TLAK

ESPN splits:

Josh got drilled by a liner, I think in the ribs. He developed numbness in his throwing shoulder and they found a blood clot. Very serious business. Luckily, they were able to treat it without operation, (unlike Rueben Hernandez) although the therapy cost him the 2003 season. I was impressed with him last year and if he has his strength and stamina back he could be a good option. But after 6 months out of training, on powerfull meds, it is wise not to rush him. He's had some rough outings going into the good game earlier this week, I wish we could see his pitch count and get a better handle on him. Any spies in Charlotte see him?

5/7 PITCHNG LINES

The more I think of it the Sox really aren't treating Kelly so badly. By DL'ing I believe he's still earning MLB service time. If they were PO'd they could have outrighted him shortly after he started appearing in some games. I'd like to see him back because I feel a situational lefty can be very valuable. I like the option of taking on a good right handed hitter in the middle innings without burning Marte for the night. After he gets his guy, turn it over to Politte and you've still got Damaso and the kerosine kid for crunch time. I think Adkins would draw the short straw because Jackson and Cotts can handle his role. He's only made 6 appearances and Mike and Neal could use some more work. Let's see what happens Monday.

Lineups CHI WHITE SOX TORONTO AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI Juan Uribe 2B .372 4 13 Howie Clark RF .250 0 3 Jose Valentin SS .271 3 8 Frank Catalanotto LF .316 0 12 Magglio Ordonez RF .283 8 23 Vernon Wells CF .237 3 12 Frank Thomas DH .286 5 11 Carlos Delgado 1B .257 5 17 Carlos Lee LF .242 4 10 Josh Phelps DH .270 2 14 Paul Konerko 1B .261 5 13 Eric Hinske 3B .250 3 14 Joe Crede 3B .237 6 14 Gregg Zaun C .571 1 2 Aaron Rowand CF .239 2 6 Orlando Hudson 2B .250 2 12 Miguel Olivo C .315 2 12 Chris Gomez SS .333 1 8 Jon Garland RHP (2-1, 4.15) Ted Lilly LHP (2-2, 4.99)

5/6 PITCHING LINES, DANNY GOT BLASTED, YOUCH!

From todays SouthTown: Nail biter? At one point they showed Cooper in the dugout and I thought he going to bite the end of his finger off, he had two knuckles in his mouth. Billy, Billy, Billy

5/5 PITCHING LINES

That UMP looks scary, he's got Gerry Davis eyes.

From MLB.Com:

5/4 PITCHING LINES

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From ESPN TEAM........GM.TOTAL.. AVG Chicago Sox 14 279,040 19,931

The Detroit Tigers led the league in SH's last year so I don't see a direct correlation to wins. There is a time and a place for everything in baseball, Ozzie stretched the odds by giving up an out that early. Yesterday he was right and I was wrong but I think, if he calls this play so early every game, I'd be right more often over a whole season.

Sunday pitching lines:

I doubt if even the Marlins sacrifice much in the 1st. I have no way to find out, but I doubt it.

I just felt was too early in the game to sacrifice a hitter of Uribe's quality. It's not like tied in the 9th where you get a run and go home. Uribe may have doubled himself and kept the line moving. Batista was there to be had early but I think giving him those outs let him off the hook. Garland threw great but had he pitched to his ERA we would have lost. Would'a should'a could'a ... I still enjoyed seeing the win.

With four today, the Sox now lead the AL with 23 sacrifices in 24 games. The four sacs came after doubles and produced 2 runs, but they also gave Toronto two easy outs against Uribe and Olivo. I won't beef about Maggs and Willies sacs because they were going for hits. I have to question the first one in particular. First inning and Uribe is hitting about .400, man on 2B, the Oz traded a chance for a big inning for a single run. It may work regularly in the NL, but it will come back to get you over time against AL powerhouses like the Jays. You rarely beat them with only 3 runs, but Ozzies hot right now and got away with it. I don't think you can constantly give away outs in this league. At least by posting this after a good win, I can't be accused of front running.

Yesterday's pitching lines.

I can't see how either Adkins or Cotts is likely to get stretched out without taking them out of their present roles. The pen as a whole has been doing well so its not a good time to mess with it. They're not going to need a 5th guy until about Minny on the 16th, so let the competition begin at Charlotte and Birmingham, may the best man win. I include Birmingham because the Sox have never shown reluctance to use an AA guy if he's got stuff. Watch the next two starts for everybody, and keep an eye on who they finagle to go on May 12, that puts him on schedule for the next 5th guy start. Don't discount Danny Wright coming back either, if regular turns get him back to where he was coming out of ST, he might win the job again.

The Sox web site says the 3:05 game is on WGN, but MLB.com is notoriously inaccurate. The rain out game was on FSN, and usually the original station gets the make up game. My guess is the first game is on FSN and the second on WGN.

Sounds like Hawk just has trouble with people whose initials are JM. It’s a rare form of Nomatophobia, the fear of names. I think he dis'd the Jack McKeon hiring last year, I know he never liked Jack Morris and he's always harping on Jose Mesa. He was happy to see Jack McDowell go. He gave Jo-Jo Moore a break only because he thought it was two different names. Good thing we never got John Mayberry or Hawk would have rode out of town too.

I thought it was hilarious! The yodels in the upper deck scene are a scream. I'm a grub basher from day one but its just baseball and its all in fun. Perhaps one of our bright young posters can come up with a suitable response to this talented, but warped and degenerate, John Carney.

Sounds just like Aaron. He also grows on you everyday. I think in any event, the Sox are in fine shape the next few years. Thanks!

Well said Chisoxfn. How fast is Reed? The couple of games I saw on TV in the spring he didn't get stretched. How's his arm? We all know he can hit. Compare his D to some players in the Bigs, past or present. Thanks!