Sox Hold On To Win AL Central
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Smile Politely party at Mike ‘N Molly’s last night. It was a lot of fun, despite the baseball game, which was won by the White Sox, 1–0. Chicago wins the AL Central and advances to the playoffs to face Tampa Bay, starting tomorrow night.
Surprisingly, there were a couple of groups of Twins fans that filed in right around 6:30 p.m., and we outnumbered the Sox fans (at least those in caps or jerseys, anyway) in the place for the majority of the evening. Too bad it wasn’t a better show for the displaced faithful.
In a game that featured a grand total of seven hits and 13 baserunners, every opportunity was magnified. Like has been the case all season, whatever offense the Sox generated came courtesy of the long ball, in this instance a towering seventh-inning shot by Jim Thome off Twins starter Nick Blackburn.
The only legitimate scoring chance the Twins had all night was in the fifth, when Michael Cuddyer, making the surprise start at DH, hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on Delmon Young’s fly out. Then Brendan Harris hit a shallow fly ball to center, and Cuddyer tagged up. Ken Griffey, Jr.’s throw was not especially strong, but it was accurate and easily handled by A.J. Pierzynski, who held his own and held onto the ball as Cuddyer tried to bowl him over. Cuddyer didn’t make solid contact with Pierzynski, and while replays showed a lot of white peeking out of A.J.’s glove, the ball didn’t pop all the way free.
Some nights, especially on the road, Minnesota will only generate one chance to score a run, and last night they just didn’t capitalize. Of their five baserunners, three were erased on double plays, meaning only 29 men came to the plate for the Twins on the evening. A tip of the cap to Sox starter John Danks, who kept the Twins hitters, especially Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, off-balance all evening. Credit is also due to the Sox’ defense, which was solid if not spectacular after several shaky outings last week at the Metrodome.
Now, after struggling for the last month of the season, Chicago enters the postseason tied with the Phillies for the longest current winning streak of any playoff team, a whopping three games. Check back in next Wednesday for an update on their progress, as well as some divisional postseason awards.
3 comments
Brian. Just Brian.
‘Twas a great game last night, Joel, between two equally deserving teams, although one team deserved it more ;)
Sorry to see, though, that your Twins didn’t make it. If only you were the AL-East. We don’t need any more New Englanders making it to the playoffs.
djward
Geez. I recognize that there are only three Sox fans in east-central Illinois (and I’m very proud to be one of them!), but it’s a sad thing that the only coverage the Sox get on this otherwise seemingly Cub-centric site is by a friggin Twins fan! Aaahh! No respect, no respect. Typical…we sorry Sox fans are used it though. Even growing up 18 miles outside of Chicago, there were only a handful of Sox fans in my school. We all got together early on, and, ignored by the Cubs faithful all around us, started cultivating our undying bitterness of all things Cubs, which continues to this day (yes, I admit that it is sad and I should get over it, but such is life, and I won’t).
That being said…Joel, I enjoy your articles and your bringing some airtime to the AL Central. As a fellow American League fan trapped in the land of Cubs and Cardinals, I support you!
Go Sox! Tuesday night was incredible. And, I’d say Go Dodgers, but that would just be rude.
Screw the Sox. Try being a Cardinals fan in downstate Illinois—Cardinals country!—and being surrounded by all these suburban Chicago kids who love the Cubs. PUKE. At least I have WDWS and now (finally!) Fox Sports Midwest so I can at least watch most of the games.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
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I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
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I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
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What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.