Southside Showdown » josh tomlin

Case of the Mondays

Matt Adams — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:25:31 +0000

2 games, 2 losses. Not the start to the week the Sox were looking for. In game one Philip Humber had another poor outing in game 1 giving up 8 runs in his 2.1 innings. But that made way for the major league debut of Jose Quintana who delivered 5.2 scoreless surrendering only a single hit. Quintana held the line long enough for the Sox to pose a threat late putting up 2 runs in the 9th but still falling short.

Plenty of good seats available. (David Richard-US PRESSWIRE)

Game 2 saw Josh Tomlin handle us like it was his job again. Well, I mean, it is his job. And he does it well. Eric Stults battled with Tomlin and by the time the game was delayed in the 8th, a pitcher’s duel score of 2-1 waited for the resumption. Prior to the tarp being dragged out, the game went on in the rain just long enough for the Sox to put a pair of runners on with 1 out. When the tarp came off, Alex Rios stroked a single to right field scoring De Aza. Adam Dunn followed with a DP to put an end to any additional scoring and the bottom the 8th would start as a tie.

After having waited out the rain delay to tie the game, The Sox decided that losing was preferable after all. Matt Thornton and his long list of pitches to choose from gave up a few hits and enabled the Indians to plate the go-ahead run and that would prove to be enough.

Plus: Unexpected pitching! Mr. Quintana and Mr. Stults! I wasn’t a fan of Stults being the guy making the start but he came in and did what he was asked to do. I might be crazy (well I am crazy but I might be crazier) but Stults on the mound looks a bit like Jake Peavy from the left side with his movements.

Minus: Matt Thornton is becoming a problem of Linebrink proportions.

You should all be extremely proud of me for keeping off of the Quintana/Lebowski references because it was extremely difficult.

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Sox Can’t Remain Undefeated Against Indians

Matt Adams — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:36:45 +0000

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

Will Ohman is left handed, pitches to all left handers, always. (Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE)

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.

Source: FanGraphs

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Wednesday Lineups vs. Indians

Matt Adams — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:06:46 +0000

Philip Humber will presumably land somewhere in between his last two starts tonight against the Indians. While he’s busy doing that, Gordon Beckham will attempt to build upon the night he had yesterday and give us all hope that the year won’t end with Gordon Beckham on the bench or in another uniform. Word on the street is that there’s been a change in plate approach. Which makes it easier for me to cling to the wishful thinking.

Josh Tomlin will come to the mound for Cleveland. Tomlin faced the Sox once already this year and earned a loss in 5 innings of work, but did manage to strike out 7 batters.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. De Aza – CF
2. Alexei – SS
3. Dunn – 1B
4. Paulie – DH
5. AJ – C
6. Rios – RF
7. Dayan – LF
8. Morel – 3B
9. Gordo – 2B

Paulie’s neck is stiff, so Adam Dunn gets another evening in the field, which should pretty much ensure that we’ll hear a lot of people try and credit his defensive use with his turnaround at the plate for 2012. I betcha. The Royals did us all a favor and defeated the Tigers today so the team is in prime position to finish the evening atop the AL Central shuffle.

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