April 27, 2015

White Sox collect two wins in one day

Yesterday was a fantastic day to be a Chicago White Sox fan. They collected not one,but two wins over a division opponent on Sunday afternoon.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

Picking up in the 9th inning where the suspended game with Kansas City left off, White Sox closer David Robertson began the game on the mound in the top of the 9th inning. In that inning, Robertson retired all three men he faced, striking out all three batters. He continues to be an amazing signing for the Sox.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

In the bottom of the 9th, with two outs, Melky Cabrera drew a walk. After a wild pitch where Cabrera moved into scoring position I could sense the win coming. The Royals intentionally walked Jose Abreu to bring Avisail Garcia to the plate. After the first pitch where Garcia fouled the ball straight back, Hawk Harrelson pointed out on the broadcast that there was a big gap in left center as the Royals were shading to the right.

Garcia then took an inside fastball and stayed inside on it, hitting the ball to the open gap in left center that allowed the White Sox to walk off with the 3-2 win in the first game.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

In the 2nd game, John Danks pitched very well despite giving up three runs on five hits over six innings. Danks struck out six batters on the day and walked just one. Danks was down 3-0 going into the bottom of the 6th when the White Sox rallied.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

Edison Volquez, who was pitching under appeal of his suspension in Thursday’s brawl, was virtually unhittable through the first five 1/3 innings. Then with one out, the rally began. Adam Eaton singled with a line drive to center, then Melky Cabrera drew a walk, before a wild pitch moved Eaton to third. Jose Abreu then reached on an error by Mike Moustakas that could have ended the inning on a double play. Eaton would score to cut the lead to 3-1. Adam LaRoche then singled to center to cut the lead to 3-2 and put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a hard single by Avisail Garcia to load the bases, Alexei Ramirez would come to the plate. But yet he would strike out to leave it up to Conor Gillaspie to try and tie the game. Gillaspie on a 2-1 count would go right with a fastball on the inside corner hitting a line drive down the right field line to score two runs and put the Sox ahead 4-3 and knock Volquez out of the game. Jason Frasor would then enter the game and allow an RBI single off the bat of Tyler Flowers to right field giving the Sox a 5-3 lead.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

Jake Petricka would pitch a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 7th. He would stay on the mound and allow a lead off double in the 8th before being replaced by Zach Duke. Duke would get the first two outs before Eric Hosmer would step to the plate. Hosmer would crush a first pitch fastball to deep left that appeared to be a game tying 2-run homer off the bat. However, Melky Cabrera would make an amazing play at the wall leaping up and making the catch robbing Hosmer of a homer.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

David Robertson who had already pitched earlier in the day, came in for the 9th inning and despite allowing two singles, Robertson would get the save and secure the White Sox 2nd win of the day. What a great day to be a Sox fan!

Tonight at 7:05pm ET the Chicago White Sox (8-9) will begin a 3-game set with the Baltimore Orioles (9-10). Hector Noesi (0-2; 5.23 ERA) will face off against Ubaldo Jimenez (1-1; 2.30 ERA). The the Sox rotation for the rest of the series is yet to be determined as Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzjia are appealing their five game suspensions and a ruling is yet to be determined.

LET’S GO WHITE SOX!!!

April 25, 2015

Sox-Royals game postponed in 8th

Last night the Chicago White Sox (6-9) and Kansas City Royals (12-4) met again on the field one night after tempers flared in Chicago. See my prior blog post for more on that.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

Jose Quintana started on the mound for the White Sox and pitched well. He allowed two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out five over seven innings. Thanks to his offense in the bottom of the 7th, he was in line for a no-decision when he left the game rather than a loss.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

With the Sox down 2-1 and the rain pouring down, Adam Eaton tripled to lead off the 7th and would score on a sacrifice-fly off the bat of Melky Cabrera to tie the game at 2-2.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

The game would continue in the pouring rain for another inning before it would be suspended. It was set to resume today, with this afternoon’s game to immediately follow, however,the rain continues today and both games have been postponed. Friday’s suspended game will pick up in the top of the 9th inning on Sunday at 2:10pm ET, with another game immediately to follow. The game for Saturday has not yet been scheduled.

April 24, 2015

Chicago brawl overshadows extra inning loss

This was a wild one. I don’t even know where to begin.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

In last night’s game between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals, tempers from both teams were out of control. With the score tied a 2-2 in the bottom of the 7th after the White Sox had rallied from an early 2-0 hole, Adam Eaton was at the plate against Royals starter Yordano Ventura with two outs. On the 2nd pitch, Eaton hit a fastball right back to Ventura. Ventura made the play with his glove and as he was walking the ball to first base to causualy toss the ball there for the 3rd out of the inning, he stared at Adam Eaton and you could see him mouth the words: “Fuck you!” as he tossed the ball to first.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

The benches then cleared as Eaton and Ventura had to be separated. Jeff Samardzjia of the White Sox began charging at Lorenzo Cain, he was shoved down and Kansas City pitcher Edison Volquez took a swing at him and thankfully missed. At the end of the over five minute scuffle, five players were ejected: Ventura, Volquez and Lorenzo Cain for KC and Sale and Samardzjia for the White Sox.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

Supposedly after the game, Chris Sale went looking for Ventura in the visitors locker room. KC ended up winning the game 3-2 in 13 innings, but it is the fight that took the headlines.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

What started it? Rumors have it that Adam Eaton yelled something at Ventura first, although I did not see that on the Sox feed I was watching. Yet you are able to see it on the Royals feed. It also could have started when the Royals seemed to be upset after Sale celebrated when he recorded the last out of the top of the 7th inning.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v86817583

It could have begun when Ventura “quick pitched” Eaton on the 2nd pitch, I could understand if Eaton did not like that and said something to him then. Either way, manager Ned Youst of KC did not like his young pitchers actions after the game saying that basically he needs to grow up. Watch this video for more insight.

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v86806783

Either way, the remainder of this series is going to be VERY interesting.

April 22, 2015

Sox record shutout for win

This afternoon the Chicago White Sox would win today 6-0 over the Cleveland Indians to take just their second series of the season. It was defiantly one of the best games they have played thus far. And it was against Indians ace Corey Kluber none the less.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

Jose Abreu had a big day going 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI’s. He got the Sox off to a fast start with yet another solo homer in the 1st inning. It is his 5th homer on the season. In the 3rd, he grounded into a double play but it did allow a run to score. Then in the 7th , after the Sox had a 5-0 lead he sealed the game with an RBI double.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

Jeff Samardzjia pitched well for Chicago allowing on runs on six hits, two walks and three strikeouts over six innings for his first win in a White Sox uniform. The bullpen also did well as Dan Jennings, Zach Duke and Jake Petricka allowed no runs, each pitching an inning of work.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

The Sox will now begin another series with a division opponent: the Kansas City Royals. It is a 4-game set beginning Thursday at U.S. Cellular Field.

April 22, 2015

Rodon makes debut as Sox fall to Indians

Last night the Chicago White Sox fell to the Cleveland Indians 6-2.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

Hector Noesi lasted just 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits (two homers), walking one and striking out five for the White Sox. The Indians Carlos Carrasco, making his first start since being hit in the face with a line drive, pitched five innings, allowed just one run on four hits, walked none and struck out eight.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

The lone run Carrasco allowed was a solo blast by Jose Abreu in the 1st inning.

The Indians bullpen of a combined six pitchers held the Sox to just one run over the final four innings as the Sox were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the game.

(Jon Durr/Getty Images)

Carlos Rodon of the White Sox did make his MLB debut entering the game in the 6th inning with two runners on in a 2-1 ballgame. Rodon would walk the first batter he faced in Brandon Moss before allowing a single on an eight pitch at bat to Sox killer Ryan Raburn that scored two runs, both charged to Noesi. Rodon would get Lonnie Chisenhall to ground out to end the inning.

Rodon would return for the 7th and walk the first to men he faced as his nerves were clearly evident. After a sacrifice bunt to move the runners, Jason Kipnis would hit a sac-fly to left to score a run off Rodon. Michael Brantley would then single as the other walk would score before Rodon would record the final out of the inning.

Rodon would return for the 8th and despite allowing a double to Raburn, Rodon would allow no runs and record his first MLB strikeout, getting Lonnie Chisenhall to to go down swinging. His final line would be 2 1/3 innings pitched, allowing two runs on three hits, walking three and striking out one.

April 21, 2015

White Sox rally in 9th for improbable win

Things were looking about as bleak as can be. It was the bottom of the 9th inning with one out already recorded.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

The Indians Trevor Bauer had dominated the Sox on this night. He had now exited the game, but he pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out seven batters. The Indians bullpen had not yet allowed a hit to this point as Nick Hagadone, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen had been used in specific spots by Tribe manager Terry Francona to prevent the White Sox from putting together any sort of rally. The Sox had not had a hit since Avisail Garcia singled to lead off the 7th against Bauer as the Sox trailed 3-0.

Now Garcia was standing at the plate again, this time facing Indians closer Cody Allen who was perfect in save opportunities this season. Down 0-2 in the count, Garcia laced a hanging curveball down the 1st base line that stayed fair right over the bag. Garcia would end up at 2nd base with a double. After a walk to Conor Gillaspie followed by a wild pitch, the Sox had runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out and Alexei Ramirez at the plate.

Ramirez, who has been struggling so far this season crushed a ball to deep center field that went over the head of former infielder and now converted outfielder Mike Avilas. That double would allow two runs to score and put the tywing run on 2nd base with still one out. Tyler Flowers would follow that with a single to left, but Ramirez had to hold putting runners at the corners with Gordon Beckham now at the plate.

Beckham, since returning to Chicago this season has been swinging a pretty hot bat so my hopes were high. And on the first pitch he saw he singled between short and 3rd allowing Ramirez to score to tie the game at 3-3!!! I was listening on my radio on 670 the score and I went crazy along with Ed Farmer and Darren Jackson. It was awesome.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

The Sox were not done. Adam Eaton would then single to left to load the bases and bring newly acquired Melky Cabrera to the plate. On a 3-2 count and on the 7th pitch of a battling at bat, Cabrera hit a ball deep to left center of a drawn in infield that fell to the ground and allowed the Sox to walk off with a 4-3 victory!!!

(David Banks/Getty Images)

The win improved the Sox to 5-7 on the season and gave closer, David Robertson who pitched a solid top of the 9th his first victory in a White Sox uniform. It also got John Danks off the hook who actually pitched well allowing three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out four over six innings.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

Credit is due to Dan Jennings who pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings to keep the score where it was when the Indians could have broke it open.

(David Banks/Getty Images)

It was an amazing win that hopefully will propel the Sox to great heights in the coming weeks ahead.

April 20, 2015

White Sox call up Rodon

Before the game tonight, the Chicago White Sox have made a few changes to their roster which should bring some excitement and anticipation to the ballclub.

(Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

They purchased the contract of pitcher Carlos Rodon from AAA Charlotte. Rodon, the organizations top prospect is expected to begin his MLB career out of the bullpen. There is a strong chance that he could be moved to the starting rotation by season’s end, but the Sox don’t want to rush that.

Additionally the Sox recalled Jake Petricka from the 15-day DL and place Javy Guerra on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation. The Sox also designated Kyle Drabek for assignment.

Rodon, the number 3 overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft is the big key. We will see if he makes his debut tonight or sometime this week.

The Sox will begin a 3-game set with Cleveland tonight.

April 19, 2015

Tigers flip the script

Yesterday, the Chicago White Sox destroyed the Detroit Tigers 12-3. This afternoon, the Tigers flipped the script on the Sox,winning in convincing fashion 9-1.

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Jose Quintana had perhaps his worst outing as a player lasting just four innings on the mound while giving up nine runs on ten hits, walking one and striking out one.

Yoenis Cespedes took Quintana deep twice as he hit a grand slam in the 1st and then a 2-run blast in the 3rd inning. This guy is good. I am still baffled that the A’s let him go a few years ago.

That is pretty much the story of that game. Their is not much else to say as the Sox fall to 4-7 on the season.

April 19, 2015

Sox destroy the Tigers in a route

Yesterday’s game was beautiful.

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Chris Sale was on the mound and he pitched fantastic. He allowed two runs on four hits, walked one and struck out six over six innings. He allowed an early run off a Miguel Cabrera single in the 1st inning and allowed a solo homer to J.D. Martinez to lead off the 4th, but that was about it. He had good control and command and battled through a tough Tigers lineup for the win.

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

It obviously helped Sale that he received a ton of run support. In the top of the 3rd after an Adam Eaton walk and stolen base, Melky Cabrera would hit a double to the right field gap that would tie the game at 1-1. After a Jose Abreu single that put runners at the corners, Adam LaRoche who has been swinging a hot bat as of late stepped to the plate and hit a 3-run blast to right to put the Sox ahead 4-1.

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

In the 4th, the Sox put the game away early. The Sox loaded the bases with one out and Melky Cabrera delivered an RBI single to keep them loaded for Jose Abreu. Abreu on a 2-2 count crushed a ball over the wall in left-center for his first grand slam of the season to put the Sox ahead 9-1. They would tack on two more runs in the inning collecting three singles, a wild pitch and a sacrifice-fly to make the score 11-1.

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Adam LaRoche would make the score 12-2 with his RBI double in the 5th as the Sox would finish with a 12-3 win. Cabrera, Abreu and LaRoche combined to hit 10-for-16 with 10 RBI’s, six runs scored and two homers.

April 17, 2015

White Sox fall in pitching duel

It was a day game pitching duel.

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

David Price vs Jeff Samardzjia. Detroit vs Chicago.

I was at work, so I did not watch it live, but I am thankful for DVR functionality on my MLB.TV subscription to be able to watch this without knowing the score, fast-forward through commercial breaks and watch the game in a few hours. And although the outcome was not what I desired, it was a great game.

Price allowed one run on four hits, walked two and struck out nine over eight innings. Samardzjia allowed one run on eight hits, walked none and struck out seven also over eight innings.

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Sadly it was Jose Iglesias who hit a walk of single in the 9th and acted like he won the world series puffing his chest out and acting like he was the best player on the planet. Act like you’ve done it before dude. Ugh. I hope he gets hurt again. Jerk.