Neither Heaven nor Iowa (baseball movie reference--which one?), but Cusick Field made an idyllic backdrop nonetheless under beautiful baseball skies for today's match-up between the White Sox and the Angels.
Both teams were short-handed for this one. The Angels called up three AA players to fill holes in their lineup. The White Sox had Terrence for one more game and also called up Connor from the White Sox AA affiliate Durham Bulls. The Sox were looking to strengthen an already potent lineup with the addition of these two sluggers. The scrappy Angels were in the hunt for their first win after being on the short end of three tight games in a row. This game had the makings of a real dog fight.
Dan would start for the Sox. The hard-throwing righty was eager for some work after throwing only 16 pitches in the Sox victory over the Giants the night before. He had a good fastball going for him this afternoon, and he had a loose and relaxed confidence about him as he threw his warm-up pitches.
The Angels' leadoff hitter stepped in and ripped one to Tim at shortstop who fired across the diamond to Jared at first for out number one. Dan struck out the next batter and got the third to fly out to Connor at left field to complete a 1-2-3 first for the Sox. It was a nice grab by Connor who had to run hard back on it.
Tim led off for the Sox in their half of the first and worked a walk. He stole second and advanced to third on a productive ground ball off the bat of Tom, who nearly hustled out an infield hit. He was out by half a step. One out for Jared and Tim at third. Jared looked at strike one, fouled off strike two, and got all of a fastball over the heart of the plate sending it into right center field for a single that scored Tim, and the Sox would get on the board first. 1-0 after one.
Top two, and Dan was in a groove. He struck out the side to preserve the Sox slim lead.
Will led off the Sox second with a walk and promptly stole second. Turns out he has some serious wheels. Micah stepped in next and ripped a single to left with a quick compact swing. This kid is starting to hit, and he will be doing big damage for the Sox down the stretch. Drew would battle back from 0-2, work the count full, and then take the free pass to load the bases for Connor. Connor put a tight power swing on a good fastball and launched it into deep left field for a bases clearing double. For the second night in a row the Sox would benefit from some clutch hitting by a new addition to the team. Last night it was Terrence. Tonight it was Connor, who would put the Sox up by four with one swing of the bat.
The show would go on in the bottom of the second. After Connor, Tim would single in a run to make it 5-0, and Tom would hit an absolute bomb to left center that would roll all the way to the fence. Tim would score and Tom would be standing up at third base with a triple. 6-0, Sox. Tom would score on a double off the bat of Dan who has been knocking the cover off the ball during the last three games. The Sox would put up six runs in a big second and take command 7-0 after two complete.
Dan would put up a third scoreless inning, striking out the first two he faced and then getting a third to ground to Jared at second who flipped to first to end the inning and a fine start for Dan. He struck out 6, gave up 0 earned runs, and scattered 2 hits over three innings of work.
Micah would work a walk and Terrence would extend his hitting streak in the bottom of the third with a hard single up the middle, but the Angels' pitcher would work out of the jam and keep the Sox from adding to their lead.
The Sox sent Tom to the hill in the fourth. The flamethrower would mow down the Angels clean-up hitter with three pitches, induce the next batter to pop up to first base where Tim would haul in out number two. Tom got the third looking to put up another 0 for the Sox. Sox catcher Mike notched another solid stint behind the plate, making several key stops that kept runners from advancing.
Tom would continue to make some noise at the plate in the Sox half of the fourth with a double to deep center. He would score on a single off the bat of Dan and the Sox extended their lead to 8.
But the Angels would piece together a nice rally in their half to cut the lead to 6. 8-2, Sox going into the bottom of the fifth.
Micah worked another walk, and Terrence hit a shot into center field to put two on with one out. The Angels' pitcher would bear down, though, and strike out two to shut the door on the fifth.
Last chance for the Angels. With rally caps on, they were revved up in the dugout and ready to make the most of it. A 6-run cushion is not a comfortable one with the top of a dangerous Angels order coming to the plate. Tom was not phased, though. He just stuck to his routine, made his pitches, and closed it out with a ground ball to Jared at second and two Ks.
This game required contributions from every player. We needed to make plays in the field, make our pitches, and produce at the plate to overcome a resurgent Angels squad that is much better than their record indicates. A huge thank you goes to Terrence and Connor for their part in this win. Both were clutch at the plate and played solid defense in the field.
The game ball was awarded to Dan who was very effective in three shut-out innings on the mound and very productive at the plate with two hits, including a long double, and two RBI. Congratulations, Dan!
After two games in two days, the Sox now get a short break to rest up for their showdown with the Orioles on Wednesday at Newman. See you there!
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