Sox to play tiebreaker, start O's series
08/24/2008 8:30 PM ET
By David Just / MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The White Sox have a doubleheader of sorts on Monday in Baltimore, with the scheduled completion of their April 28 home game against the Orioles and the regularly scheduled contest to follow.
The first game was suspended after the 11th inning with the score tied, 3-3, because of rain, and even though the game will be played in Baltimore, the White Sox are the home team for the remaining innings.
Manager Ozzie Guillen has yet to choose a pitcher to pick up where Scott Linebrink left off in the suspended game. Linebrink has been on the disabled list since July 26, so he won't be getting the call.
"We're going to see how we use the bullpen [on Sunday], then we'll make the decision [on Monday]," Guillen said. "It all depends. It's either going to be [D.J.] Carrasco or [Matt] Thornton. It's between those two guys."
The first three batters due up for the Orioles are Kevin Millar, Aubrey Huff and Luke Scott, who are left-handed. That makes Thornton, a lefty, the likely candidate.
The lineup and batting order of both teams must remain exactly the same as the lineup at the moment of the suspension, and no player removed before the game was called may be returned to the lineup.
But, a player who was not with the club when the game was suspended may be used as a substitute, even if he has taken the place of a player no longer with the club. That gives the White Sox a few options, since Carrasco and Horacio Ramirez have been added to the bullpen, and Ken Griffey Jr. to the outfield in the meantime.
On Saturday, Guillen selected Clayton Richard to start the regularly scheduled game that follows.
Richard is currently on his second stint with the big league club, recalled last week to start against Seattle. Despite a disappointing three starts during his first callup, the left-hander impressed against the Mariners, throwing six shutout innings and walking just one batter.
Does he hold similar expectations this time around?
"Not really," Richard said. "Just go out there and try to make them put the ball in play and let our defense do the work. Hopefully, I can get early contact and let our defense make the plays."
Richard's undefined role on the team doesn't change his outlook or approach. Since the White Sox will shift to a four-man rotation after his start on Monday, Richard will be relegated to relief duties.
"It's a little bit different," Richard said. "I don't know if it's tough, just something you get used to. I've kind of gotten used to it. Just being ready to pitch every day."
Pitching matchup
CWS: LHP Clayton Richard (1-2, 6.75)
In his last start, Richard earned his first Major League win with a dominating performance against the Mariners. The left-hander scattered five hits over six shutout innings. He struck out only two batters, but issued just one free pass. In his next start, Richard will be facing the Orioles for the first time in his career. Of his four starts, the two at home were much better than the two on the road. Richard gave up nine runs in 4 1/3 innings at Kansas City on Aug. 3.
BAL: LHP Chris Waters (2-0, 4.98)
Waters has yet to follow up his dazzling Major League debut with anything even close to that eight-inning, one-hit performance, but he did show improvement in his last outing when he was able to overcome a shaky first two innings -- where he allowed four runs -- to settle down, get through five, and take home his second Major League win. He was given enough cushion to work with -- the Orioles scored 11 runs in support of the left-hander -- and was able to regain command of his fastball and challenge hitters in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
Tidbits
Guillen was asked on Sunday to identify what worries him most about his club down the stretch. His answer is likely shared by a handful of other managers. "Health," Guillen said. "If we stay healthy, I think this ballclub is going to compete all year long. I think those guys compete well. I think those guys are hungry." ... Javier Vazquez moved past Al Leiter and Andy Pettitte into 65th place on the all-time strikeouts list with 1,978 after his loss on Saturday. ... The White Sox have scored 10 runs in a game 16 times this season compared to just 10 times in 2007. They have also scored five or more runs in a single inning 20 times and have batted around 23 times.
I didn't know newbies were allowed to play in this game. Its gonna be wierd seeing the Sox in the road greys as the "home" team. Best case scenerio is to hit a HR right off and take the win, and take it right to 'em for the regular game. Have a chance to pick up a game and a half on the Twins tommorow, and it would be very nice to do just that.
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As for the rules, Griffey is eligible because he wasn't on the team back in April. By the way, Joe Crede has been activated from the DL, and DeWayne Wise has been placed there with a groin injury.
