By Mark Gonzales
The White Sox have cut their deficit to 1 1/2 games in the American League Central, and manager Ozzie Guillen said getting to the top is the toughest part.
"It's funnier because the closer we get, the harder it's going to be," Guillen said as the Sox hope to complete a three-game sweep of the rival Cubs on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field. " ... Every week it gets harder and harder when you're in the pennant race."
The Sox will be without closer Bobby Jenks, who was placed on the major league bereavement/family medical emergency list.
Here's an inning-by-inning analysis from a Sox's perspective:
The White Sox have cut their deficit to 1 1/2 games in the American League Central, and manager Ozzie Guillen said getting to the top is the toughest part.
"It's funnier because the closer we get, the harder it's going to be," Guillen said as the Sox hope to complete a three-game sweep of the rival Cubs on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field. " ... Every week it gets harder and harder when you're in the pennant race."
The Sox will be without closer Bobby Jenks, who was placed on the major league bereavement/family medical emergency list.
Here's an inning-by-inning analysis from a Sox's perspective:
First inning
John Danks finally gets to pitch against the Cubs for the first time in 2010 after posting a 2-0 record and 0.90 ERA lifetime against them. Danks is aided by shortstop Alexei Ramirez, who ranges far to his right to retire Derrek Lee and end the top of the first.
A trait that has stayed under the radar for the Sox is their ability to advance from first to third base, and Omar Vizquel does that on a single to left by Alex Rios, who steals second.
Paul Konerko, the hero of Saturday's game, strikes out and is 1-for-10 lifetime against Dempster. But the odds are in Carlos Quentin's favor as hit hits a two-run single up the middle to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. Quentin is 5-for-10 lifetime against Dempster.
A.J. Pierzynski strikes out with runners at second and third and predictably slams his bat against home plate.
Second inning
Danks needs only 19 pitches to get through the first two innings. The defense comes through again. Carlos Quentin, sporting a beard, has to scamper back to the right field fence but robs Aramis Ramirez of an extra base hit.
The Sox miss an opportunity to pad their lead as Alexei Ramirez steals second, but Gordon Beckham obstructs catcher Giovanny Soto's throwing attempt while missing a third strike, so Ramirez and Beckham are called out to complete a double play.
Third inning
The heat has a significant effect on fly balls, as evidenced by Aramis Ramirez's drive in the second in which Quentin had to retreat quickly.
Quentin, however, can only look as rookie Tyler Colvin gives the Cubs a 3-2 lead on his three-run home run over the right field fence. After needing only 19 pitches to get through the first two innings, the Cubs have an easier time solving Danks with three hits in the third.
The Cubs, meanwhile, are ready for the Sox's running game as Soto nails Rios easily on a steal attempt with Konerko at the plate.
Fourth inning
Danks' body language suggests he's started to labor more than he would like. He barely missed on a 2-2 pitch to Alfonso Soriano before missing badly on the next pitch to walk him and put runners at first and second.
Alex Rios extends his glove to make an exceptional catch of Soto's line drive for the second out, and Danks escapes damage by striking out Jeff Baker.
But the Sox are starting to look out of sorts against Dempster. Pierzysnki swings wildly at a two-strike pitch in the dirt and doesn't bother to run to first base for the second out.
During Alexei Ramirez's at-bat, Pierzynski can be seen slamming the top of a Gatorade cooler.
Fifth inning
Danks hangs an outside pitch that Marlon Byrd pokes into center field, and the Sox's problems are compounded when Danks throws a wild pitch that puts runners at second and third.
Lee follows with a double down the left field line to extend the Cubs' deficit to 5-2, and reliever Tony Pena starts to throw in the bullpen as pitching coach Don Cooper visits the mound while wearing a pullover windbreaker as the temperature rises to 86 degrees.
At the plate, the Sox look even more uncomfortable against Dempster, who doesn't allow a Sox runner to reach second for the third consecutive inning.
Sixth inning
Danks is pulled after allowing a leadoff walk to Soriano, and Pena gives up an RBI double to Soto that extends the Cubs' lead to 6-2.
Danks simply started to fade after the second and labored in every subsequent inning. The ERA by the Sox's starting pitchers in the past 18 games swells from 1.94 to 2.29.
After striking out twice, Konerko finally gets some payback on Dempster by smacking a home run into the left field seats. Konerko ties Frank Thomas for the franchise record of hitting at least 20 home runs in 11 seasons.
Seventh inning
Pena pitches a scoreless seventh and keeps the rest of the bullpen fresh.
But the Sox are cheated out of a promising rally against the determined Dempster as first base umpire Bruce Dreckham calls Alexei Ramirez out at first base after hitting a grounder to short.
Television replays show that Ramirez was safe, and the normally reserved Ramirez shows his displeasure as Guillen argues the call while home plate umpire Gary Darling scowls at the Sox's dugout.
Eighth inning
Pena is starting to run out of gas, and the Sox recognize it after he allows a homer to Soriano that went from a routine fly to a home run that landed in the bullpen. Randy Williams makes his first appearance since June 11 but allows an RBI double to Starlin Castro and a run-scoring single to left-handed hitter Tyler Colvin that extends the Cubs' lead to 8-3.
Left-hander Sean Marshall relieves Dempster, and the Sox counter with pinch-hitter Dayan Viciedo to lead off the eighth, but Viciedo grounds to short.
Ninth inning
It's Scott Linebrink time, and the Sox's veteran reliever has an opportunity to lower his 10.57 ERA over his past eight games.
Linebrink succeeds with a scoreless inning in which he strikes out Derrek Lee and induces Aramis Ramirez to ground into a double play.
The Cubs take no chances by bringing in Carlos Marmol, who throws a 96 mph fastball past Quentin. But Mark Kotsay and Pierzynski keep the Sox alive by drawing walks. Gordon Beckham's two-out RBI double keeps the rally alive, and Juan Pierre hits a two-run single to cut the deficit to 8-6.
Pinch hitter Andruw Jones walks on five pitches to bring up Alex Rios. After two balls, Darling calls a strike on a breaking pitch that appeared out of the strike zone, but Rios ends up striking out to end the game.
John Danks finally gets to pitch against the Cubs for the first time in 2010 after posting a 2-0 record and 0.90 ERA lifetime against them. Danks is aided by shortstop Alexei Ramirez, who ranges far to his right to retire Derrek Lee and end the top of the first.
A trait that has stayed under the radar for the Sox is their ability to advance from first to third base, and Omar Vizquel does that on a single to left by Alex Rios, who steals second.
Paul Konerko, the hero of Saturday's game, strikes out and is 1-for-10 lifetime against Dempster. But the odds are in Carlos Quentin's favor as hit hits a two-run single up the middle to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. Quentin is 5-for-10 lifetime against Dempster.
A.J. Pierzynski strikes out with runners at second and third and predictably slams his bat against home plate.
Second inning
Danks needs only 19 pitches to get through the first two innings. The defense comes through again. Carlos Quentin, sporting a beard, has to scamper back to the right field fence but robs Aramis Ramirez of an extra base hit.
The Sox miss an opportunity to pad their lead as Alexei Ramirez steals second, but Gordon Beckham obstructs catcher Giovanny Soto's throwing attempt while missing a third strike, so Ramirez and Beckham are called out to complete a double play.
Third inning
The heat has a significant effect on fly balls, as evidenced by Aramis Ramirez's drive in the second in which Quentin had to retreat quickly.
Quentin, however, can only look as rookie Tyler Colvin gives the Cubs a 3-2 lead on his three-run home run over the right field fence. After needing only 19 pitches to get through the first two innings, the Cubs have an easier time solving Danks with three hits in the third.
The Cubs, meanwhile, are ready for the Sox's running game as Soto nails Rios easily on a steal attempt with Konerko at the plate.
Fourth inning
Danks' body language suggests he's started to labor more than he would like. He barely missed on a 2-2 pitch to Alfonso Soriano before missing badly on the next pitch to walk him and put runners at first and second.
Alex Rios extends his glove to make an exceptional catch of Soto's line drive for the second out, and Danks escapes damage by striking out Jeff Baker.
But the Sox are starting to look out of sorts against Dempster. Pierzysnki swings wildly at a two-strike pitch in the dirt and doesn't bother to run to first base for the second out.
During Alexei Ramirez's at-bat, Pierzynski can be seen slamming the top of a Gatorade cooler.
Fifth inning
Danks hangs an outside pitch that Marlon Byrd pokes into center field, and the Sox's problems are compounded when Danks throws a wild pitch that puts runners at second and third.
Lee follows with a double down the left field line to extend the Cubs' deficit to 5-2, and reliever Tony Pena starts to throw in the bullpen as pitching coach Don Cooper visits the mound while wearing a pullover windbreaker as the temperature rises to 86 degrees.
At the plate, the Sox look even more uncomfortable against Dempster, who doesn't allow a Sox runner to reach second for the third consecutive inning.
Sixth inning
Danks is pulled after allowing a leadoff walk to Soriano, and Pena gives up an RBI double to Soto that extends the Cubs' lead to 6-2.
Danks simply started to fade after the second and labored in every subsequent inning. The ERA by the Sox's starting pitchers in the past 18 games swells from 1.94 to 2.29.
After striking out twice, Konerko finally gets some payback on Dempster by smacking a home run into the left field seats. Konerko ties Frank Thomas for the franchise record of hitting at least 20 home runs in 11 seasons.
Seventh inning
Pena pitches a scoreless seventh and keeps the rest of the bullpen fresh.
But the Sox are cheated out of a promising rally against the determined Dempster as first base umpire Bruce Dreckham calls Alexei Ramirez out at first base after hitting a grounder to short.
Television replays show that Ramirez was safe, and the normally reserved Ramirez shows his displeasure as Guillen argues the call while home plate umpire Gary Darling scowls at the Sox's dugout.
Eighth inning
Pena is starting to run out of gas, and the Sox recognize it after he allows a homer to Soriano that went from a routine fly to a home run that landed in the bullpen. Randy Williams makes his first appearance since June 11 but allows an RBI double to Starlin Castro and a run-scoring single to left-handed hitter Tyler Colvin that extends the Cubs' lead to 8-3.
Left-hander Sean Marshall relieves Dempster, and the Sox counter with pinch-hitter Dayan Viciedo to lead off the eighth, but Viciedo grounds to short.
Ninth inning
It's Scott Linebrink time, and the Sox's veteran reliever has an opportunity to lower his 10.57 ERA over his past eight games.
Linebrink succeeds with a scoreless inning in which he strikes out Derrek Lee and induces Aramis Ramirez to ground into a double play.
The Cubs take no chances by bringing in Carlos Marmol, who throws a 96 mph fastball past Quentin. But Mark Kotsay and Pierzynski keep the Sox alive by drawing walks. Gordon Beckham's two-out RBI double keeps the rally alive, and Juan Pierre hits a two-run single to cut the deficit to 8-6.
Pinch hitter Andruw Jones walks on five pitches to bring up Alex Rios. After two balls, Darling calls a strike on a breaking pitch that appeared out of the strike zone, but Rios ends up striking out to end the game.
Mark,
Did you know that back in the 50's or 60's, I'm not sure which that the cubs went two years without a manager, and just let the fans call the plays.
Another time they hired a hypnotist to come in and hypnotize the cubs into winners.
Obviously neither one worked. LOL
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
Cody,
That was the worst called game I have ever seen, it was like the umpires were "on the take" and a couple of obvious blown calls screwed us right out of that game.
It makes you wonder where MLB gets these thick headed misfits who come across like they have never seen a baseball game before.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
Mike,
Boy have you got that right, my whole family were cub fans and when I was born my mother told my dad, "This kid is not going to be a cub fan, he will have enough disappointments in life without adding that to it."
Nothing like your mother to give you good advice.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
Tom,
Well I hope what we will see is a sweep of the Royals.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
"Go cubs Go" and "fake Dragon 2" are the same person.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
Mike Check,
I guess you have a point about Beckham, as long as we are winning, "if it ain't broke don't fix it."
By the way, the jackass cub fan is back on, posting under my name, but I think anybody who has read my posts will know the difference.
His writing and imitation of my pet orangutan, Lou, is so juvenile that I think he is a teenager whose mother has him in bed by 10 o'clock so we probably won't hear from him any more tonight.
That's all I have to say about that.
Yes, keep Beckham, I just threw that out as a thought, but your post convinced me otherwise.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
b
I feel we should of kept Willie Harris from a couple of years ago,we can sure use his speed. We are finally above 500 and on our way to a World Series title. Oh wait I just soiled myself from getting so excited. That's ok Dragon at your age that happens, anyway pop "Lou" another bud light.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
WORLD SERIES FOR THE SOX..DELIRIOUS WITH AGE
SOX WINNING STREAK OVAHHH...CUBS WIN CUBS WIN...SUCK IT SOX FANS!
Beckham had a home run on Friday, a triple on Saturday, and a base hit on Sunday, and everyone is still on his ass. Leave him be ! The team is winning, and he is playing a very good defensive 2B. There is nobody in the minors that we can bring up who will do better.
If you look at a lot of the top rookies from last season (Nolan Reimold, BAL)(Rick Porcello, DET) they are struggling also.
Did you know that when Mickey Mantle was a rookie with the Yankees he got sent down to AAA Kansas City for a couple of weeks, then came back to make the Hall of Fame?
Maybe a couple of weeks at Charlotte might do wonders for Gordon Beckham.
At this point everybody needs to produce or we will be back where we started, and we are only a game and a half out after being 91/2 out and fighting to stay out of the cellar just over two weeks ago
We just cannot let ourselves fall back again.
I know we have had trouble with Kansas City, but that was early in the season and a sweep there this week will "separate the men from the boys." and we won't be looking back because we will have first place and will stay there.
I think that losing to that class A team today might just put some fire under the boys so they won't get over confident at Kansas City.
We are going to win this thing, I feel it in my ancient bones.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
Any way you slice it, those are 2 really bad baseball teams.
500 on either side of town will be surprising.
Sox start playing major league baseball tomorrow night. We will see what we will see.
Mark,
You got that right, those north siders were the most inept baseball team I have seen since I was a student officer at the Infantry School at Ft. Benning Ga 55 years ago and used to go out all the time to watch the Columbus Catfish, a class A team in the old South Atlantic league, a far cry from the "bigs" and had no hope of winning the league championship
Today watching the cubs I thought I was having a flashback of the Columbus Catfish.
That that team was able to beat us today is a damn disgrace, but someone told me, you can't win them all, so it would be nice if we started a little 8 or 9 game winning streak to set us up in first place at the All Star Break.
I think the Twins hold on 1st place will soon be over, and we can beat Detroit.
I do not want to back into this thing, I want to win it outright, and I am convinced that we can do just that.
"Hey! Dragon, some speech, now hand me my Yankee hat and pop me another Ruperts Lite."
I'll pop you if your not careful Mr. disrespectful.
Sir Dragon of Mulberry
STICK WITH THE SOX
Went back and checked - here are the numbers:
Today marked the 11TH TIME, the Sox had an opportunity for a sweep against these guys since this series started in 1997. They've only been able to pull it off twice...which means nine times the Cubs won the last game of a three game set to save some face.
Here's the breakdown:
Sox win the first two games in - 99, 00, 02, 03, 03, 05, 06, 06, 08, 10, 10
Sox sweep - 99 (at Wrigley), 08 (at U.S. Cellular.)
------------------------------
Green Eggs:
Go have another beer or ten to drown your sorrows on this garbage team and clown organization. LOL
Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley, Michael Barrett...you guys need some mental specialists...of course you have to be pretty screwed up to want to play for that clown organization in the first place.
Mark Liptak
The umpires were screwing the sox over the whole game.
If memory serves this is the 12th or 13th time the Sox have had a chance to sweep these clowns and yet they only been able to turn the trick two or three times.
These guys are like Dracula, you can't kill them (i.e. get the sweep...)
Mark Liptak
Cub fans aren't born. They are made that way by grown ups.
Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the national league. By Steve Goodman........Go Sox Go, Go Sox Go, / Hey Chicago what do you say the Sox are going to sweep today.