caulfield12

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 03:47 PM) As much as I want the Sox to win...I have the exact same amount of confidence that they are actually going to pull it out. Cy Chen really needs to come through for us, but knowing him and the Royals they will totally f*** us over once again this season Like when they swept the Tigers in KC and also put up an 8 spot on Verlander, something we've never managed to come close to pulling off? Detroit's a tough out at home, always. And we're going to run into a buzzsaw of good pitching against the Rays. If our hitting, especially with RISP, doesn't pick it up during this homestand, it will all start to look very similar to the 2008 ALDS.

That was over quick. First pitch hunting. How many times are other teams going to bail the White Sox out of our own self-induced problems? And just like the Royals/Sox game Tuesday, all three runs scoring on homers. We're not unlike the 2000 and 2008 offenses at this point. Homer happy, RISP averse, after being great in that area the first 4 1/2 months of the season.

Beckham with a huge chance to atone for his "error" on Yom Kippur.

I think you mean Jordan Danks, Hawk.

Now what do you do here? PH or let Viciedo hit, after a homer and another hit already today?

What errors were made when they scored 3 in the 4th? According to the box score, none. Who had a play they could/should have made defensively? Two two out runs against Liriano the difference. Seems to be a familiar happening. So I guess it was a DP ball that Beckham and Ramirez didn't turn. Gordon? They're focusing the camera on him right now.

Guess not. Hard to hit with those shadows. Had a chance on that 3rd pitch, fastball, couldn't get it. No chance on the slurve.

Dunn wouldn't do it again, would he?

Harrelson disgusted with DeAza.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 03:21 PM) Yeah. It's why I like Buehrle and Sale. Usually they are going to give you 7 strong innings. Peavy for the most part is like that, but has been less good the second half. Just wait until 2014 or 2015. Even you'll probably be agreeing those contract dollars for Buehrle for what he's producing at that point just aren't logical.

Seems one of the key plays of this game was Choo making that catch against Rios in the bottom of the 1st. Baseball is always going to be a game of inches.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 03:14 PM) Is Liriano a free agent? I wonder what team will be dumb enough to sign him. It's one thing to have an inconsistent reliever. It doesn't work when the guy is a starter. What do you think Floyd and Danks have been since 2008? The definition of inconsistency, although their good stretches were probably better than anything Liriano has done for the Sox, he at least pitched pretty well in 5 of his first 6 starts for the Sox. At least there's one cute girl in the stands today. There's that.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 03:10 PM) With normal defense, we are leading 2-1. Or you can just say the fourth would have ended 1-0 What happened for those who were sleeping at 3:00 am, lol? I know Liriano had 4 walks again from reading the box score. Maybe you don't want to throw Cantzler any more fastballs?

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 03:09 PM) We've done well against Cleveland this year. We're just losing this game right now We had a streak of either 5 or 6 in a row coming into this game over the Indians, something like that. I think 6.

That didn't last long.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 03:03 PM) Quintana out after 4 pitchers, 2 outs. He should still be good to go on Friday? Yep. Smyly threw 11 pitches in relief on Thursday and started on Sunday night. No problems.

This would be just Kluber's second win of the season in 11 tries. The other win? Against the Tigers, of course. Doesn't seem like it was worth starting this game at 1 to get YOUK's bat in the line-up.

Guess he trusts Quintana over Septimo at this point. Interesting. A little bit like how the Tigers used Smyly in a key relief situation (against OAK), not sure if he was going to be starting or not on the weekend.

Well, just woke up to find out we were losing. At least Viciedo seems to be picking it up a bit here at the end of the season. Not sure if they can afford to start Liriano again over the final 8, but maybe no choice. Wonder if that means Quintana's spot will get skipped, too? Going to have to manage that rotation on a game-by-game basis.

If the first of the three-game set between the Indians and White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field is any indication, playoff baseball is here early. The White Sox snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Cleveland on Monday and remain one game ahead of the Tigers in the American League Central after Detroit also came out victorious. Chicago was on the verge of losing a season-high sixth straight and losing sole possession of first place in the Central until an eighth-inning three-run homer by Adam Dunn changed its fortunes and put the club back in the win column. Tuesday's matinee will be the first of five remaining games the White Sox and Indians play against each other this season -- the two will close out the season with a three-game set at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Chicago also has four games with the Rays while Detroit finishes its season with nine games against the Royals and Twins. Fully aware they can play a huge part in who wins the Central based on their remaining games against Chicago, the Indians plan to battle hard with their best players in the lineup down the final stretch of the season. "That's what we're doing," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "We'll try to put the best team on the field. You've got to respect the game." The Indians are trying to avoid their first last-place finish since 1991, and first since joining the Central division in 1994. Dunn said now is not the time to be taking any team lightly and that teams like the Indians, who are out of the postseason picture, can be especially difficult this time of the year. "September is tough because, again, when you are facing teams that aren't in it, they are going home and they know they are going home," Dunn said. "They are playing teams that they have a chance to eliminate. "That's their playoffs and also you are going to face pitchers late in the game when it matters that you haven't faced." Chicago will be counting on a big outing from Francisco Liriano, who has been inconsistent over 10 starts, and 11 apperances, with the White Sox. Liriano is 3-1 but has a 5.09 ERA over 53 innings of work and has just one victory over his last five starts. Cleveland will counter with Corey Kluber, who has one win in 10 starts this season to accompany a 5.36 ERA.

Umm....maybe if you're Sascha Baron Cohen and filming BORAT and happen to be Jewish yourself. But I don't think that's the case, here.

George SadallahThis game is on Manny's shoulders. The entire complexion of the game was changed as Manny sat on his thumbs in the dugout when White Sox stole 2nd base and was clearly out. There were 5 outs that inning and a run. Manny, I hate to say it, but you got to go!!!! You do not stick up for your players, why would I want to play for someone who does not have my back?... 33 Minutes Ago· ReplyChiefOahuMoulds71 -- No. Different personnel, different teams. About last night, Hammy sounded like he was calling a Chicago game, not a Cleveland game. Dude had to stop himself from shouting "ball game!" at the end. ... 1 Hour Ago· ReplyJuan In Walton HillsWhy did Acta do this and that. The Indians are evaluating players. They're not trying to win games. They're like the Browns and Cavs. They're getting guys "experience". You silly people think Cleveland has sports fans like in other cities where the teams try to WIN? The rebuilding capital of the wold and you haven't figured this out yet? 7 Hours Ago· ReplyMyTribeJuan, how does that explain not putting a pinch runner in for Kotchman in the ninth inning? If anything, that would be such a no brainer specifically because it gives Acta a chance to see if he can rely on Donald or LilliBridge top pinch run, and it gives LaPorta one more shot to show us something if the Indians did tie the score.... 5 Hours Ago· Reply razelmeSeriously, with Detroit winning earlier, if the Sox don't beat the Tribe, they should be criminally liable, and they sure don't deserve to win the division. ...8 Hours Ago· ReplyjoenotafanNeither do the Tigers.... 8 Hours Ago· Replyrazelmejoe, it's pretty sure the central division winner won't go to the WS this year but there's talent in the division, except for the Tribe. It will be competitive, but the Injuns have secured last place for years to come. Pity....Juan In Walton Hills likes this.User ID:7 Hours Ago joedeanNot having an effective LH reliever to face Dunn really hurt. R Perez is hurt; Hagadone hurt himself and Sipp couldn't get me out ( and I can't hit a lick) ... 8 Hours Ago· ReplyjoenotafanWith decent situational hitting, it should have been 7-2 when Dunn came to bat....User 8 Hours Ago· Reply twoleggedratboyI am a life long Reds fan and Browns fan, so I see the Indians headliners on this site a lot. I tell you I LOATH that fat bloated corpse Adam Dunn. I wish the Tribe was good, I don't begrudge them anything. ... 8 Hours Ago· Replynetfish26Paul -- I know you have to write about this stuff every night, and it's tough. I understand. However, Sale getting "knocked around" because he gave 3 runs in 7 innings -- and, in typical Indians fashion -- with 10 hits. 10 hits and only 3 runs. Haven't even check the walks yet....User 8 Hours Ago· ReplyMyTribeIndians lost three runners on the base paths, presumably hit and run plays where the batter did not make contact with the ball....User ID: 7 Hours Ago MyTribeSo, can someone explain why Kotchman was still on first base instead of LilliBridge or Donald pinch running for him? My theory is Acta did not want to put LaPorta into the game in the bottom of the ninth in the event that the Indians had tied or taken the lead. If Acta is going to be that petulant, he should be fired, now.... 8 Hours Ago· ReplyjoenotafanDunn didn't do the Indians in--they did themselves in. It should not have been close. This game was a microcosm of the whole season: Three double plays, one balk, absolutely pathetic situational hitting, three runners caught stealing, Acta, like Hargrove, ruining young pitchers. Wasted opportunities. This is the worst Indians team I have ever seen. I didn't watch the last couple of innings. I simply went to the score, clicked on "gameview" and followed the debacle. Not as painful as watching the game, and a lot less emotionally draining. Let's face it--the Indians don't know how to win--the entire organization is a loser. A few players give their best--the rest of them--well their best simply isn't good enough.... ReplyMyTribeMcAllister may have had Dunn struck out prior to his first home run. The pitch was on the lower end border of being a strike, I think the ump gave it Dunn because he is a vet and the though of McAllister throwing three by Dunn in a row was not something the ump wanted to do. Why not let Lillibridge PH for Marson against his old club? How many exIndians have had great games against the Tribe? And how many times did Lilli get clutch hits against the Tribe? Or even LaPorta for Marson? Or is LaPorta already a goner? But maybe we are giving Acta a lot of credit for even thinking about strategy? This also includes his bench coaches! Did any of them suggest something or are they allowed to? Most times I see Acta standing by himself looking like Chief Wahoo!... 8 Hours Ago· ReplyView more itemsMyTribeThe other question, why not pinch run Lillibridge for Kotchman in the ninth inning? Answer, because that would have forced Act to put LaPorta in the game in the bottom of the ninth had the Indians tied the score. A faster runner disrupts the poor throw to second base on the double play ball, the runner at first is possibly safe instead. Acta's personal feelings got in the way of actually doing the right thing, and this flies in the face of what he just said a day earlier about trying to win at all costs. I think not pinch running for Kotchman with two fast runners on the bench is a fireable offense.... 8 Hours Ago· ReplyjoenotafanThe whole season is a fire-able offense. Trouble is, it's the FO needs firing. An incompetent, short-sighted, pathetic management.... 8 Hours Agolbj4gloryYeah, that's a fine idea. Let Lillibridge -- the human error machine who bats below .200 -- into a game that has any meaning. With all due respect, he is not a major league-caliber player.... 8 Hours Ago· ReplyMyTribeHe would have just been a pinch runner. Lillibridge has speed, don't that take away from him too....

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 06:59 PM) Yeah, they have no idea how many games are left. You should send them an email to remind them. Tigers did the same thing, using the LH Smyly against the LH dominant Twins' line-up. Ended up losing that game, and Porcello was pushed back from Sunday to Wednesday. So the team trailing in the race made an even riskier, more dramatic move than the White Sox would be starting Santiago.

Doubt the Tigers outdraw the White Sox by 11,315 today. Not without Verlander on the bump. And maybe Sox fans jump back onto the bandwagon after last night's dramatic victory ending the losing streak. There was a similar turnaround game in 2005 (Riske/Crede) and from that point onward, the team played relaxed again and cruised through the playoffs and World Series. Still, I seem to remember they lost 2 of their first three in DET or just a really agonizing loss there...or two. The impression I had was that if that ball that was NOT snared at 1B to end the clinching game got past Konerko and down the RF line, we still might have ended up not going to the playoffs. Of course, had Veal surrendered another hit in that inning, it probably would have felt like the end of the season to nearly everyone. Thornton was one pitch away and then it nearly got away from them yet AGAIN.

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Indians, as promised by manager Manny Acta, gave the White Sox their best shot Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Adam Dunn, unfortunately, was more than willing to return the favor twofold. Dunn hit two homers, the second a game-winning three-run drive in the eighth inning, as Chicago beat the Indians, 5-4, and retained their one-game lead in the AL Central over Detroit. The Tigers beat the Royals, 6-2. On Sunday, Acta called Vinnie Pestano his most consistent pitcher this season. Monday night Pestano was uncharacteristically inconsistent and it cost the Indians a chance to play spoiler. Pestano (3-3) surrendered Dunn's three-run game winner on a fat 0-2 pitch with two out in the eighth. "They beat our best guy out of the pen," said Acta. "Walks got us to where we are today and they hurt us again." The Indians have a good winning formula. It's worked only 63 times this season, but it's usually foolproof. They need the starter to go at least six innings with the lead. Then comes the bullpen, usually in this order: Joe Smith, Pestano and closer Chris Perez. Monday night the formula almost worked again. Zach McAllister, born about two hours from Chicago in Chillicothe, Ill., made his second impressive start of the season against Chicago. He went six innings, allowed two runs and struck out seven. More importantly, he handed Smith a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Smith struck out the side in order before passing the baton to Pestano. Pestano retired the first batter, but walked pinch-hitter Dan Johnson. He retired Alejandro De Aza on a grounder to first as Johnson went to second, but Kevin Youkilis singled off Jack Hannahan's glove at third to bring Dunn to the plate with two on. Dunn has struck out 207 times this year. Pestano, ahead in the count, 0-2, was just about to make it 208 when he made a mistake. "I wanted to come in and move his feet, but I pushed it up and out right into his barrel," said Pestano. It was the first time Pestano has allowed a homer on an 0-2 pitch in his career. "Vinnie has been terrific," said Acta. "That's why you can't complain about him at all. He's done an outstanding job. "The walk to Johnson hurt him and he could have executed better on the 0-2 pitch to Dunn." It was the sixth time this season a Tribe pitcher has allowed a homer on a 0-2 pitch. Twins pitchers have allowed 12 homers on 0-2 pitches. McAllister struck out Dunn in his first two at bats on nothing but fastballs. He tried the same strategy with two out in the sixth, but Dunn drove a 1-2 pitch high into the ivy behind the center-field fence for homer No. 40. If he'd hit it any higher, it would have had a vapor trail. Dunn has six seasons of 40 or more homers. He joined Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, Albert Belle and Jermaine Dye as the only White Sox to hit 40 or more homers in a season. McAllister was making his first start at U.S. Cellular and he had a bunch of family and friends among the crowd of 20,206. "I don't know how many people were here, but I left a lot of tickets," he said. McAllister grew up rooting for the Cubs. "I was never a White Sox fan ... never," he said. Said Acta, "Zach was fantastic. He had good life on his fastball. He was throwing it by people." Chris Sale came into the game with a 2-0 record against the Indians, but they knocked the 17-game winner around. The Indians scored three runs on 10 hits in seven innings off the left-hander. They could have had more if they'd hit better with runners in scoring position (0-for-6). Asdrubal Cabrera gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a two-out double in the third. Russ Canzler made it 3-1 with a two-run homer in the sixth. Shin-Soo Choo made it 5-4 with a two-out double in the ninth before Donnie Veal earned his first save. "With the exception of my performance, we played a great game," said Pestano. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-5158