White Sox 4 10 0
*Final in 10
WP-Jansen (1-0)
LP- Santos (2-1)
S- MacDougal (1)
HR- Kemp (10), Beckham (4), Mitchell (1)
In a foggy, dream-like moment, on our last out of the game, Russ Mitchell, who has gotten 1 other hit all season, manages to hit a solo homerun just barely fair to tie the game in the 9th inning. We will get to the other miracles that occurred tonight in a bit. Most of the game was of the usual Dodger type, with little offense and a weak showing from Ted Lilly.
The Dodgers started off the game with a Carroll double, and then the Bison came up and crushed a 2-run homerun, his 10th of the season, giving the Dodgers the early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Lilly has a good 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the 1st.
Lilly starts to unravel in the 2nd inning, and our brief lead is washed away when with two outs, Rios doubles, Castro's ground-rule double scores Rios making it 2-1. Then Beckham retaliates after watching Kemp's no doubt abouter and hits a 2-run homerun giving the Sox the 3-2 lead. Lilly dishes up two more singles to Morel and Pierre before finally striking out Ramirez to end the misery.
The Dodgers waste a chance in the third when Carroll singles off of Konerko's arm, Ethier singles, Kemp flies out and Carroll takes third, then Uribe grounds out to end the threat. In the bottom of the inning Quentin gets a 2 out double, and Uribe dives to make a great catch on Rios' flare.
Both pitchers swap 1-2-3 fourth, fifth, and seventh innings respectively.
Lilly and Humber both have similar lines, and both are not involved in the decision.
Humber goes 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts.
Lilly also goes 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts.
In the 8th, we see the usual incompetence by the Dodgers with a bases loaded situation. Thornton comes into relieve Humber, and Sands walks to lead off the inning. Carroll gets a ground-rule double, and Sands goes to third. Ethier strikes out. They intentionally walk Kemp to load the bases up, then they bring in Crain from the bullpen. Castro replaces Uribe who comes out of the game with a strained left hip flexor. I'm not sure if Uribe hurt himself on that diving play he made earlier in the third inning. Aaron Miles was out of the lineup again today due to a strained rib cage. Castro predictably strikes out and Loney follows with his signature groundball to end the inning and strand all three baserunners. Jansen comes into the game in the bottom of the 8th and strikes out Ramirez getting a 1-2-3 inning.
In the 9th, the Sox bring in Santos who begins by striking out the worthless Navarro who does not contribute anything this game other than an intentional walk. Then things start to get foggy. Our usually scheduled programming is changed to a never before seen magical channel. With 2 outs in the top of the 9th, we all get ready to turn off our televisions in disgust for the Dodgers have lost yet another one. Then a parting of the waters miracle occurs...Russ Mitchell hits a solo homerun down the left field line, and somehow, someway it stays fair!! The angels must have nudged it over just that extra bit. Tied game. 3-3.
Jansen stays into pitch the bottom of the 9th and Pierzynski gets a pinch-hit single which lands in front of Sands who is playing center field for the first time in his life in the majors. Let's try not to go that route again for awhile. Jansen strikes out Beckham in a blaze of glory to send the game to extra innings! Jansen pitches 2 scoreless innings, only allowing 1 hit and striking out 2. Now why was it Jansen was unavailable to pitch in back-to-back games the other night? Nonsense.
The 10th inning is almost surreal as Carroll leads of with a single, his 4th hit of the evening. Kemp then singles, then I can't believe I'm writing this...Juan Castro singles in Carroll to give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead. Kemp takes third on the play. Then the magic continues as Loney doubles, yes you read that right, in Kemp, 5-3 Dodgers. Castro takes third on the play. But wait there's more! For some unexplainable but downright funny reason the White Sox walk Dioner Navarro to load the bases. They take out Santos who I guess had been learning the way of the bullpen meltdown from Broxton in afterhour sessions, and bring in Ohman, the former Dodger. Gibbons, who apparently has no trouble seeing with his contacts in the beautiful fog, singles in Castro, 6-3 Dodgers! Mitchell hits into a double play to finally end the comeback rally, but tis ok Russ:)
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| Kenley Jansen Gets His Much Deserved First Win of the Season |
Then things looks like they may go to the wayside as Donnie brings in Matt Guerrier to pitch the bottom of the 10th. Remember, no lead is comfortable when you have a bullpen like we do. Omar Vizquel (he's still playing?) leads off with a single and Juan Pierre follows with another single. Honeycutt goes out to the mound, and we all sigh in recognition of the impending meltdown. Ramirez hits a grounder to Mitchell at third, who makes an excellent play to get him out at first. Donnie thankfully gets the hook, and brings in Elbert to pitch to Ogre. Ogre grounds out, allowing Vizquel to score, 6-4. MacDougal comes in to attempt to get the last out and gets Konerko to ground out!
A real-life Dodger come from behind win! Oh boy did we need that! If I didn't see it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it by the box score! Jansen most certainly deserves that win over Lilly. Dougie gets his first save of the year as well. Remember, this is only our second win ever at U.S. Cellular Field.
I'm still on cloud 9 after that one Dodger fans! Early game tomorrow at 11:10. Garland returns to play on familiar turf for game 2. Go Blue:)
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