Well………Game 2 in Tampa didn’t go as well as Game 1. I’m not saying the White Sox didn’t have any chances to shut the Rays out–they had plenty, just could not come through in the end.

Bartolo Colon started the game for the White Sox again. Before the game, I was particularly curious to see how he would fare after his excellent first start. He is one of the keys to White Sox success in 2009.

I did not come to see the game until the 5th inning. 68 degrees in April is too nice to be inside watching. I figured I would just catch the last few innings, and that is what I did.

When I came in, the score was 2-1, White Sox lead. The Rays scored a run to tie the game in the 5th to make it a 2-2 ballgame. The top of the 6th was the big inning for both teams. Carlos Quentin led off the inning with a solo shot that was his fifth of the season. I missed it while doing a good deed for my brother checking the New Jersey Devils score. I don’t like to miss home runs, and that’s why Jim Thome gets on base for a homer by Jermaine Dye, that I was able to see.I was beginning to feel comfortable with a 5-2 lead.

But Bartolo Colon struggled in the 5th inning, and that carried to the 6th inning. He loaded the bases, and then was taken out by Ozzie Guillen. Matt Thornton came it to pitch, and bases loaded………sense any foreshadowing? To make a long story short, grand slam, I don’t want to talk about it.

The White Sox almost made a comeback in the ninth. Two outs were quickly made, until pinch hitter Wilson Betimit singled. Brent Lillibridge (who is listed as 5’11, but I swear he is shorter) was the pinch runner, and quickly stole second. He reminds me of the Scotty Pods of 2005. Chris Getz walked, and then again, Brent Lillibridge steals third. Unfortunately, Josh Fields popped up to end the game, and the White Sox lost 6-5. Here are the current AL Central standings:

Kansas City: 6-4
Detroit: 5-4*
Chicago: 5-5
Minnesota: 5-7
Cleveland: 3-8

*Still playing

3 Stars of the Game:

1. Ben Zobrist: Grand slam.

2. Carlos Pena: Home run.

3. Jermaine Dye: Two-run home run.

Brett Pill had a great game in Connecticut, going 3-for-3 with a double and two singles in a loss to Trenton. This moves his average up to .362. Keep it up Brett, you’re doing great!

 

 

If you don’t recall, the White Sox were eliminated from playoff contention thanks to the Tampa Bay Rays. There was nothing I wanted more than to see the White Sox just take the first game back from the Rays in 2009 at the Trop.

And thankfully, that’s exactly what happened, as the South Siders went on to win a close one, 3-2.

John Danks was on the mound for the White Sox against Joe Niemann, who, by the way, is 6’9 and 260 pounds.

The game started out in the favor of the Chicago White Sox. In the second inning, Jim Thome walked, and up came Jermaine Dye. He hit a ball to left field…..stretch……STRETCH!!! But no wind against the ball…..He looks up……And you can put in on the board……….YES!!! Sox up 2-0.

The game continued as a stalemate for a while until the 6th inning. With Jermaine Dye at the plate, Hiemann delivers a pitched and Jermaine hits it down the line. The third baseman picks it up and easily gets JD. But JD never ran to first. Apparently, the ball hit his foot first, which would mean it’s a foul ball. Right after the play, Tampa Bay threw that ball in their dugout, and tried to get another one out. But the evidence was too much. JD’s cleat was dented a bit, and the ball had a large mark on it. Joe Maddon, the Rays manager, argued against the call, but was ejected. The Sox loaded the bases, but failed to score any runs. Later in the bottom of the sixth, Carlos Pena hit a solo home run to narrow the White Sox lead to only one run.

Octavio Dotel and Matt Thornton held off the Rays for Bobby Jenks in the ninth. The White Sox added an insurance run to make the score 3-1. A walk, a hit, and an error allowed Tampa Bay to score a run, but it was not enough, as Bobby Jenks gets the save.

Many runners were stranded on base in the win, and offensively, the White Sox could ahve done better at hitting in runners on base. But the only statistic that matters is a win so I am happy.

3 Stars of the Game

1. John Danks: 6 innings pitched, 1 run, and 2 hits.

2. Octavio Dotel/Matt Thornton: Both did a beautiful job holding the Rays to nothing.

3. Jermaine Dye: 3-for-5, with a 2-run homer, and 2 singles. Also did a great job making his case for the “hit” off his foot.

Last night, Brett Pill went 1-for-4 in Connecticut’s season opener, with I believe a single. Tonight, he got a rest, but was 0-for-1 in a pinch hitting job. Good luck!