Yes, I’m talking about those pesky White Sox. I don’t know how any team can come to Yankee Stadium, score six runs in a three game series, and walk away with two wins. We’ll get a rematch next weekend in Chicago, and hopefully by then we’re riding a nice fat winning streak and we’re knocking on the other Sox team’s door.
Things got off to a pleasant start on Monday. Mike Mussina was in top form and he outdueled former Yankee hero Orlando Hernandez. El Duque and the Sox pen held the Yanks to only four hits, but one of them was a huge two run shot by Alex Rodriguez. Mariano Rivera, who’s simply been on fire this season, earned his 30th save of the season. Mussina struck out seven through six innings with his only scratch being a two run fifth inning.
That was it. Yesterday, another former Yankee, Jose Contreras was just as lights out. Shawn Chacon, who’s looking like he was worth trading for, was almost as good. The Yanks did finally get on the board in the ninth with a solo shot by A-Rod, but Paul Konerko’s homer in the top half of the ninth gave the Sox the insurance they needed to hand the Yanks the loss.
This afternoon was even more difficult to take. Aaron Small had his best start of the season as he threw seven innings of four hit ball. His one blemish was a single run in the third and he struck out seven. The bats just weren’t there though. Gary Sheffield had an RBI single in the first, but the Sox were held scoreless for the rest of regulation and the one extra frame. Freddy Garcia shut us down and could only manage five hits the entire game and Mariano Rivera ran out of gas in the tenth and the Sox walked away with the win.
So, we’re five games back of Boston in the loss column and four games back of Oakland for the Wild Card. The Texas Rangers head into town, and they’ve been struggling mightily. I think AT LEAST three of four is in order. A sweep would be even better.
Hoping to get in the 1922 World Series Retrospective between now and the Sunday series recap. Check back…often.
