Welcome to the second consecutive day of live-blogging action. Today the White Sox try to avoid the sweep against the very game Tampa Bay Rays. For a team that doesn’t have three of their big guns, they certainly have found ways to win each of these first two games. They really have the look of a special team as much as Red Sox and Yankees fans may want to admit.

We have a very interesting pitching match-up. Right-hander Andy Sonnanstine faces Mark Buehrle. Buehrle has been radically inconsistent this season with some excellent starts and some starts that he’s been horrific in. Sonnanstine has won three straight games after losing three straight. Ironically his only complete game of the season came against these White Sox back on April 19. Isn’t that lovely? These two pitchers have met twice this season. A number of the Rays hit Buehrle exceedingly well so this could be a long game for the Sox and a short one for the left-hander.

I shall return around 1:05 to talk about the game. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

12:51

Ken Griffey Jr. is batting seven and behind Alexei Ramirez. I honestly hope these are the last games of his career.

1:10

Nick Swisher makes an error with two outs in the first. Of course, the very next pitch is a Rocco Baldelli two run home run giving the Rays an early 2-0 lead. Then Willy Aybar swings and the inning is over like that.

1:19

Carlos Quentin comes up in the first inning with two on and nobody out. What does he do? Promptly hits into a double play. Isn’t that just a kick in the teeth? The more I see this team, the more I see their season ending on September 28.

1:27

Iwamura makes it a 3-0 game with base hit after a wild pitch.

1:28

Alexei Ramirez rolls a ball to Orlando Cabrera and barely gets the third out. All three Rays runs are unearned after the wild pitch was then ruled a passed ball. The last two days, it’s been the Sox bullpen giving away runs. Now it’s the defense and Buehrle. At least they’re getting it done earlier in this game.

1:39

Ken Griffey Jr. hit into a double play with one out. That’s two in two innings. I see we’re back to this again. This blog could get quite bitter as we move along so watch out. Kids, get your parents’ permission before reading on.

1:56

Alexei Ramirez almost trips and falls trying to give Orlando Cabrera a ball, but they do indeed turn a double play. Beautiful grab by Cabrera to keep this a 3-0 game going into the bottom of the 4^th inning. Now if only they could score some runs.  Then the bullpen could go ahead and blow the lead.

2:01

The White Sox do indeed score some runs as Carlos Quentin hits his 36^th home run of the season with A.J. Pierzynski on first base. It is now 3-2 Rays.

2:03

Jermaine Dye comes close to making it back-to-back blasts, but he only gets a double out of it.

2:04

Memo to Sonnanstine: Whatever your throwing is not working. Thome hits the second homer of the inning and the Sox take the lead 4-3 in a game they absolutely have to have. Three extra base hits in a row means a visit from the pitching coach. Personally, he should have been out there after the Dye double.  Thome is now tied for 15^th place all-time in home runs with Jimmie Foxx.

2:06

Ramirez and Griffey are way too eager at the plate and they hit into back-to-back ground ball outs. The Rays were actually winning this game about two minutes. Now they have to hope to see Dotel or Thornton so they can get some runs. I kid… or do I?

2:24

Rays are threatening yet again with two on and no one out. This rally isn’t for lack of trying as Buehrle almost made a spectacular play and Dye came close to diving for a ball he had no business getting to.

2:27

We have our second official error of the day as Cabrera lets a ball go between his legs and there’s still no one with men at the corners in a now tied ballgame. Boy, am I tired of all these dumb errors and mental lapses. I’m tired of hearing about passion and pride when I see crappy defense game after game. It’s a 4-4 game right now when it should actually be 4-2 or 4-1.

2:29

Pierzynski tags Pena out at home. There’s now one out with men on first and second. Knowing how this team works, we’ll have a base hit and men at the corners shortly.

2:32

Nope, the Sox got out of the jam, but it’s now a tie game. Time to score more runs.

2:49

I was about set to complain about this umpire making a bad strike call, but then I remembered the officials from that gold medal game this morning. Seriously, that was a hatchet job of the highest order, and those guys should be fired and never allowed to officiate international basketball again. And originally I wasn’t in favor of fining people for flopping, but after watching Spain play like the biggest pansies in the world, I’m now all for it.

2:51

Carlos Pena hits a double with a man on the second. It’s now a 5-4 game and Buerhle is done for the day after throwing over 100 pitches. Quentin had a chance to make a play in left, but it should have been the centerfielder’s ball all the way. The White Sox have no speed and a complete lack of leadership out in that field. Quentin can be dealt with in left as long as you have a good person in center. In this case, the Sox definitely do not.  Now I get to see more of good old D.J. Carrasco.

3:02

BREAKING NEWS: Juan Uribe can’t bunt. How do you pay a guy 5 million dollars, and he can’t do one of the core parts of baseball? With two strikes then, he of course pops up, and the starter for the Rays is done for the day. Sonnanstine really just had that one bad inning and that’s it.

3:05

Looking at my scoresheet, it’s easy to see why the Sox have problems in the scoring department in this game. Their 6-9 hitters are 0-11. I know they’re not expected to carry the load, but that’s ridiculous.

3:17

Going to the bottom of the 8^th with the Sox still down one. If they’re gonna pull this game out, it’s gotta be this inning. The three, four, and five hitters are coming. Considering what the bottom of the order hasn’t done, the middle of the order pretty much has to win this game now or get the brooms out.

3:24

Three fly-outs to all three outfielders and this ballgame is just about over. Ramirez and Griffey need to step up now or this could be a long final month for a team that wants to be in the playoffs.

3:36

Bottom of the 9^th inning and it’s still a 5-4 game. Jenks got himself into a bit of trouble with two outs by loading the bases, but thanks to a lucky break a sure score didn’t happen because the ball bounced into the stands. If there’s ever a time to take care of business, that time is now.

3:38

Ramirez tries to bunt on, and he pops it up. Turrible.

3:39

Griffey FINALLY gets a double and here comes Anderson to pinch-run. This game is not over yet. Maybe Swisher will be smart, hit a two run shot, and this series on a high note for the Sox.

3:44

Swisher strikes out and the Sox are down to their last bullet. Paul Konerko is now going to pinch-hit for Uribe. See, this is a spot for Joe Crede.

3:49

The White Sox just flat out had a horseshoe up their butt on the last play. Konerko gets a single. Swisher dashes home and should be a dead duck at home. At the last second, the ball gets away from the catcher, and we have a tie game with two outs in the bottom of the 9^th inning.

3:51

Chris Getz steals second and makes Cabrera’s job a little bit easier.

3:54

We go to extra innings with the game tied at 5. Just what I want to do, sit through more baseball.

4:03

Tampa Bay goes 1-2-3 in the inning. Included was a beautiful play by Ramirez, now at third base, to get the final out. Let’s see if the Sox can’t end this in the 10^th before my score sheet runs out of innings.

4:07

A.J. Pierzynski picks up his third hit of the game. Carlos Quentin hits a deep ball into center and Pierzynski smartly gets onto second. One out, man on second with Dye up. This would appear to be the scenario you’d want right now.

4:10

Pierzynski just pulled a Spain by initiating some contact and getting sent to second even though he was out. Umpires say we have men at the corners with one out. Manager of the Rays is not going to be happy and I don’t blame him. This is just a bad call that the Sox will benefit from as long as they score. Guess they call him Captain Chaos for a reason. That is one of the most unusual calls I’ve ever seen, and the umpires absolutely blew it. How the heck do you miss that call? And then for four people to come together and decide that’s still the right call? What a load of garbage. Thome is about to be walked and the game is in Ramirez’ hands.

4:17

Rays have five infielders now with B.J. Upton moving to what I can only describe as short center like softball.  Sox win 6-5 in a game they should have lost.

4:39

White Sox end the homestand on a positive note with their 6-5 victory. It wasn’t the prettiest, but they did scratch one out. I’m not sure what the rest of the season holds, but they certainly proved they’ll never quit. A.J. Pierzynski was of course at the center of the chaos again. And the umpire who made the call is the same one who called him safe in Game 2 of the ALCS. Irony, thy name is A.J. Just amazing to think what happened this game. In less than two months, we’ll find out if this game really meant something. For now, I’m getting out of US Cellular Field and going home to sleep. Watching basketball at 1:30 when you’re going to be at a 1:05 baseball game is not something I would recommend to anyone, but I did it.  

It’s time for another live blog. Today’s game is a big one, not only because it’s a battle of two pennant contenders, but because the Tampa Bay Ray Devil Rays actually get a nationally televised game.  This is one of the benefits of actually being good. Last night was a rough game for the home team. John Danks pitched well, but the bullpen had a borderline epic meltdown. Octavio Dotel, someone who I’ve personally never been a big fan of, was horrific in his less than an inning of work. The Sox had a chance to win the game, but three big runs in the 7^th pretty much took the Sox out of it.

Javier Vazquez, one of the more inconsistent pitchers on the Sox, pitches today against one of the Rays’ best, Scott Kazmir. Kazmir has had his problems the last few games which the Sox had better take advantage of if they want to win this series. Otherwise, they’re staring a crippling sweep in the face while the Twins are magically defeating the Los Angeles Angels. Amazing.  I’ll be back shortly since it’s almost game time. Hey, unlike the Mariners and Royals (and this is a really unbelievable to say) at least the Rays (THE RAYS MAN) are a contender.

3:17

Pretty  good start for Vazquez as he cruised along through the first two innings. The kind of stuff he’s bringing is the kind of stuff that lead shut-outs or better. If he can make it through the fifth and sixth with the way he’s pitching, the Sox have an excellent chance of winning this game. But this is a very dangerous Rays team that has never shown signs of being scared or intimidated, and there is a pretty good pitcher on the bump for Tampa Bay as well.

3:30

Alexei Ramirez just struck out and got applause for it because he had a tremendous at-bat that lasted around 10 pitches. He just kept fouling balls off and really hurting Kazmir’s pitch count. This is something that could be important later in the game but you probably won’t read about in the papers tomorrow.  It can really be the little things in this game that come back to bite you in the ass.

3:40

Vazquez just made it through the line-up clean through three innings. I also picked up a copy of the Rays’ media guide. After herniating a disc from the weight, I checked it out. How the hell does a team that’s been around 10 years have a media guide that’s 576 pages. Easy. They list everyone whos works for them. They list minor league affiliates with their players and stats. They list the usual stuff about current major league players. This is a truly epic piece of work that also has the distinction of being the nicest looking media guide I’ve ever seen as well.

3:56

Zeroes across the board for both teams. If you don’t know what that means, you’re just a moron.

3:59

The zero pattern is now broken thanks to a solo home run from Jermaine Dye. It is now 1-0 White Sox. For the third time with the White Sox and fourth time time overall Dye has hit 30 in a season. With clouds looming overhead, that may prove to be a huge score in this game.

4:04

We’re in the top of the fifth thankfully. Barring a tie, it’s an official game after this inning.

4:11

Still a clean game for Vazquez after five. Now let’s see if the Sox can get some more runs in case the rain starts and the heavens come down on U.S. Cellular Field.

4:17

Alexei Ramirez hits a lead-off triple, and Juan Uribe does his job getting the run home and making this a 2-0 game in favor of the Sox.  

4:24

We’re in the 6^th inning and the rain still isn’t here. We just may get out of this yet. Guess we’ll have to wait and find out.

4:27

The no-hitter and perfect game are over as Jason Bartlett hits a double with two outs in the 6^th inning. That was fun while it lasted. If Joe Crede is at third, I bet the play is made though. Iwamura puts the Rays on the board with a slap base-hit and it’s now 2-1 Sox.

4:31

Once again, Vazquez doesn’t like the 6^th inning. He now has men at the corners with two outs. From a no-hitter to being one pitch away from losing. Isn’t baseball grand?

4:43

Jermaine Dye makes this a 3-1 game with his second home run of the game. He hit to a similar spot as well. Other than Dye though, Kazmir has been solid. His biggest problems have been a lack of run support, Dye’s home runs, and throwing too many pitches. Right now, he’s at 104 and we’re not even  out of the 6^th.  And all this cloud cover mixed with the sun has created some unusual shadows that the players must absolutely love.

4:48

After a rough 6^th, Vazquez comes back strong with a 1-2-3 seventh. Sox need to win this game with the way he’s pitched. Looking at the fact that he only has something like 80 pitches, he’s got a chance to finish what he started as long as his pitches are finding the good location. Kazmir is done to be replaced by Grant Balfour. Wasn’t he a goalie? According to the press guide, he’s Australian, so there goes that theory. Something about too many kangaroos to play hockey down there or something.  If Adam is reading this, I know he’ll loooove that joke.

5:05

We’re through seven with the Sox still winning 3-1. The clouds are getting more menacing. That means the Sox need to hurry up and get through this game so everyone can go home and bask in the glory of these storms in the safety and comfort of their own homes as opposed to sitting here on our asses waiting for this game to be re-started.  There’s only so many times I’d be able to read the Sox media guide. Trying to get through the Rays one is probably like trying to read War and Peace except this has more pictures and glossy pictures.

5:10

Something I don’t understand about umpires. They don’t let them pitch inside anymore, but then they don’t give them the outside corners either. What the hell is that all about? It would be nice to think that pitchers could actually get some respect on the mound, but when you can’t pitch inside or outside, what are you left with? If it crosses the plate between the chest and knees, it’s a strike. Period. Hell, change it if you want to, but get some consistency out there. These first two games have seen two horrific umpiring jobs because of a complete lack of consistency from inning to inning and game to game. To a certain extent, I guess there is always going to be some subjectivity, but it shouldn’t be to the point where things are this dramatically different.

5:14

Jason Bartlett just loaded the bases up with no one on, and Vazquez is done. He should have been taken out after Gross because that walk clearly had to frustrate the heck out of him. Now Thornton has to clean this mess up. Oh, and the crowd has started “The Wave.” I’m sorry, but this isn’t Wrigley Field. We actually watch the game around here instead of doing dumb things like this. Way to make me ashamed of Sox fans guys.

5:20

Another thing. If you foul four pitches off with two strikes, you should be called out. I’m sick and tired of these long at-bats that extend games and waste even more time. Want to know why pitchers are always blowing out their arms? Because they have to throw strikes through a razor thin strike zone, have to sit through extended commercial breaks, and these players come up to the plate wearing armor and hanging their arms over the plate. 

5:23

Rays tie the game, and here comes the rain. Bases loaded and still nobody out.

5:24

5-3 Rays. Here come the boo birds. This is ridiculous. Rain is coming down harder now. Thornton is out. Thank God for that.

5:32

D.J. Carrasco stops the bleeding by getting three outs in a row. I’ll have some thoughts on this “dependable” bullpen later, but let’s just say Dotel and Thornton are on my hit list as far as why this team is no longer in first.

5:38

Umpire, after not calling a low outside strike allllllllll game long, just rang up Swisher on a pitch that was low and outside. Not saying the umpiring is to blame, but bad calls are bad calls anyway  you look at it. Then a different umpire blows another call at first base when Carlos Pena misses a tag on Carlos Quentin, but Quentin is called out anyway. On the plus side, Major League Baseball and their network “partners” clearly aren’t like the NBA because you know they don’t want the Rays winning games and making it deep into October. Geez, they’ve had just about all the important calls go their way so far this season.

5:52

Jason Bartlett just picked up his third hit of the game. Boy, am I tired of seeing him. He’s got two big hits so far and scored two runs. Oh, and the umpire just called another outside pitch a strike. This one actually looked like a ball. Where the hell is this guy’s strikezone? Now we go to the bottom of the 9^th with Dye coming up. Thome follows so there is some hope for the Sox.

5:56

Ken Griffey Jr. is out to pinch-hit with two outs and no one on base. Dumb dumb dumb. Why even waste his time with this? Brian Anderson can’t catch a break on this team, and I look forward to him being traded so he can actually get some playing time and some real meaningful playing time.

5:59

This ballgamne is over and the Sox have lost 5-3. More later.

Final Thoughts:

Ozzie Guillen said once again that whoever the media picks gets the most attention. Easy to correlate since two of the biggest markets, New York and Boston, spend the most money. And where is ESPN primarily located? This was just an ugly day for so many reasons. I can’t see this Sox team as presently constructed making it into the postseason even. When Javier Vazquez is pitching the way he is and getting that angry over a loss, there are some major issues. He referred to this as one of the toughest losses of his career and it’s easy to see why that is.

Ozzie refuses to bury Octavio Dotel and Matt Thornton so I will. For being the two set-up guys that this team wants to rely on so much, it’s just absolutely ridiculous to me that these two have pitched so badly the last few weeks. I’m tired of hearing how dependable this bullpen is because it hasn’t been since the All-Star break. The hitting wasn’t great today, but there’s no reason the Sox should have lost based on their pitching.

I’ll be back tomorrow for what might be my last live blog of a Sox game for the season. I may be taking a unique roll with this publication and with the Sky coming back, I may not have time to be at anymore Sox games. But we’ll see. Hopefully, this team can pull it together and not get swept. But I have my doubts.

10:57 AM

I am coming to you live… from a CTA train. Why you ask? Because the White Sox are doing a make-up kids autograph session from 11 to 11:30. Hence I have no reason to be down there as early as I usually try to be. So while I ride what appears to be the slowest train ever, let’s examine today’s game a little bit.

11:09 AM

The White Sox are sending Lance Broadway to the mound after having won and dominated the first two games of this series. I’m still not sure if Broadway should even be on the mound with Carrasco pitching the way he did. Unfortunately, with reliever Scott Linebrink being a week or perhaps even longer away from returning, the White Sox want Carrasco to remain as a set-up man.

For Broadway, this is his last stand. He’s been one of the most touted prospects in the White Sox organization, but the reality is he just hasn’t been very good in the major leagues while seemingly being able to dominate his Triple-A competition. Even though the Sox have already won this series, they need every victory they can considering this team is about to embark on a West Coast road trip that includes a trip to the house of horrors known as the Oakland Coliseum. When they once and for all knock that place down, I’m almost positive Ozzie Guillen will be the one who volunteers to push the button.

Carlos Quentin should return to the line-up after a couple days off. I guess when you’ve been beaned in five straight games, two days off is a good idea. And Ozzie does have that two day rule.

I’m expecting the Sox to have to score at least eight to ten runs with an unsure starting pitcher and a bullpen that may have to pitch major innings as well.

12:14

Jerry Krause, former Bulls General Manager and current Mets scout, is in the house. Well, I certaintly don’t want any Mets players. This should be an opportunity to make fun of Krause, but I’m far too sophisticated to make Jabba the Hutt jokes at Krause.

12:27

I walk into find out that Ken Griffey Jr. is batting number two today. When you’ve got a 38-year-old Hall of Famer batting just .200 in the seven or so games since being traded to the Sox, it makes perfect sense to have him bat in that second spot. Or not. At this point, I’d rather have my favorite player in Sox history (SARCASM ALERT), Juan Uribe, or Alexei Ramirez. We’ll see how this plays itself out.

12:34

Interesting and very random note to pass along. One of the advisories accompanying the usual media package is a release saying media who want to attend the last regular season game at Yankee Stadium must get a separate media pass. That has the potential to be an insane atmosphere for a lot of reasons. I’m almost glad I don’t have to be there covering the game. Of course, my hatred of New York has something to do with it, but it’s going to be very emotional, and there will be a ton of people from all over the world to be there. It’s about a half hour until game time. Some musician is playing, and I’ll be back for the game in about 30 minutes.

1:01

Coming to the Sox game the day before the “Air and Water Show” may not have been the best of ideas considering all these planes flying overhead warming up for tomorrow. With Lance Broadway pitching, there is a greater threat of a Royals’ player hitting one of the planes.

1:12

Lance Broadway is already sucking it up. He allowed a hit to the first two batters before getting his first out. Then the only real player the Royals have, Jose Guillen, gets a two base single and it is 2-0 Royals. Looks like I get to see me some D.J. Carrasco again.

1:15

Jose Guillen, Juan Uribe, Gary Darling or Lance Broadway? Who is the dumbest of them all? Let me count the ways. First, Guillen tries to read Broadway’s delivery, but he leaves too early. Broadway then stares at him, perhaps in shock as his stupidity. Broadway throws to third. Uribe misses the tag, but the Darling calls him out. Four people fail on the same play in the First inning. It’s gonna be a long day at the old ballpark.

1:19

At the end of a half inning, Broadway has already spent way too much time on stage by throwing 27 pitches. P.S. Ken Griffey Jr. couldn’t even make it to second base on a throw to the infield. Griff, time to retire because this is Willie Mays with the Mets at this point.

1:24

Griffey strikes out on a pitch that he probably hammers in his prime. I can’t even make jokes because it’s really just sad to watch one of the best centerfielders of all time struggle like this.

1:26

Carlos Quentin just got hit by a pitch for the sixth straight game. If there was ever a guy who has every right to punch out a pitcher, it’s him cause this is getting ridiculous.

1:31

White Sox load the bases and Konerko flies out to the second basemen. Good start. At least it wasn’t a double play like Saturday night’s game. Gotta try and be a positive thinker here.

1:40

I just noticed that the gentlemen sitting in front of me is writing a “Pace of Game Summary Report.” Considering we’re in the top of the 2^nd and it’s 1:40, I’d say we’re moving PRETTY FREAKIN’ SLOW. It doesn’t help we could set the record for most foul balls hit in a game. This is getting ridiculous and also proves why watching baseball on television is becoming unwatchable.

1:47

Juan Uribe got a hit. Yeah, I’m as shocked as you are, but I guess he’s in one of those hot streaks that will probably end next week sometime. Then it’s back to back-breaking swings at pitches in the dirt.

1:51

With two on and one out, the O.C. drives in a runner and makes it a 2-1 game.

1:53

Griffey doesn’t drive a run in, but he does at least keep the rally going with a little duck snort basehit. Bases loaded with Mr. HBP coming up. Maybe he can drive a run in here by getting hit yet again. Least he would drive in his easiest RBI of the year.

1:57

After Carlos Quentin strikes out, Jermaine Dye rescues the inning with a double that drives in two. 3-2 White Sox.

1:58

Joel Peralta is already warming up for the Royals . So it IS going to be one of those games.

2:05

A 1-2-3 INNING. YAY. LANCE BROADWAY WITH THREE OUTS IN A ROW. DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

2:11

Blown call #2 comes as Alexei Ramirez is called out at first despite appearing to be safe. Good thing the Sox have the most even keel first base coach in the history of first base coaches. He’ll never get ejected for arguing cause he doesn’t talk.

2:23

Another scoreless inning for Broadway. The next one is the biggie. If he can go out there and maintain this lead, he could pick up a victory as well as earn another start. However, this is his third time through the Kansas City Royals batting order, so you have to wonder if he’ll be able to maintain his good location and ability to get these hitters out. Although you wouldn’t think the fifth inning of day game against the Royals isn’t important, it could very well be one of the biggest innings of this season so far. Of course the Sox could help by scoring some more runs as well.

2:27

Griffey gets on base for the second time with a walk. Maybe this is a sign he’s turning things around.

2:32

Apparently Jose Guillen nor Mitch Maier know how to say “I got it” since they collided and almost dropped the ball. The White Sox have now left eight men on in four innings. I’m going to start referring to this team as “Gilligan’s Island” with all the men they’re leaving stranded.

2:40

Broadway with a successful 5^th inning. You could almost hear a sigh of relief in the White Sox dugout as he got that last out against the only Royals player worth anything, Jose Guillen. I think Broadway should start the 6^th, but at the first sign of trouble get him the heck out of there.

2:46

Paul Konerko has just stolen his second base of the season, tying his career high. History as it happens folks. Good thing cause Uribe just swung at a pitch in the dirt that barely went 55 feet. He then swings at the next pitch, and his streak is OVUH!

2:56

After 102 pitches and 5 1/3 innings, Lance Broadway is leaving the stage. At least he had a good outing and shook off a rough start. The most important thing for Lance was his ability to get into the 6^th inning and not further abuse a battered bullpen. If the five starter, likely Broadway for the next couple starts, can get into the 6^th and the other four guys can do their jobs, the Sox have a great chance to win this division. They just cannot afford to be leaving all these men on base at the plate because it will hurt them in this game of course, but especially against really good teams like the Rays and Angels.

3:05

Horacio Ramirez goes 1/3 of an inning. He almost lost Gordon and then allowed a base hit to Gload. Mind you it was a little better than Boone Logan, but if you’re gonna bring in a lefty to get two lefties out, then he should actually do the job. Guess this is what happens when you acquire someone from the Royals. AND HERE COMES D.J. CARRASCO… again.

3:09

Bottom of the 6^th and it’s still 3-2 White Sox. Now it’s a battle of the bullpens as Kyle Davies, the Royals starter, exits the game.

3:14

Jr. Griffey walks again, and he’s been on base three times. Would be nice if scored any of those times and not been stranded.

3:22

This game may just been blown open. With two on and two out, Jim Thome blasted a three run homer to give the Sox a 6-2 lead. That’s what happens when you walk people. Oh Jesus, I look up and there goes another one. Make it 7-2 as Konerko hits a home run and makes it a back-to-back deal. Joel Perlata should be a pleasant person to talk to after the game.

3:26

The party has not stopped as you can make it back-to-back-to-back shots. Ramirez with his 11^th of the season and the Sox lead 8-2. Hawk must be going nuts. Peralta must be suicidal, and every single Sox starter has reached base in this game. It’s also the 9^th time in Sox history, they’ve hit three in a row.

3:30

Are you kidding me? It’s four in a row as Uribe just hit one. It’s 9-2, and I believe they just ran out of fireworks. And those four home runs consecutively are a club record.

3:39

Carrasco just made a fantastic play to end the 7^th inning and it’s still 9-2. Griffey and Cabrera are done as Ramirez moves to short and poor Brian Anderson actually gets into the game.

3:49

In addition to a club record, the Sox have struck out nine times total, eight times swinging. They’ve left nine men on base, and they of course have nine runs. They will of course ruin this in the next inning by either scoring again or more likely striking out again. Carrasco’s day is done as rookie Adam Russell can get some work in. He’s been very good from what I’ve seen, and it seems like there are more pitcher stockpiled in that Sox system then the so-called experts will have you believe.

4:06

Sox win 9-2 and sweep the Royals. Adam Russell finishes this one off in impressive fashion. More later.

4:33

Curiously, Lance Broadway was sent back to Charlotte after the game. But Ozzie Guillen made mention of his concern about the bullpen on this next road trip. The west coast is always murder, and to bring in someone who can provide relief so guys like Dotel and Jenks can perhaps get extra rest will be crucial for the rest of the season.

Oakland is a house of horrors, and they’ve got to try and take at least one of the three while also being sure they take two out of three against Seattle. It should be an interesting road trip for this White Sox team as they embark on a weekend series at the Coliseum.

I also watched Carlos Zambrano try to pitch as well in the Sox dug-out. Nothing like watching a Cubs game in the Sox dug-out especially when someone from the Sox organization (not saying who) was swearing up a storm and ripping “Big Z” a new one.

4:52

The TBS crew from tomorrow’s game is sitting in my section of the press box. For Chip to even be around is pretty amazing considering what he’s gone through. I’ve never been his biggest fan, but he is most definitely a true professional broadcaster.

4:57

THE TARP… IS COMING OFF! YAY!

4:58

Chip and Buck have left the press box to go to their nice cushy booth. Broadcasters get all the perks. Still, it is better to be in here then playing catch (like the Red Sox were) in the pouring rain.

5:04

One hour until game time and there isn’t a whole lot for me to do. Guess I should be a good journalist and actually read the media notes. And I’llbeback.
5:35

Second Sox game I’m covering (first since the big trade) and of course Ken Griffey Jr. isn’t playing. Why would he? That would actually help me with the story I wanted to write. Scrap that plan. I’m just gonna focus on the Giants on Sunday… No, I’m going to focus on this here running diary. At least it’s turned into a beautiful night for baseball. I would say Ernie’s line but considering what’s going on in Chicago today, I’d say we are sort of playing two.

5:41

Let’s see. Zambrano served up batting practice at Wrigley. Now it’s Jose Conteras’ turn. This could be over by the third inning, and Sox fans will wish the rain had waited a couple hours.

5:45

They just mentioned the passing of Chicago comedian Bernie Mac, who dies at the age of 50. Just a very sad situation and to think of the many entertainers that have already passed this year is very sad. From George Carlin to Heath Ledger to now Bernie Mac. Just very sad.

5:59

Couple media members just arrived from the massacre at Wrigley. Guess it wasn’t even worth it to talk to “Grandpa Lou” or “Big Z” after the game. To say Mr. Piniella will be testy after the looks I saw on the television would be an understatement.

6:05

TIME TO PLAY BALL. I’ll update this whenever the Red Sox or White Sox score from here on in unless

something really interesting happens. Like for example, the “Let’s go Red Sox” chants. I didn’t know Fenway was in Chicago now. Good to know.

6:12

First bad call of the night made by the third base umpire on a checkswing. Good to get them started early so you can be consistent. Ortiz of course takes advantage and gets a hit.

6:15

Juan Uribe just held the game up because he needed a new glove. Thanks for wasting more of our time. I’ll thank you at the four hour mark for extending this game just a little bit. And as I look up, Kevin Youkillis is struck out looking. Hey hey, it’s a scoreless first. If you don’t classify Contreras getting a scoreless first as interesting, then you once again need to get out from under that rock.

6:36

After a double by Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie followed by what I presume to be an error on a bad throw by Swisher, there are men at the corners. Nope, it’s a hit. Anyway, Contreras was hurt on the play. Looks to be an ankle injury and I can almost see Kenny Williams on the phone trying to get another starter. Well, after 34 pitches Contreras night and season could be done. D.J. Carrasco, COME ON DOWN!

6:52

Nick Swisher hits into the first double play of the game. Not that the Sox had a real rally going anyway, but come on. Your starter is out. You’re facing a tough right hander. Sox hitters have to figure they’re going to need at least six or seven runs in this game to win.

7:08

Ruptured left Achilles tendon for Contreras. Good night Jose. It was nice knowing you.

7:10

Bad news all around. The Contreras injury is announced. Then Orlando Cabrera pops up a bunt with two on and no one out. A.J. Pierzynski then proceeds to hit into the second double play of the night for the Sox. Let’s see how quickly I can get tossed out of the locker room for asking O.C. why he can’t bunt a baseball.

7:22

White Sox should have just hit into their third double play but Dustin Pedroia messed it up. But thanks to Thome being sooooooooooo sllooooooooowwwwwwww, they at least get one out. For two teams who like to score a lot, they haven’t in this game. Still no score at the end of four innings. Just as I say that of course, the scoring will probably commence in a big way.

7:30

A senior coordinating producer at TBS is sitting next to me. We discussed everything that’s going on with Chip Carey and the planned tributes for Skip coming up this week as well as the memorial service. An emotional week is about to come to an end. Wish we could see all the tributes that are going to be aired on TBS.

7:35

In three of the five innings, Daisuke has lead off the inning with a walk. Good to see the Sox take advantage of this by hitting ground balls to the infielders. I guess the thinking is they’ll tire out eventually.

7:40

Another ground ball to the infield. Double play barely averted. Orlando Cabrera gets a base hit and the White Sox are on the board 1-0.

7:44

A.J. Pierzynski just hit into his second double play of the game, fourth for the White Sox in this game. And just think. WE’RE ONLY IN THE 6^TH. If this was a drinking game, I’d be just about done right now.

7:51

With two on and one out, the “Let’s go Red Sox” chants can be heard yet again. Sox fans, I shake my head at you for allowing this to happen.

7:53

Jason Bay tries to hit into a double play, but the Sox can’t quite get the job done. Ortiz scores and it’s a 1-1 game going to the bottom of the 6^th. I’ll have some comments on the man on the mound for the White Sox these last few innings in my final thoughts regardless of what he does from here on out.

8:10

Boone Logan just cost the White Sox this game and perhaps first place for the time being with his so-called effort in the 7^th inning. Ozzie Guillen decided to leave him in there because I guess he wants to lose so I’ll be back shortly to close the book on Logan.

8:12

Dustin Pedroia with a base hit and the Red Sox are now up 2-1. And just think. The bases are loaded. No one is out. David Ortiz is up and Logan is still in the game.

8:15

David Ortiz hits a bases clearing double and the Red Sox just took this game by the you know what. With the score 5-1, you have to wonder what the hell Ozzie Guillen was thinking about. After the first two batters, Boone Logan looked terrible. His location was off and he got hammered twice. Then he decides to walk the bases in front of one of the best road hitters the Red Sox have in Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia generously only hits a single and moves everyone station to station. Ortiz then cleans everything up with a nice double. He’s standing on second. Boone Logan is gone and hopefully sent back to Charlotte. Adam Russell is in the game, there is still nobody out.

8:17

Sox have a chance to get Ortiz out at second and they screw that up. Men on first and second, still nobody out.

8:18

Red Sox FINALLY hit into their first double play but it’s too little too late as the damage has already been done. Youkillis has certainly killed the Red Sox today by going 0-4 in the clean-up spot. Luckily he hasn’t been needed cause Boone Logan was the Red Sox player of the game. Jason Bay nubs one to the pitcher and mercifully the inning is over. 5-1 Red Sox despite the game being tied going into the inning. I know what the first five questions to manager Ozzie Guillen will be about at least.

8:32

Jacoby Ellsbury continues his killing of the White Sox with his third hit of the game. This time, he changed things up with a homer that made it 6-1 Red Sox. Guess you know the pale hosers are in trouble when they have three hits compared to the Sawx 12

8:33

Bill James must be happy. J.D. Drew just drew (See what I did there? Yeah, I’m bored.) his third walk of the game. 6-1 Sawx at the end of 7 ½.

8:38

After retiring eight in a row, Orlando Cabrera finally gets the Sox fourth hit of the game. Bet the Japanese press is happy with Daisuke’s performance tonight.

8:40

Just when you thought it was safe. A.J. Pierzynski just hit into his third double play of the game. Remember that drinking game I mentioned earlier? A good stiff one sounds real good right about now. Even “KISS Cam” can’t make me feel better, although the girl dry-humping what I hope was her boyfriend provided an interesting visual.

8:45

Red Sox fan just caught a foul ball hit by Kevin Youkillis. It’s likely the farthest ball he’s hit. Nope, he breaks the schnide with his first hit of the night and lucky number 13 for the Sawx. Everyone on the Sawx except Daisuke has reached base. Alexei Ramirez almost makes the game redeemable with a spectacular play, but he can’t keep the ball in his glove.

8:49

Manny who? Jason Bay just went 0-5.

8:51

Mike Timlin is in the game. Daisuke is out. The Sox bench must be rejoicing. Maybe they’ll hit into yet another double play to celebrate and put me, them, and this diary out of its’ misery.

8:59

Jim Thome gets the Sox another run making it 6-2. That was a very Sammy Sosaesque home run right there. Hit it when it didn’t matter.

9:00

Red Sox win 6-2. Time to go visit the morgue. Back with final shorts in about 30 minutes.

9:45- Final Thoughts

Lots of news from down below. Jose Contreras’ injury is quite serious, and he may be out for a year. Boone Logan and Josh Fields are being sent down to Charlotte. Horacio Ramirez was acquired from the Kansas City Royals for Single-A player Paulo Orlando. D.J. Carrasco appears to be the leading candidate to start Thursday’s game. Obviously, when you consider the work he put in tonight (bailing the rest of Sox bullpen out), you’d have a hard time finding someone better to take over the fifth spot.

Boone Logan was quite horrible tonight, and apparently he got a nice talking to from Ozzie Guillen just before facing Ortiz. Clearly something happened on the mound but neither Logan nor the manager were quick to provide any details on the situation.

This was certainly an interesting afternoon and evening. A lot is going on with the Sox team, and it’ll be interesting to see where they go from here. They’re no longer a first place team, and in order to get back to the postseason, they must show the kind of passion and desire they exhibited in 2005. Check back Thursday since I’ll be live at U.S. Cellular Field once again writing another diary and hopefully get a chance to see a White Sox starter make it out of the 5^th inning.

In a game that was dominated by the rhinos from Michigan, there was really no true turning point.  They wanted it more.  Did they play dirty?  Yes.  Did the Rush lose focus and play into that?  Yes.

But when you have a cornerback stop on a play when the whistle hasn’t been blown, comimtting an error even third grade pee-wee football players know not to do, you can’t blame the refs and you can’t blame the Rampage.

That play, where Rampage QB James McPherrrrrson stumbled to the ground, yet was able to get back up and throw 30 yards down field to an WR because CB Jeremy Untertl gave up because McPherrrrson was down, signified the tone of the game.  To quote one-hit wonder Chumbawumba, the Rampage got knocked down, but they got up again, both literally and figuratively.

They lost players via ejection.  They had the entire Allstate Arena (minus the few Rampage fans in attendance) up in arms over the awful calls and bush-league officiating.  They threw the game to the Rush with an interception to Unertl, and the offense responded to make it a three point deficit.  But that was as close as they would come.

In the post-game press conference, Coach Hohensee said this year’s team was the most fun to coach of any team he has had.  After being present at 11 of the games, conversing with players before, after, and even during the games, there was something special about this team.  Chalk it up to some of the veterans knowing time is running out to win another ring, or the legends Damian Harrell and Sherdrick Bonner coming in and ending up being the best tutors Donovan Morgan and Russ Michna could ever ask for.  Whatever it was, this team had fun and played close in 16 games this season.  They could very well make a case that 15-1 wasn’t out of reach.  An onside kick goes the other way (Philadelphia), the refs know what they’re doing (Orlando, or any other AFL game this year for that matter), a better call at the end of the game by the coach staff (Utah), or  a kicker doesn’t get hurt in pre-game (Georgia), and the Rush are even bigger favorites in the playoffs than they already were.

They were only out of two games at the end: June 7 against the Cleveland Gladiators, and Sunday against the Rampage.  And there’s one thing in common with those two opponents at that time: they both wanted it more.  Cleveland was fighting for their playoff lives in week 14, and that win propeled them into a home playoff game, a victory over Orlando in the wild card round, and a date with the Georgia Force tonight. 

Grand Rapids came in with a chip on their shoulder with their staggering 7-10 record.  After being blown out in front of hundreds in Grand Rapids in March, and barely losing to the Rush at Allstate less than two months later, they were ready for revenge.  More importantly, they were just ready.

To say fans and players were disappointed is a complete and utter understatement.  I’ve seen more upbeat people at funerals, and it wasn’t because the person who died left a large sum of money to the people.  It was a major shock to some that a hot team came in to an opposing teams carpet and beat them.  These were the same people that were shocked two years ago when the Rush won four straight road games and won Arena Bowl XX.

Just like with everything, time heals all wounds.  The Rush will be back next year, and one’s still not enough.  And just like the past two years, I will hopefully travel to Grand Rapids for the Rush-Rampage game, and hopefully watch the Rush plow thru those horny bastards like they have the past two trips. 

This is a city that has only gotten too used to disappointment, which is why a part of me isn’t even surprised that the Rush lost. But all the disappointment and anger is neutralized by the fact that the Rush flat-out didn’t come to play. I firmly believe that this team shut down after Los Angeles and couldn’t turn it back on for the postseason. Also, the injury situation did them no favors either.

 What I will always remember is how this team began and then faded to the point where they lost to a team that went 6-10. If you had told me that the Rush would have lost to a team they had once beaten so badly I questioned whether the Rampage would be in existence the following season, I would have called you  a liar. Now, the Rampage are on the verge of an Arena Bowl birth while the Rush get to go home and wonder what happened.

Yes, there will be a next year, but this year will be hard to forget.  

It wasn’t always pretty, but Donovan Morgan certainly had a game that he’ll never forget. Not only did he have 14 catches for over 150 yards, but he got himself an unsportsmanlike conduct for interfering with a ball while sitting on the bench. Troublemaker.

The AFL recently decided to institute replay. Unfortunately, they need to also institute  some new referee too based off their performance tonight. These guys seemed incapable of controlling the game. Brigade players were allowed to push, pull, and hold the Rush without much consequence. The lack of pass interference calls were particularly disturbing since it seemed Damian Harrell, Travis LeTendresse, and Morgan were having Brigade d-backs on their backs the whole night.

Since the San Jose Sabercats already won tonight, the Rush still have work to do. A win next week in Cleveland will do the job. The sooner this can get done, the better so some guys can be rested and maybe Sherdrick Bonner can get some game action so he could potentially take over if needed far easier during the postseason.

Special props to Sun-Times Lacy J. Banks for making it out to the game. If you haven’t been following his blogs, Banks is very sick with a number of medical problems. Just seeing him is an inspiration for all young journalists out there.

Collins was fired some 19 years ago because he couldn’t take the Bulls from Point B to Point C. A team that was on the brink of the championship just couldn’t seem to defeat the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons. Collins was a very emotional coach at that time, and his course has followed him through two other stops in Washington and Detroit. Now at 56 and a grandfather, John Paxson and Jerry Reinsdorf think he’s the man to bring the Bulls back to glory.

No doubt Collins is a brilliant basketball mind. I consider him to be a great analyst for TNT, but I cannot understand how in the blue hell anyone considers this to be a good idea. He’s had three short coaching stints, which have all ended in burn-out. There are so many young assistant coaches out there. Avery Johnson is out there. Why are the Bulls going for yet another rehash?

The White Sox showed a lot of moxy when they hired Ozzie Guillen, even though he was highly unproven. They could have  gone with someone like Cito Gaston, but they went with a guy who had fresh ideas and had brought the first World Series to Chicago since 1917. Now the Bulls are going back to the well, and they’ve taken one giant stop toward becoming irrelevant.

My Reaction: Stability for  the Chicago Rush is a fantastic idea, especially for two guys who have been proven to be valuable additions to this team. Peters specifically has been one of the real anchors of the defensive line. Plus, it’s always good to see two guys get extensions without any cantankerous negotiations. I wish NFL players would take note of this.