Same old, same old for White Sox in 3-2 loss to Boston

Posted August 26, 2009 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

The White Sox finally got some needed good news Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the first-place Detroit Tigers lost to the Los Angeles Angels. Later, the Minnesota Twins fell to the Baltimore Orioles.

Were the White Sox able to take advantage of the situation and cut into the Tigers' 4 1/2-game lead in the AL Central? Were they able to pull out of a second-place tie with the Twins?

Or course not.

Again looking like a team with an eye on 2010 instead of October, the White Sox dropped their third straight to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, 3-2.

After Scott Podsednik tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth inning with a pinch-hit solo home run, Boston's David Ortiz ended it in the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off homer against White Sox reliever Tony Pena.

The White Sox (63-64) have lost four straight and are under .500 for the first time since June 28.

An inability to hit in the clutch and poor relief pitching continues to burn the White Sox.

"They don't get the job done," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters. "It's not easy to try to figure out who you're going to pick."

Scott Linebrink failed to hold the Red Sox down Tuesday, and Octavio Dotel flamed out again in the series opener on Monday.

Then, there is the White Sox' offense, which was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position Wednesday after going 3-for-13 in Tuesday's 6-3 loss.

This time, the key moment came in the fifth inning. With the game tied at 1-1 and one out, Carlos Quentin reached on an infield single against Boston starter Tim Wakefield, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Victor Martinez's throwing error.

Instead of at least taking the lead, Alex Rios grounded out to third base and Alexei Ramirez grounded out to first.

"You have to bring those runners in," Guillen said. "That takes a lot of wind out of the game. You have to bring those guys in or sooner or later it's going to cost you."

The White Sox are not even close to playing like a contender, but if they were in any other division other than the AL Central, they'd be down and out.

Even though they are still within reach of the Tigers, the White Sox aren't feeling like they're in a race.

"It feels like we're 20 games out," Guillen said. "But I think the ballclub is better than what its showing right now."

Gregor's game tracker Wednesday's grade: D+. The White Sox got a good effort from starting pitcher Gavin Floyd, but the offense had another off night against veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield and two relievers. No support: The White Sox scored just 1 run while Floyd was in the game. They have totaled 2 or fewer runs for Floyd in 11 of his starts this season. Deep freeze: Jermaine Dye (0-for-4) has 2 hits in his last 26 at-bats. In a pinch: Scott Podesednik hit the first pinch-hit home run of his career, a solo shot in the eighth inning. It was the second pinch HR for the White Sox this season. Dewayne Wise homered on Aug. 6. vs. the Angels.