Well, it wasn't J.J. Putz's fault, he wasn't in the game. It was Matt Thornton, who owns a blazing fastball, who pitched the bottom of the 10th and Jim Thome hit one a mile to send the Sox to a heart-breaking loss, 7-6. Thome hit a 2 run homer in the last of the 10th inning to give Minnesota a 4 game cushion in the AL central. Time is running out on the Sox.
The Sox battled back from a 4-0 deficit, to go up 6-5 on a Ramirez RBI to set up the late dramatics. That's the rub, the Sox have been losing in the late innings on walk-off Home runs. That kind of loss takes something out of a team.
They've been playing Just under .500 ball for a month now and it is catching up to them. Plus, they are 4-9 vs. the Twins, and that can't happen if you are trying to beat a team you have trouble beating. The Twins have the Sox's number, it is simple as that. Konerko hit his 30th, Mark Kotsay hit his 8th HR, as he has continued to hit for extra bases. The Sox have made the hits, they just can't get the outs when they need 'em.
Gavin Floyd goes to the mound for the Sox in what has to be an almost must-win game. Francisco Lariano starts for the Twins. The Twins find a way to beat the Sox, period. The White Sox got a 9th inning HR by Alexei Rodriguez and another RBI in the 10th to take a lead, but the bullpen couldn't close the deal. If you have a leaky bullpen you have problems, and the Sox have been walking a tighrope in the late innings with the inconsistent pitching of closer Bobby Jenks. He has been out trying to forget about the bad games he's been in, so he can be the commanding presence he has been. He is slated to re-join the team mid-week.
It has been an interesting season for White Sox baseball. Let's hope there are more meaningful games to play.
