruised right thumb. He was penciled in to bat third and play first Sunday after leaving the previous night's game, but the plan changed after batting practice. Teixeira, batting .257 with 28 homers and 91 RBIs, left after fielding Gordon Beckham's routine grounder to end the second... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports