Sox Can’t Remain Undefeated Against Indians

A rough start to the game for the Sox wasn’t so rough as Philip Humber filled up the bases in the first and second innings but managed to escape both times without giving up any runs with the aid of 5 strikeouts. On the other end Josh Tomlin was cruising efficiently until Adam Dunn took him to the opposite field to record the first tally of the game, giving the Sox a 1-0 lead and temporarily shifting the momentum.

Indians: 6
White Sox: 3

That momentum wouldn’t last long in the top of the fifth Gordon Beckham misplayed (originally marked an error and changed to a hit by the official scorer) what would have been the third out of the inning, allowing Carlos Santana to come to the plate. Santana launched a Pujolsian blast, wait, this is 2012 and Albert Pujols no longer hits homeruns. In any event, Carlos Santana hit the ball very very far and put the Indians up by 2. Alexei would come up clutch in the bottom half of that same inning tying the game back up as it would stay until the 8th inning when the bullpen would falter. Will Ohman getting lots of work today (1.2 innings) after having thrown some pitches in last night’s game was less than effective. After getting himself into a jam Ventura replaced him with Addison Reed who couldn’t strand his inherited runners. Ohman would be tagged with the loss. Back to .500 we go again. Humber, who got a no decision notched a career high in walks with 6.

Plus: Adam Dunn staying on the ball and putting one in the left field seats is always encouraging. Gotta keep big man on track!

Minus: Bullpen usage. I’m not one of those folks that hates Will Ohman. However just because the Indians have lefties in the lineup doesn’t mean Ohman needs to face them all.

Tipping Point:
Carlos Santana’s blast represented the largest shift in expectancy, even though the game was still more than manageable at that point.

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