May 1, 200322 yr CHICAGO -- It was the third inning of Saturday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins, and Jon Garland had just allowed a solo home run to A.J. Pierzynski to tie the game, a one-out single to Jacque Jones and a walk to Christian Guzman. His next pitch to Bobby Kielty sailed high and tight, bringing White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper to the mound to talk with his struggling young hurler. "He told me I was rushing,” said Garland of his brief, but demonstrative, visit from Cooper. “He came out to slow me down, get me back on track and keep my focus.” Garland paid close attention to Cooper’s advice, retiring nine of the next 10 hitters. The 23-year-old right-hander worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs, before he was ejected for hitting Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Garland picked up his first victory, but more importantly, he held on to his spot in the starting rotation. The confidence gained from Saturday’s victory now needs to be carried by Garland into Thursday’s start against the first-place Oakland A’s. John Halama pitches for Oakland, a left-hander who has never lost to Chicago. “It’s all about being consistent, so I certainly hope he goes out and backs up his last strong start,” Cooper said of Garland. “I believe in this kid, and we all really believe in him. “He needed that game for himself, and we needed it for the team. He beat some of the better clubs in baseball last year, and he’s a young guy who is establishing himself more and more.” The White Sox need Garland to help avoid a sweep at the hands of the A’s, and the seventh straight loss to Oakland. But, the offense will need to produce to back up Garland. During the first two games of this series, the White Sox have scored three runs. Pitching matchup: OAK: LHP John Halama 1-1, 2.95 in 2003 Has not faced CHI in 2003 3-0, 4.71 lifetime vs. CHI CHI: RHP Jon Garland 1-2, 6.39 in 2003 Has not faced OAK in 2003 0-1, 10.13 lifetime vs. OAK Players to watch: It’s no surprise that right-handed hitters such as Carlos Lee (5-for-12, one home run), Magglio Ordonez (5-for-11, one home run and four RBIs) and Joe Crede (2-for-2) have hit well in the past against the left-handed Halama. But, left-handed hitting Brian Daubach is 4-for-9 in his career against Halama, while Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko are a combined 3-for-25. Quotable: ““I’m trying to make sure all of our position players get enough at-bats to where we expect quality at-bats when we call upon them. It makes it feel more like one whole team, instead of starters vs. the reserves.” -- White Sox manager Jerry Manuel on trying to work in his reserves as much as possible. Quick hits: The White sox have fallen to 2-5 in games started this season by Mark Buehrle, their No. 1 pitcher in the rotation. ... Paul Konerko has hit in nine straight games (12-for-35) and has reached base in 17 straight games. Konerko’s second-inning double was one of only two solidly hit balls against Mark Mulder. ... Carlos Lee has 11 extra-base hits and 13 runs scored in the last 12 games. ... Wednesday’s game time of 1 hour 54 minutes is the quickest played by the White Sox since a game of the same time against Seattle on September 13, 1987. Weather forecast: It’s a rainy end to the White Sox homestand, with the forecast calling for precipitation every day but Saturday. Thursday’s forecast is for 58 degrees, with a 70 percent chance for heavy thunderstorms.
May 1, 200322 yr 7 PM Cloudy 51° ,74% From the North Northeast at 19 mph 8 PM Cloudy 50° , 75% From the North at 19 mph 9 PM Cloudy 49° , 78% From the North at 18 mph 10 PM Mostly Cloudy 48° , 80% From the North at 18 mph 11 PM Cloudy 48° , 81% From the North at 18 mph no rain for tonight
May 1, 200322 yr Author 2B Graffanino .263 SS Valentin .287 DH Thomas .244 RF Ordonez .280 LF Lee .253 1B Konerko .230 3B Crede .236 CF Rowand .125 C Olivo .200 John Halama (1-1, 2.95) vs. Jon Garland (1-2, 6.39) Tonight will be the battle of the Jons, yesterday was battle of the Marks.
May 2, 200322 yr those batting averages are horrible..the only guy hitting above his career mark right now is manos
May 2, 200322 yr Hey Baggs...he IS hitting my weight!!! in chicago the mendoza line is too high for ouir guys...we have the "heather line"..125
May 2, 200322 yr 2B Graffanino .263 SS Valentin .287 DH Thomas .244 RF Ordonez .280 LF Lee .253 1B Konerko .230 3B Crede .236 CF Rowand .125 C Olivo .200 John Halama (1-1, 2.95) vs. Jon Garland (1-2, 6.39) Tonight will be the battle of the Jons, yesterday was battle of the Marks. what medicore averages
May 2, 200322 yr hey wheres that chat room link???? thats what we need for this disaster.....we can all vent at once.......
May 2, 200322 yr in chicago the mendoza line is too high for ouir guys...we have the "heather line"..125 OMG, Baggs....LMFAO!!!
May 2, 200322 yr in chicago the mendoza line is too high for ouir guys...we have the "heather line"..125 the Heather Line... which Clayton was usually above and yet you hated him!
May 2, 200322 yr hey wheres that chat room link???? thats what we need for this disaster.....we can all vent at once....... http://whitesox.theinsiders.com/3/chat.html I've got a work meeting at 7:30, but will be right in afterwards.
May 2, 200322 yr hey anyone whos stuck out there come join us in the chat room.. baggs is doing play by play..........and the rest of us are talkin about s***.........
May 2, 200322 yr hey anyone whos stuck out there come join us in the chat room.. baggs is doing play by play..........and the rest of us are talkin about s***......... bulls***! I'm there and no one else is!
May 2, 200322 yr theres a ton of us in ther esteff honestly....... Not at that link above... I swear!!
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