The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Bullpen Lets One Slip Away

Before you believe all the White Sox fans who are telling you that the Sox are the team to beat in the Central this year, remember this: Chicago's two major problems, a shaky rotation and an aging lineup, are still very much valid reasons why this team won’t threaten Cleveland or Detroit for division supremacy.

That said, the Sox can rake it. They have power pretty much throughout the lineup, such that anyone is a threat to hit for extra bases. Chicago didn’t need much help to look good, but Nick Blackburn gave it to them anyway.

After a stellar outing against the Angels, Blackburn’s control wasn’t nearly as sharp. He allowed nine base runners in only 5 innings, but like Bonser yesterday, usually managed to pitch around it. He left with a 3-2 lead having thrown 90 pitches. This is far too many for a pitcher who relies solely on his control, but he did leave with the lead.

The goat of this game was, uncharacteristically, the bullpen.

Neither Matt Guerrier nor Pat Neshek looked good from the moment either of them took the mound. Both missed their spots, both didn’t miss bats, and both allowed too many base runners. Mistakes like these are uncommon for either reliever, but having both of them do it was what doomed the Twins.

Joe Crede, the #8 hitter, was the one who dealt the crushing blow, and that’s a credit to the skill of the Sox lineup. But it could have been anyone.

The only way for a team to survive when a reliever is off their game is to get a different reliever, and the Twins didn’t make a change quickly enough.

The offense wasn’t stellar, but it should have been good enough. Vasquez allowed his fair share of base runners, but used eight Ks to work around them effectively.

Mike Lamb broke out of his slump, going 2-4 with two doubles and two RBI, but it was just too hard to over come a grand slam so late in the game.

The Good: Mike Lamb: 2-4, 2 2B, 2RBI

The Bad: Nick Blackburn: 5IP, 7H, 2ER, 2BB, 5K, 90 Pitches

The Ugly: Matt Guerrier: 1.1IP, 1H, 2ER, 2BB; Pat Neshek: .2IP, 3H, 3ER, 1HR