You Can Put It On The Board! YES!

A Much Needed Day Off

After winning the first game of the series in Oakland, the Sox lost the final two in some of the wildest games I have ever seen. Tuesday night the Sox blew two 3 run leads. I don't know what else to say about that. Wednesday's game Freddy Garcia kept the team in the game the entire way but the offense just could not give him any runs. But the big story is all of the injuries that this team is facing. This day off today could not have come at a better time.

Pablo Ozuna, Juan Uribe, and Tadahito Iguchi all had to sit out yesterdays game with injuries. A.J. Pierzynski was back after missing the past two games with a toe injury. With A.J. back behind the plate, we needed to fill the other holes in the field. Our backup catcher Chris Widger played 3B, Joe Crede was at SS, and Willie Harris was at 2B. Neal Cotts was also put to work as he was the bullpen catcher. Before the game even started Jermaine Dye told Ozzie that he would play the infield if he needed him to. He did start in RF but he ended up playing SS at the end of the game. Joe Crede was ejected in the top of the 9th so Dye moved in at SS and Timo Perez came in to play RF.



How crazy was that lineup? I just hope we never have to see that kind of lineup again this year.

Good To Go

After injuring his hamstring in his last start, Jose Contreras has tested his hamstring out and is cleared to pitch Friday's game against the Tigers at home. When he threw off a mound the other day, he was pitching fine but who knows how that hamstring will react if he as to run around. If the Tigers are smart, they will bunt a lot to test Contreras' mobility.

Stat of the Year

Late Monday night, only four big-league pitchers were 4-0. What did they have in common? Jon Garland, Jamie Moyer, Dontrelle Willis, and Jon Lieber are all ex-Cubs.

Upcoming Series

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Friday - Sunday

Friday's Starters


Robertson
0-2, 6.46

VS


Contreras
0-0, 3.48

Impressive Win In Oakland

Considering that the Sox have been terrible in Oakland the past couple of years, Monday nights win was very impressive. A 6-0 win over Barry Zito and the A's has the Sox winning streak at eight games. Through six innings, both Jon Garland and Barry Zito were untouchable. But then in the top of the seventh, the Sox came through with some big hits. With one man on, Chris Widger hit a two run shot to left field. It was his first homerun in five years. Carl Everett added a two run double as the Sox scored four runs in the seventh which was plenty of run support for Garland. Jon Garland continued his dominance. He pitched a complete game shut out giving up only four hits. Every time he takes the mound he just keeps gaining more confidence and also looks better and better. It's great to see this kid finally coming through for us.

Player Of The Game

Jon Garland
CG, 0 R, 4 H, 3 K
(4-0, 1.80)



Mr. Ozuna

Are you getting sick of me talking about him yet? Well, if he continues to play the way he is all year long, I am going to be talking about him everyday. Pablo started the game in left field last night and led off for the Sox. He went 2 for 3, scoring two runs and he also stole second base twice. Oh, and he ended up finishing the game playing third base. To have a guy sitting on the bench for a week and being able to put him in the lineup and produce like he does is very hard to find for your ball club. We have to give some props to Kenny Williams for bringing him in to tryout for this team. He had to make the team considering he hit about .530 in spring training. Every time he steps on the field he continues to impress me. Keep it up Pablo!



Injuries

A.J. Pierzynski sat out Monday's game with a toe injury. He was hit by a pitch in the foot during Saturday's game in Kansas City.

Jose Contreras left Saturday's game after only 3 1/3 innings with a sore hamstring. He tested it out yesterday and everything seemed fine. He isn't expected to miss his next start.

Great Pitching Match-up

Two of the hottest pitchers in the American League will face off on Tuesday night. Mark Buehrle will take on Rich Harden.


Buehrle
3-1, 2.61

VS


Harden
2-0, 0.44

It Was Ugly, But A Win Is A Win

If a team commits four errors in one game, most times they are going to get blown out. But somehow the Sox got the job done while playing a very poorly defensive game. A late rally, scoring two runs in the eighth inning gave the Sox a 4-3 victory to get the sweep over the Royals. That is now seven wins in a row and have extended their record to a league best 15-4. Aaron Rowand and Pablo Ozuna came up with the two clutch hits that drove in the tying and go ahead runs in the eighth. Orlando Hernandez was shaky giving up six walks but he kept the team in the game like all the starters have been doing all year. It's fun to watch this team every night pull out wins when the heart of this order is struggling so much. But every game someone steps up and gets the clutch hit to lead the Sox to victory. Today's win gives the Sox their first sweep in a three game series and they have now won all seven series they have played this year.



Ozuna Sighting

Pablo Ozuna is clutch. The 31 year old utility man has been sitting on the bench for about a week and was all the sudden thrown into the game today with two guys on in the top of the eighth. He slapped the ball down the right field line to drive in the go ahead run to give the Sox the victory. He was pinch hitting for Ross Gload so in the bottom of the eighth he was at first base. The guy can do it all! He can play every position for us and is going to be a very valuable guy coming off the bench for us all year long.

Nightmare In Oakland

Do we really have to go? Since the 2002 season the Sox are 2-13 in Oakland and they head there for a three game set starting Monday. Something positive though is that there are a lot of new guys on the team and Oakland has a lot of new faces as well. So hopefully that will mean the Sox can turn things around out there especially since the Big Three are down to one with only Barry Zito left.

Streak Over

Joe Crede's 14 game hitting streak came to an end Sunday as he went 0 for 4.

Upcoming Series

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Monday - Wednesday

Monday's Starters


Garland
3-0, 2.57

VS


Zito
0-3, 6.94

Best Start In Franchise History

It was the year 1901 when the Chicago White Sox made their debut as a franchise on the South Side of Chicago. And 104 years later, the team has set a new record. They are 14-4 and that marks the best start in franchise history for the South Siders. Not only do they now have the best start in team history, but they also own the best record in baseball. An exciting 3-2 victory in 10 innings Saturday night against the Royals and the LA Dodgers losing 8-6, has the Sox with the best record. An amazing start for this franchise!

Jose Contreras left the game after only 3 1/3 innings with a strained hamstring. Too bad for him because he was pitching great. In his short 3 1/3 innings pitched, he gave up one run, on one hit. He was mowing them down striking out six of the 10 outs he recorded. The bullpen did a great job filling in and kept the team in it the entire way. Cliff Politte, Neal Cotts, Jose Vizaino, and Damaso Marte were the pitchers used out of the pen. Marte earned the win as he pitched the final two innings for the Sox. Juan Uribe had the hot bat as he went 3 for 4 with an RBI. Aaron Rowand's bloop single in the 10th drove in A.J. Pierzynski to give the Sox the go ahead run for a 3-2 victory.



Hot Stick

Joe Crede continues his hot streak as he went 2 for 5 tonight. That extends his hitting streak to a league best 14 games.

Going For The Sweep


Hernandez
2-1, 2.50

VS


Bautista
1-1, 6.48

Five Straight

The Sox are rolling winning 8-2 last night at Kansas City to extend their winning streak to five games. Not to mention they are off to one of the best starts in franchise history at 13-4. Both the pitching and hitting has been hot to make a very balanced attack that can't be stopped at the moment. Freddy Garcia was solid last night as he went seven innings, giving up two runs, on four hits, while striking out three. He did more than enough as the offense came up with hit after hit to support him with eight runs.



Speed Kills

Scott Podsednik killed the Royals last night. He went 2 for 3 with three walks getting on base a total of five times. He only scored one run but he made the Royals make mistakes by taking control of the game while he was on base. He had three stolen bases last night which tied his career high for one game. All the attention went to him instead of the batter and this led to an easy win for the Sox.



Hot Stick

Joe Crede continued to hit the ball great last night going 3 for 4 as he extended his hitting streak to 13 games.



Saturday's Starters


Contreras
0-0, 3.63

VS


Greinke
0-1, 3.38

Best Start Since 1935

That's right, the year 1935 was the last time the Sox started the year 12-4. The Sox are rolling and have won four straight games after sweeping two, two game sets against the Twins and Tigers. Clutch hitting and great pitching has led the way. Jon Garland (3-0, 2.57) has been dominating and the other four starters have been great as well. They are definitely in the running to be one of the best rotations in the league.

Who Is This Man?

Joe Crede is off to an amazing start. Batting .296 with 2 HR and 8 RBI, he is off to the best start of his career. With a three run homer on Wednesday and going 2 for 4 today, his hot stick is helping lead the way. Even when he was hitting .240 the past couple years, he was still playing gold glove caliber defense. But if he can hit .300 all year to go along with his great defense, the all-star potential the Sox have been waiting for at 3B will finally arrive. Keep it up Joe!

Upcoming Weekend

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Three game series Friday - Sunday

Time To Finish Strong

Even though its only a two game set, the Sox are going for their first series sweep of the season. No better team than the Twins to do this against. Considering that we don't play the Twins again until August, lets send them home on a rough note. Make a point to them that we are here to take over the Central Division. I am still upset at one man at ESPN (Peter Gammons) for picking the Sox to finish fourth. So lets finish off the series tonight strong and increase our lead in the division.

Hot Stick

Carl Everett is swinging the bat great. All year long he has come up with some big hits while filling in at DH for the Big Hurt.

.333, 4 HR, 14 RBI

Shingo Time

Once again Shingo gave up a homerun while trying to close out a game. It was the fourth homerun he has given up this year. He did close out the game last night to earn his fourth save, but he needs to change something in order to stop giving up key homeruns in the late innings of the ballgame.

A Look Ahead

Wednesday - Thursday @ Detroit

6-8, 4 GB

Time For A Change

While watching tonight's game against the Twins, I became very puzzled during the top of the fifth inning. After realizing what was going on, I noticed that DJ was the only one in the booth doing the play-by-play and commentary. Hawk was either in the booth and decided not to say anything or he was gone taking a break (He is getting up there in age). But I found myself very bored. I think Hawk does a good job but DJ is just terrible. I say its time for a change! We need to bring back Tom Paciorek. That's right, Wimpy himself! Hawk and Wimpy were a great combo. They made things very interesting and very fun while you were watching the game. Ever since Paciorek was kicked out of the booth and DJ took over, things have been very boring. DJ is a tool! When Wimpy was in the booth he could hold his own when he was by himself for a half inning. But listening to DJ tonight by himself was a sign for everyone at home to take a little nap. Hawk and Wimpy together could go on and on about anything during the game. But now listening to the game, Hawk seems to have nothing to say to DJ half the time. I still don't know the exact details about what went down with Mr. Paciorek leaving. I know something had to do with the people upstairs wanting him to change his style but Wimpy was not going to change so he left. Good for him! But I really think the people in charge need to make a change in the booth to liven up things once again like Hawk and Wimpy did in their day.

P.S. DJ, you need to stop saying "YES!" at the same time Hawk does at the end of his famous saying! Just be quiet and enjoy the fireworks.

Two Out Of Three For Fourth Straight Series

Once again the Sox could not pull off a sweep as they have won the first two games in every series this year and then have lost the final. A huge error by Jermaine Dye in the top of the fifth inning led to three Mariner runs and a 5-4 Sox loss. The game ended with Willie Harris being caught stealing second.



Like I have said before, I will take two out of three all year long. The Sox are playing good baseball to start the season going 8-4, tied for first with the Twinkies.

After missing five straight games, Scott Podsednik is expected to start Monday's game.

A big two game series starts tomorrow against the Twinkies. After this short two game set, the Sox don't face the Twins again until August 15. It's a good time for the seasons first series sweep.

Monday's Starters

Lohse
1-1, 6.17

VS


Contreras
0-0. 3.55

Back To Back Gems

Last night Jon Garland was perfect into the 7th inning before he gave up a walk and a hit as he retired the first 19 batters he faced. He ended up going 7 innings giving up two runs, on two hits while striking out three as the Sox won 6-4. Juan Uribe led the way with 4 RBI.



Then today I put the game on at about 1:45 and it was already in the 5th inning. Then I noticed that Mark Buehrle was pitching. He was flying today. The game lasted 1 hour and 39 minutes. He pitched a complete game giving up one run, three hits, and striking out a career high 12 batters. The Sox won the game 2-1. Konerko drove in both runs with two solo shots. One in the 2nd and one in the 7th.

The starting pitching has been great this year. All five starters are going deep into games and have kept the team in reach to win every time they go out there.

2-0, 3.46 ERA
I really like what I see from Jon Garland. I finally think that he is relaxed out there. In prior years he has been counted on to do a lot being the second or third starter. Now that he is the fifth starter I think that all the pressure is gone and he can just go out there and pitch.

Going For The Sweep

For the fourth straight series the Sox will have a chance to go for a sweep or it will be the fourth straight series that they take 2 out of 3.


Meche
0-0, 7.88

VS



Garcia
1-0, 1.93

Two Out Of Three For Third Straight Series

I'll take two out of three all year long. For the third straight series the Sox could not pull off a sweep as they lost last night 8-6 in Cleveland. They fell behind early 4-1 but came back to take the lead. But they couldn't hold the lead giving up one run in the 5th and three runs in the 6th. Pauly K was a bright spot as he hit his fourth home run of the year and driving in three runs.

Never Again



Carl Everett should never play the outfield again for the rest of his career. A regular outfielder would have easily made that play and not try to run through the wall. He is swinging the bat great and we don't need him out in the field to possibly get injured like he did on Thursday night. Ozzie wanted to give a start to Ross Gload so he put him at 1B, Pauly was at DH and Everett in LF. Gload can play the OF. Put Ross in left, Pauly at first, and keep Everett at DH. That's all I have to say about that.

Does It Get Any Better Than This?



How much better can it get? Gary Sheffield almost went after a fan after the fan swiped at his face when going after the ball. This Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is already great and it keeps getting better with something new happening every game. Now that the fans are getting involved, what in the world can happen next? I wish Sheff didn't hold back though and should have jacked the fan as he was about too. Just would have been a better story because to me this really wasn't a big deal as the media is making it out to be. But it still is great.

Up Coming Series

Friday - Sunday

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Sox fans will get their first look at 23 yr old former White Sox center field prospect Jeremy Reed who was sent to the Mariners in the Freddy Garcia deal last year. He is batting .182 with 0 HR, and 6 RBI.

Friday's Starters


Pineiro
0-0, -.--

VS


Garland
1-0, 4.50

Pierzynski's Clutch Hit In 10th Makes Up For Shaky Defense

Twice in yesterdays game, A.J. Pierzynski had two chances to tag guys out at the plate. Both throws were right on line but twice Pierzynski could not catch the ball. But he made up for the two mistakes by coming up with a clutch double in the top of the 10th inning. Joe Crede then sacrificed him over with a bunt and then Juan Uribe drove him in with a sacrifice fly. This was Uribe's second game winning sacrifice fly against the Indians this year.



The bullpen's depth was in full force last night. What an amazing job they did. Damaso Marte came in first and pitched one inning striking out all three batters he faced. Then Luis Vizcaino came in and pitched a perfect inning and a third. To close out the game, Ozzie decided to go with Dustin Hermanson instead of Shingo. Hermanson got the job done for his first save in a Sox uniform giving the South Siders another victory on the year. This just shows how much depth we have and how many options Ozzie has out there. It was definitely a good thing to see just how strong our bullpen really is. The starters are doing great as well as they lead the American League in ERA at 2.44. The entire pitching staff is turning out to be one of the best in baseball this year.



Podsednik Still Resting
Pablo Ozuna played left field again for Scott Podsednik as he continues to rest a sore groin. Podsednik needs to be at 100% to be effective with his speed. It's good to see that he is not going to rush back into things and possibly injure it more.


Thursday's Starters

Orlando Hernandez
1-0, 1.29

VS


Scott Elarton
0-0, 3.38