White Sox 6, Tigers 0
Two days after watching a ballgame on the Northside, Steph, Adam, Apryl, and I caught the train over to the Southside to see the Sox take on their rivals, the Detroit Tigers. It was going to be my first night game of the season which meant no Nancy Faust. Nancy, as you recall, is the longtime Sox organist. Nancy has been keeping the baseball tradition of live music alive for nearly forty years. With Nancy’s absence, the fans are left with loud rock music blasting through the speakers anytime the ball isn’t in play. And let’s not forget about the endless promotions during every inning break. I mention this because it’s the exact opposite over at Wrigley where promotions are limited and music is sparse.
Once again, we had great seats. In fact, because of our position just beyond third base, I imagined that we would be dodging foul balls all night. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the case. I bet Apryl was probably thankful she didn’t have to duck any line drives!
As for the game, it was another exciting first inning. This time it was the home team (aka The Good Guys) that had the advantage. For the second time this season, I’ve seen a home run from A.J. Pierzynski, who knocked a two-run bomb in the 1st. The Sox added three more in the first, taking an early 5 – 0 lead. In the 4th, Jayson Nix, who had replaced the poorly performing Alexei Ramirez, hit the second home run of the game, and the first of his career! Nix also had some great plays at short stop, which perhaps made Ramirez nervous for a millisecond of a more permanent replacement. The whole substitution ordeal inspired an hilarious strip from the Sox comic Smells Like Mascot.
Like the Cubs game, the real hero was the pitcher. In our case, we came very close to witnessing Mark Buehrle pitch his second no hitter for the Sox. Buehrle was perfect until the seventh when he gave up a double to Ryan Raburn. However, that was all the Tigers were able to get off Buehrle as he went 8 innings with 1 hit, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. During Buehrle’s time on the mound, Adam and I acknowledged what he was close to accomplishing without actually mentioning thus cursing Buehrle. When Raburn finally got the hit, Adam turned to me and said, “Okay, now we can talk about it.” So close.
In the ninth, the Sox brought on Big Bobby Jenks (of course), and he quickly gave up two hits. Buehrle goes 8 innings only giving one hit and just like that Jenks has us worried. No fear. Jenks gets us out of the inning as you can see from the video below:
We were actually lucky to have a good game. José Contreras was scheduled to pitch but because of a rain out the day before, Buehrle was put in the starting position. After Buehrle’s triumphant night on the mound, Contreras was the losing pitcher (0 – 5) the next night with the Sox getting clobbered by the Rangers 0 – 6, and Contreras being sent down to the minors.
Steph and Adam at The Cell.
Adam and I.
Steph and Apryl.
After the game, Adam wanted to check out the Sox gift shop. Not only had I never been inside the gift shop, it never occurred to me to pay it a visit. It was quite extensive yet expensive. I did find a new cap that I liked but they didn’t have it in my size.
I have had a great time having company at my last two Sox games. And inspired by Adam keeping score during the Cubs game, I think I’m going to do the same at my next outing at the ballpark. Go Sox!
