caulfield12

Morel, Sierra (from Shakira's hometown) was 4/5 with two doubles, Gilmore and Kenny Williams, Jr., with offensive honors. Trayce Thompson 1/3 with another 2B. Batting .344, did make a fielding error. A catcher (Sierra) that weighs 150 pounds? Is that accurate?

Ozzie saying he can't lose confidence in his players....that he has to stay with Jenks until he proves to the coaching staff that he can no longer get the job done. Danks changing speeds and throwing strikes, wouldn't take the bait he was one of the best lefties in baseball. Complains Paulie doesn't show up until we're trailing or tied in games, haha. Making mistakes on the "little things" will knock us out of race quickly...all the execution failures in the late innings were REALLY REALLY bugging Ozzie. Have to do it, no matter how, you have to do get the job done in order to compete, etc. Also couldn't come up with the big hit in the first inning, run scores only on a wild pitch. Very little clutch hitting so far with this team, just solo homers and late inning heroics. 2nd, 6th, 7th situations, as well as first inning, all big disasters in terms of fundamentals execution and hitting (solid base hits) with RISP. Might move Teahen up to AJ's spot....Ozzie seriously thinking about what to do about AJ's slump.

Congrats Ozzie, you needed that...to prove your decision-making process (by gut, not by the book) to stay with Danks against Gutierrez and not to pull Jenks for Thornton against Ken Griffey, Jr. both worked out. Of course, you were really DUMB not to have Thornton warmed and ready for a LH PH. Then again, it's going to kill Matty if we have him warming up or pitching in 120 games. No matter how easy/repeatable his delivery, he can't take that kind of stress/duress all season long. It's only April 25th, after all. Konerko: April Player of the Month A. Jones/Alex Rios: April Comeback Player of the Month AJ/Ramirez/Pierre/Becks=FAIL...FAIL...FAIL

Mauer and Morneau with back to back doubles off Soria. 4-3 Royals, 1 out, runner on second. The Twins are never out of any game, even against any elite closer, not with the middle of that line-up looming. Thome up, now 2 outs, chance to tie or take the lead. K's on 3-2 count, 86 MPH change-up low and outside, nice pitch Joakim. PHEW!. 5 game lead now.

Got away with it. We might have the most nail-biting closer in my memory now since THIGGY.

Ozzie got played by Wakamatsu since he didn't anticipate KGJr pinch-hitting or warm up Thornton.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 03:54 PM) Nice throw by Alexei there. Farmer said he's getting more behind his throws now....better fundamentals. Not so flat-footed or trying to show off his arm and make routine plays close. Pierre's arm means automatic double there. It could really come back to haunt us in this situation, that extra base. Jenks hasn't thrown anything harder than 91 MPH. Griffey in, Thornton in or Ozzie's fired on the spot. (DESPITE THE FACT WE MAY KILL HIS ARM/SHOULDER)

Slider or curve to get that out? Pitch speed said 88, had to be a hard slider or cutter...

Bad omen. Jenks at only 89 and 91 on first two pitches. Tired after consecutive outings?

Odds of Jenks converting save seem at best 50/50. Let's hope, though, we don't see another White Sox pitcher today.

Rupe loads bases after getting 2 outs, but Span is retired. Royals will hand at least 2 run lead to Mr. Soria. Thank God.

Jenks was warming there....I guess to start the 9th tied or leading? We'll never know now. Have a week Paulie. Trade him now!!!!! Haha, just half joking.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 03:44 PM) Whew...made some nice pitches to Franklin. Who pitches the 9th if it's tied? 1) Pena (although I pick Santos) 2) Santos 3) Linebrink 4) Putz (don't trust him with tie game until his FB is crisper) But some really good options, hard decision. Arguments for any of four pitchers can be made.

Give credit to Ozzie there. Trusted Danks, more than most managers...especially after the guy homered off him earlier. Ignored the chance to go to the RHR.

Jesus....talk about bloops and dunkers. It would really suck if Danks lost the lead after those two hits. Danks is staying in, no Pena. At-bat of the game, our best pitcher versus their best hitter (well, maybe after Ichiro). Put him away!!!!

Former Sox farmhand Josh Rupe trying to protect 4-2 eighth inning lead over the Twins. Scary...let's hope he can get the job done, they can't sweep KC on the road, can they?

How has Morel been looking so far this season? Defensively? Anyone seen him play so far?

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 03:31 PM) Like I said, I was fine with not bunting. But Alexei not even trying to hit the ball to right field is inexcusable. Even more upset with AJ not making a productive out in previous inning. I can understand Ramirez failing more than the smartest player on our team, in terms of baseball IQ.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 03:30 PM) Because Juan Pierre doesn't have a chance in hell at getting a runner in from 3rd with less than 2 out and the infield in. Suicide or safety squeeze would be my call to get the run in. (See Carlos Guillen v. Sox, 2000 playoffs)

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 03:28 PM) While I'm happy we didn't bunt, I can't be the only one shocked that Ozzie didn't? You bunt with Beckham to get a runner to 2nd with 1 out, but not with your #9 hitter to get a runner to 3rd? I do know ONE thing, Juan Uribe almost always got the job bunting done or getting the runner in there. Runner doesn't even move 5 feet from 2B. PATHETIC in the late innings, horrible execution with those four guys.

AJ, Ramirez and Pierre=FAIL Wow...surprising. Beckham, start driving the ball up the middle and stop trying to "push" every ball into RF please. (If I'd like to see anyone do this, OTOH, it would be CQ). Poor Danksie. You knew he was hoping for the run to get out of the game with a chance for the W. Well, it's POSSIBLE, I suppose, but Beckham has been a complete mess at the plate.

Like yesterday with Jenks, you're going to have to question Linebrink coming into a tie game over EITHER Santos OR Pena. I could understand NOT using JJ Putz perhaps, but I would much rather see 1) Santos and 2) Pena over Linebrink.

Dreaded KC bullpen threatening to let Twins back into game. Linebrink the next pitcher in? Would we really go with Liney over Pena now?

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 03:14 PM) That was as hopeful a start to an inning and almost as pathetic a result as you could have in the sixth inning against a mediocre, tiring pitcher. We still will win if it's tied late, though. Keep it tied. Vargas has pitched pretty well so far this year. If you saw the stats for 3 of our starting pitchers, you'd say they are worse than mediocre. Is Eric Byrnes the most overrated, overpaid grinder guy out there? GEEZ.

AJ seems like he doesn't even want to be playing for the White Sox anymore? Is he pouting because of all the trade talk? He's usually pretty good at pulling the ball to 2B there and making a productive out. We get a simple groundout (the Quentin GO is the offensive play of the game, that's how bad it is after six) from AJ and we're up 3-2 and Danks is now working with the lead.