Scatching out the wins

Another come-from-behind win for the White Sox. This team just refuses to go down.
Some people just refuse to give this team credit. But it's a team with good quality pitching and hitters who can scrap together runs to get ahead.

Notes:
1. Little lineup shuffling by Ozzie, putting Aaron Rowand at the 3 spot. While he was only 1-for-4, he delivered when it counted for the second night in a row with a 2-run game winning single.
2. Jose Contreras is pitching pretty well. In the past, he would have fallen apart in situations like the 5th inning. But he kept his head in the game and got it together. Again, it simply cannot be overemphasized how good the White Sox starters have been throughout the season in staying in the ballgame for six innings or more. It keeps the 'pen fresh for the latter part of the season.
3. Cliff Politte is simply dominating these days. I don't quite know what clicked, but he's simply blowing hitters away with his fastball.
4. It was great to see Frank Thomas get a standing ovation. He deserves all the accolades and applause he gets from the Chicago crowd. And his presence in the dugout and the field makes this team instantly better.

Concern:
Why does Ozzie insist on playing the likes of Willie Harris and Timo Perez so often? There's a reason why they're coming off the bench, and the Sox have enough off days to give the starters (i.e. Iguchi) some long stretches of playing time. It's important to keep the reserves fresh, but you can do that through defensive substitutions (Harris has better range than Iguchi) or pinch runners (Konerko, Everett and Thomas are all station to station runners).

All in all, it was a good series. The Sox get Kansas City at home, then the Cubs for another series with an off-day sandwiched in between. They should make the most out of the extended home stay.

Clutch.

It's been a while since I've posted the last time. Lot of things went on, and I haven't had time to take a breath and catch up with life.

Being in Minneapolis for work is tough, for baseball purposes. The Metrodome can be seen from my livingroom, just out the window. It's a baseball mausoleum, but at least it's something.

Thank god for WGN Superstation. Things looked bleak, especially after the Dodgers scored the third run on a wild pitch. But this team is different than the other ones. This team feels just like the 2000 White Sox. Even if they're down to the last three outs, you get the feeling that they've got a shot at coming back.

5-3 win, 6.5 game lead over the Twins. There are still a whole lot of games to play, but if the Sox keep it up, I don't see them staying home when October comes around.

Notes:

1. Aaron Rowand had a good at bat. He stayed with Brazoban, and got something he can poke out into the outfield. It was a pretty cheap hit, but whatever works.
2. I don't understand why closers think it's beneath them to hold runners on base. If Willie Harris didn't steal second, the outcome might have been a lot different.
3. The heart of the lineup finally looks like something that pitchers should be afraid off. Frank Thomas, regardless of whether he can run, field or how old he is, is one of the most prolific hitters in the history of baseball. There should never have been any question whether his return would ruin the team's progress. And the 3-4-5 trio of Thomas, Konerko and Everett is pretty good, since all three are swinging the bat well. Looking up and down the roster, the only hitters with question marks are Uribe and Crede. But their defensive plays justify their playing time. And frankly, there isn't anyone else in AAA who can replace either of them right away.