Sox win in extra innings, but Guillen fumes
The White Sox are struggling to reach the .500 mark. The Dodgers are surging toward a possible 100-win season.
It was supposed to be a mismatch, this three-game interleague series, and Los Angeles certainly looked to be in a different class while winning the opener 5-2 on Tuesday.
The Sox fought back in the middle game, winning 10-7 on the strength of 6 home runs, and they rallied back from a 4-0 deficit on Thursday to post a 6-5 win in a 13-inning marathon at U.S. Cellular Field.
The 4-hour, 27-minute game ended when Scott Podsednik singled to short center field off Jeff Weaver with the bases loaded and two outs in the 13th.
Considering L.A. hadn't lost a series since May 22-24, the White Sox were thrilled with themselves, right?
Not so much.
Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, in particular, wasn't happy with an offense that went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
And Guillen was outright angry with shortstop Alexei Ramirez, who made 2 more shaky errors. The first miscue, in the seventh inning, allowed the Dodgers to score an unearned run to tie the game at 5 and ultimately force extra innings.
"The only thing we did, we pitched well after we took (starter Clayton) Richard out," Guillen said. "The bullpen came out and did a tremendous job, and late in the game we got big hits. It's exciting. We've been winning series lately; it's kind of good momentum for the ballclub.
"But in the meanwhile, we had chances earlier. And we played 13 innings because we were lousy in the field. Lousy and lazy in the field. That's the reason I think we played 13 innings."
Guillen was just getting warmed up with Ramirez, who also made an error Wednesday and has 8 for the season.
"I thought he was a better shortstop than me," Guillen said. "I made a big mistake when I said in January he's going to be a better shortstop than Ozzie Guillen. I never thought I was that bad."
Richard struggled, going just 41/3 innings and allowing 4 runs on 6 hits.
But the White Sox' bullpen stepped up big, allowing only 1 unearned run over 82/3 innings.
Sox relievers D.J. Carrasco, Scott Linebrink, Matt Thornton, Bobby Jenks, Octavio Dotel and Aaron Poreda (1-0) didn't allow a hit to the Dodgers' final 23 batters.
Poreda got his first major-league win, but Guillen singled out one relief pitcher in particular for a solid effort - Carrasco. The right-hander pitched 22/3 innings and gave up just 1 unearned run.
"A lot of people try to giving credit to the people and nobody, even us, even me, gives credit to Carrasco," Guillen said. "I think Carrasco is the best pitcher we have. He might not have the numbers, the ERA, but he's always picking up everybody's garbage, and he's been doing that (stuff) for two years. And nobody gives this kid any credit at all.
"The reason we won this game was Carrasco holding those guys once again and giving us the chance to win the game. We won, and that's good. I'm excited, but there are so many things out there I want to see that I don't see yet. And I need to see it."
Scot Gregor's game tracker
White Sox 6, Dodgers 5 (13)
Thursday's grade: B. Scott Podsednik came through with a clutch hit when the Sox needed it most, and the bullpen was outstanding.
Mr. walk-off: The White Sox have two walk-off hits this season, and Podsednik has them both. He also had a game-ending single vs. Detroit on June 11.
Long time coming: The Sox won a home series for the first time since May 22-24, against the Pirates.
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