It's nice to see the White Sox win these types of games. Javier Vazquez thrived even without his best stuff, and Sox hitters managed to score enough runs even while grounding into four double plays.
Better yet, when the Sox posted four runs off Jeremy Bonderman to start the ballgame on consecutive run-scoring two-out hits by A.J. Pierzynski, Jermaine Dye and Scott Podsednik, Vazquez didn't give any of it back in the next half-inning.
Vazquez had what I would call a Freddy Garcia-like start. He had some issues locating his fastball, which led to the Tigers cutting that deficit in half in the second inning, but other than a Placido Polanco homer, Javy cruised. He retired the last seven batters he faced, including striking out the side in his last inning of work.
Meanwhile, Jim Thome hit his 490th homer, a no-doubter which Magglio Ordonez didn't even flinch for out in right field. A.J. Pierzynski hit his first home run since
May 20. The Sox added what would prove to be a key insurance run when Thome singled, moved to third on a perfect hit-and-run with Paul Konerko and scored on a wild pitch.
Mike MacDougal struggled in his second outing, but there are still encouraging signs. His fastball was clocked around 96-97 m.p.h. with movement, and he didn't walk anybody. He gave up a single and a double, but Matt Thornton and Bobby Jenks had his back.
Record: 51-59 |
Box score |
Play-by-play