Posts tagged ‘Javy Vazquez’

The best pitching staff in the American League figured to have at least one All-Star right? How about the best hitting catcher not named Joe Mauer? Or the guy with more home runs than Manny Ramirez, Vlad Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, and JD Drew? Or the hot-shot rookie immigrant who’s hit .358 since June 1? Surely one of them merits consideration for the All-Star team, right?

Well, no. AJ Pierzynski, Alexei Ramirez, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Matt Thornton, Bobby Jenks, and the rest of the White Sox all joined with the Final Vote runner-up Jermaine Dye in finalizing thier plans for a four-day vacation next week. Carlos Quention and Joe Crede will represent the Sox in the Farewell to Arms at Yankee Stadium.

While it would’ve been a great source of pride to place two or three more deserving Sox players on what is (in theory) supposed to be a squad of 2008’s best players, it’s not the worst thing in the world to let a surprising team take four full days to rest and recharge before what is certain to be a bare-knuckle brawl in the AL Central during the second half. As play wrapped up after tonight’s 4-1 loss to Kansas City, (where the Sox continued to prove that down is up in 2008 - after consecutive stinkers from Jose “I’m Distracted by My Mancrush on Pablo Ozuna” Contreras and Javy “Did I Really Strike Out 10 Guys in My Last Start” Vazquez, two games the Sox managed to win via late-inning comeback, Mark Buerhle takes a shutout into the 8th inning and LOSES) the Sox are now 53-38, 2.5 up on Minnesota and 7 ahead of the Detroit Tigers with 71 games left to play. After a recent run which has featured up-and-down performances from the starters and a small but significant dip in the bullpen, let’s just get the Pale Hose through this last series in Arlington before a well-deserved break. They’ve already beaten down one set of expecations, now it’s time to rest up and get ready to take down another - the expectation that they can’t possibly keep this up through the end of the year.

Our latest report from Arizona correspondent SoxManDan, who checked in after Monday’s clash with the Milwaukee Brewers (the Sox & the Brew Crew tied, 4-4)…

Another beautiful day in AZ, sunny and 70’s, Maryvale Park, Phoenix. Brewers wearing green caps.

Miller products sold at park, High Life draft $5.25; nice break from Surprise and Peoria $8.00 drafts. Sadly, the seats had no cupholders! There was no pitch speed scoreboard either. Despite these little issues, the park was beautiful and we had seats 4 rows behind home plate, a mere 25 feet from Ozzie sitting next to the dugout and Jerry Reinsdorf and Kenny Williams sitting right behind him in the first row.

Javier Vasquez looked strong at the start, but then lapsed into the old middle-inning jitters (5th), eventually giving up 6H in 4-2/3 innings, 4R (only 1 earned). He had 6 strikeouts and was dominating early. By the way, Javi also had 2 sharp singles hitting in the national league park, drawing “we aren’t worthy” gestures from Ozzie and the bench, very entertaining!

A special note: First spring training GOLDEN SOMBRERO award to “Look at the big bat on Brad!” Eldred. 4 very bad strikeouts, each time walking past the manager, GM and owner towards the dugout, head down…..hang in there, Brad!

Six broken bat plays this game (new spring training record I think).

Logan, Thornton, MacDougal (YIKES), and #89 (mystery man — editor’s note: that would be Justin Cassel) pitched for Sox, adequately.

Mike Cameron hit a long 3-run homer off Vasquez in the 5th.

Ozuna 2 hits, Swisher double, Ramirez double, no other offensive standouts. Game called after 10 innings by mutual consent of managers.

Next reports with co-SOX correspondent Dave “Wimpy” Gallagher (no relation to former Sox outfielder) Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday!