Gregory Pratt Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 I think that the title is funny. His old form? You mean, what he had in Seattle?!? Poor word choice by the author, I think. http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws Notes: Thornton regains old form Left-hander confident after earning first career save Thursday As it was happening Thursday night, Matt Thornton didn't even know he was recording his first career save. "It was neat. I didn't even know until after the game," Thornton said. "I look back at it and it definitely was a unique situation. It was fun, a good situation to be in." After struggling in his undefined role in the bullpen at the beginning of the season, and sitting out from April 14-28 with a sore lower back, Thornton has come back strong. He has made six straight scoreless outings, striking out nine and allowing only two hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched. "I think I'm at the point where I'm pitching like I knew I could pitch. I believe in myself, and [manager] Ozzie [Guillen] and [pitching coach, Don] Cooper believe in me, too," Thornton said. Thornton was acquired over the offseason in a trade with Seattle, where he went 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA in 55 relief appearances last season. He has now been working steadily with Cooper for the last four months and feels like the work is finally starting to pay dividends. "My control is back now. I'm throwing strikes and getting ahead of hitters right away," Thornton said. "That was always my Achilles heel. I would fall behind... and get in a jam and not be able to get out. I'm avoiding that now, for the most part. I'm kind of pressing their hand to swing the bat a little more." Thornton has also recorded three wins and six holds this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G&T Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 This team would be in deep trouble without this guy. Today proved it even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Our bullpen is really very good without Cliff in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 QUOTE(Jake @ Jul 9, 2006 -> 09:16 PM) Our bullpen is really very good without Cliff in it. hahah, funny yet so true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Dixie Normus Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 QUOTE(Jake @ Jul 9, 2006 -> 09:16 PM) Our bullpen is really very good without Cliff in it. He did well today. It is a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capn12 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 That changeup Cliff brought with him to teh mound today went a long way to making me think maybe he has a slight bit of usefulness left in him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted July 10, 2006 Author Share Posted July 10, 2006 QUOTE(Capn12 @ Jul 9, 2006 -> 11:32 PM) That changeup Cliff brought with him to teh mound today went a long way to making me think maybe he has a slight bit of usefulness left in him... He might be good for one inning in certain games, but I don't expect much from him otherwise. In most his outings of late, he gets through his first inning fine, and then totally dies in the second. Besides, two of his outs today were JUST missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 12:39 AM) He might be good for one inning in certain games, but I don't expect much from him otherwise. In most his outings of late, he gets through his first inning fine, and then totally dies in the second. Besides, two of his outs today were JUST missed. I agree, if he can string together some MEDIOCRE outings (damn the expectations have fallen for him) he'll have use as the mop-up guy. If he can't even do that, he needs to be DFA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Matt has easily been our second best reliever the last two months or so. I'm so happy we've got this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Joe Borchard did end up paying off in the long run. What the f*** do you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSox05 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 i still cant figure out how he throws 97-98 mph. It looks like hes warming up with the catcher. I like it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 (edited) I have been very impressed with Thornton and his progress... another great steal for KW and the Sox!! Edited July 10, 2006 by EvilJester99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted July 10, 2006 Author Share Posted July 10, 2006 QUOTE(GoSox05 @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 08:13 AM) i still cant figure out how he throws 97-98 mph. It looks like hes warming up with the catcher. I like it though. I love the way he throws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullcollapse Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 back in april if you told me thornton was going to be this good i would have laughed. i really thought he was going to be a disaster. thank you for proving me wrong matt and coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan76 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Cliff Politte v. 2006 (from the left side) Hard throwing reliever who's been around for a little while, all the sudden has a breakout year. I'll take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted July 10, 2006 Share Posted July 10, 2006 QUOTE(SoxFan76 @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 01:47 PM) Cliff Politte v. 2006 (from the left side) Hard throwing reliever who's been around for a little while, all the sudden has a breakout year. I'll take it. If Politte could throw as hard as Thornton, he'd be doing a LOT better this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmmmmbeeer Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 I forgot the guy's name, maybe Flash, but he'd probably agree with me when I say that Matt Thornton is a perfect example of why the Sox should be drafting a greater mix of pitcher-types. Between Thornton and Jenks, two flamethrowers with spotty pasts, the Sox and Don Cooper have groomed these guys into, dare I say, dominating relievers. Any guy who can throw 95-100mph can't just be ignored because they'd be a "project". The dividends paid by these project prospects is often worth the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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