caulfield12

And then you have the "Core Four" in Pettite, Jeter, Rivera and Posada who they developed/signed on their own. I'm still waiting for the central argument of this thread, Marty. Exactly WHO should be involved in White Sox business? Scott Merkin? Chris Rongey? Buddy Bell? Robin Ventura? I'm not understanding what you're even positing as a theory with that thread title. Wait, let me guess. KW should be fired because even though our system is producing lots of players, it's not being well promoted? Hmmm.... I can just see the JR press conference on that one. "Despite our team being in first place, due to the fact that Kenny Williams hasn't reached out to Keith Law, Kevin Goldstein/John Sickels, Phil Rogers, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, etc., I've had to fire him as our General Manager." Ridiculous.

Floyd with the bend but don't break pitching performance. XB hits all over the diamond...nice swings by Tyler, Paulie and Alexei. DeAza continues to be a threat, although it would be nice if he got his OBP over 300. Great Sox defensive effort this season continues, bullpen with only the blip by Crain against Boesch. Morel showing signs the last 2-3 games. Beckham and Dunn, ugly. But he at least had that RBI double against Balester. Sets up an important chance for Chris Sale to lead the sweep and announce his presence as a rising force in the AL.

Not since McDowell, Ventura, Frank Thomas and Alex Fernandez.

At least Gordon's protected from another K today. Crazy the White Sox and Tigers have the same number of homers this season.

Nice swing there, Paulie. Almost more excited to see Santiago again, but we'll take it. Every hit this game except for Viciedo's has been for extra bases. Closing in on 400 homers. Okay Rios, I take back my "despise" comment. At least you make contact, albeit weakly, MOST of the time. That U-Verse multiview is the like the Blair Witch Project, makes me dizzy. So annoying.

Nice that they could save Thornton for tmrw, as needed. Ventura needed to get Crain some work, and the 4 run lead allowed for it. Also didn't have to use Addison Reed. The other trend you have to like here is the Sox adding on runs throughout the game instead of shutting down offensively.

12 k's/26 ab's, 0/11 against LHP. Uh-oh. Let's not start this trend again in 2012. Nacionales off to a great start this year, putting some pressure on the Marlins/Phils/Braves from the get-go. Probably Crain's last batter, then to Thornton? Or the 4 run lead leaves him in as long as he gets Jackson out?

C'mon Adam, end the 0-10 string against LHP this season.

CLUTCH, DeAza. Something we haven't seen much of in the last 12 months. DeAza is Mr. XB hit this week.

Don't know what to say with Gordon anymore. He hit one ball hard foul and almost had a hit down the LF line? He just kind of has that "deer in the headlights" look up there now. Maybe sending him down would allow him to relax and get back to basics, away from the spotlight. The problem is that we need his defense.

Avila getting killed the last 2 innings. And then one ball was crushed off his face mask.

QUOTE (sunofgold @ Apr 14, 2012 -> 04:08 PM) Great inning by JC Jesus Crain.....anticipating some screwballs to make a later appearance in this game. Would rather see Jones mopping up a 7 or 8-0 lead.

QUOTE (MAX @ Apr 14, 2012 -> 04:01 PM) Jeez. Take it easy. He had one strike to work with. I'm just saying, other than Beckham, he's the last person I'd want up at the plate with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs. Agree? Bullpen looking dominant, but you'd love to see a couple more runs tacked on here for additional insurance against that line-up. Still, like the feeling that you can turn it over to the bullpen and get some goose-eggs.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 14, 2012 -> 04:02 PM) Isn't Alexei a pretty darn rotten bunter? Didn't he bunt into a triple play last year? Yep, I think it was against CLE early in the season.

QUOTE (sunofgold @ Apr 14, 2012 -> 03:58 PM) Dunn was .286 against RHP this year, that has to go up now. I just wouldn't let Dunn face a single lefty (.000). nice rbi, adam! 5/15, .333 against righties, 0/10 against lefties.

Thanks a lot Rios, for reminding us why many Sox fans despise you.

Konerko knows he just missed his 1st homer there...and patented bat drop/shoulder shrug. 50% of Rios ab's result in pops to the right side. The other 40% are grounders to the left side. Can Rios actually get an RBI here?

Morel definitely has the RF power stroke going, as opposed to the pull-hook power one. Dunn 2 for his last 19, mostly K's. Yay, 5 for 25, back to .200.

OUCH. Right in the throwing shoulder.

I think it will be Colin Ballester here for the Tiggers.

Gavin playing with fire and skating off scot-free. Whew. Nice to have that nervous feeling at the pit of your stomach again after 2011. And nice to see a grand slam not result.

Wilk has to be out of the game. Got hit in the dugout by Fielder's liner.

33025 attendance. Take that, JR and KW.

Hanging curve, Jackson 3/3 and looking very good this season, at least so far. Boesch has failed to advance Jackson three times in a row. Not the optimal 2 spot hitter, must be driving Leyland nuts.

Unfortunately we can't use Flowers as a DH against LHP because that means AJP would have to play everyday. Lillibridge is the only option. Unless we brought up Gimenez or Phegley as a 3rd catcher.