My only source for the game is via the free week of MLB Extra Innings. With 2 guys on the Rangers call I couldn't help but laugh when they said "The very popular Paul Konerko coming to the plate". I'm not calling for his head right now but that statement doesn't currently fit too well if they did their homework.

Just as I typed that they were racking their brains on why there is no East side of Chicago after discussing the "North and South side"...

You must be listening to the laughable Josh Lewin on FOX Sports Net Southwest. He looks like a lawyer and was terrible when he called the middle 3 innings with Steve Stone when Harry Caray was still on the North side. He's been awful on "FOX Saturday Baseball", and sounds very similar to another bum broadcaster, Chip Caray. Talk about nails on a chalkboard...For the money FOX Sports is spending on Major League Baseball, they've got some terrible announcers!

It is FOX Sports Net Southwest, but I'm not sure if that's him as he has talked about Chicago in a completely touristy way (I think we even had an Eisenhower throw in there this morning). Just a boring team. Apparently since George Lopez's station (The U) is not primarily sports they aren't involved in ExtraInnings, so Hawk and DJ are MIA for me.

Yeah, and I'm sure Bernie Mac, the dad & daughter on "One on One", the sisters from "Half & Half" and even "Frasier" are wondering why their shows on "The U" were pre-empted tonight and will be Friday night in Detroit...For a first place team, the White Sox aren't playing like one. The starting pitching has hit the wall, the bullpen can't protect leads like they did in the first half, the defense is booting the damn ball around the yard, and the offense is stuck in neutral right now! They only had 5 stinkin' hits tonight and their only run came via a Carlos Quentin homer. The Rangers don't have the pitching on the whole, but they've stymied the Sox so far, both tonight at U.S. Cellular Field & before the break in Arlington, TX. Too bad the Anaheim Angels are running away with their division...

Thank god for JD and Carlos. This lineup would be abysmal without them. Hopefully Buehrle gets the job done tonight so we can get off this losing streak.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Look around the league - every race outside of the AL West is tight. Winning the division wasn't meant to be easy, and the Sox are far from a perfect team. They are streaky. Let's just hope after this latest bad streak, they go on the road, and win 7 of 10 against their immediate competition.

It would be nice, but the White Sox have been as up & down as the Dow Jones Industrial Average or one of those roller coasters at Great America. By the way, for those wondering, Juan Uribe playing third in place of Joe Crede, whose back stiffened before the game this eve...

Every team has their ups and downs, I'd say that they have been mostly up - they are 15 games over .500.

Couldn't agree with you more...

As nice as it was to see the Cuban Missile's GS, Buehrle throwing solid was more comforting in my eyes. It's nice to actually see a pitcher show the rest of the staff that it's possible to contain the Rangers. I look forward to tomorrow's debut by the kid.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Mark showed em what you need to do to contain them. Bust them on the hands repeatedly. That second inning was a masterpiece after the triple by Blalock.

There WILL be retaliation for that pitch that hit Quentin. Especially considering it's a rookie on the mound for the Sox (trying to establish himself as a part of the team), that pitch hit Quentin pretty high, and Dye just missed time due to a HBP.

Maybe Ozzie can order the hit, cause a brawl, and cause multiple suspensions, leading to the demise of this team this year.......

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The defense has been awful so far. To quote the great Mr. Reason, this team fucking blows. They'll be lucky to win 70 games.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

They'll win 70 for sure, but the defense has been awful today. The White Sox have committed 4 errors this afternoon...

Wow, what a fuckin play by Alexei. The kid's a stud.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Everybody thinks Alexei Ramirez will be the White Sox shortstop next season. I'd keep #10 right where he is at second!

I think he's better fine defensively at 2B, but most people who've scouted him say he's better at SS. With Cabrera likely gone next season, that's probably where he's going to be at.

In fact, the White Sox could have a new infield next season - Joe Crede and Cabrera could be gone via free agency next season opening up spots for Fields and Ramirez...2B could be an open audition unless they find a free agent, and 1B could be Nick Swisher if Thome isn't brought back (moving Konerko to DH).

That's exactly what I said in an earlier post, but Alexei has been so good since becoming the full time second baseman in Anaheim, I'm a little reluctant to move Ramirez to short.

They should have some $$$ to spend if they are letting a few of these guys leave after the season so while I think it's likely that Ramirez will be at SS, I haven't ruled out completely that they resign Cabrera.

YES!!!!! Carlos Quentin is the fuckin man! What a rally here the last couple innings.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

What a rally indeed!!! 2 more Quentin homers on a day where the White Sox defense has committed 4 errors today!

Come on Big Boy, close this game out!

It would be really nice, and the Yankees beat the Twins again!

We'll see if it matters or not, but good move by Ozzie to put Swisher at 1B and Anderson in CF for the 9th. On a day with four errors so far, good move.

Was it Ozzie or another coach? Ozzie got tossed.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Too bad Ozzie isn't around to see the end of this one, but a smart defensive move nevertheless. Guillen got in the face of home plate ump Rob Drake in the bottom 7th and got a trip to the showers bitchin' over balls & strikes when Swisher was at the plate...

This one is over, and the Sox pull a rabbit out of the hat 10-8 over Texas! I believe Dotel gets the win in relief & Jenks the save to build the White Sox division lead to 2.5 games over Minnesota in the A.L. Central! What a ballgame!

My mistake on Ozzie getting tossed. I only got a chance to start following this game in the 8th on gamecast on espn.com. Still, a good move, and hope to see that more often down the stretch.

That's quite alright. When the game is on the line and the White Sox are in position to win at the end, "Swish" at first and either Brian Anderson or DeWayne Wise in center in the 9th inning works for me as well...