Weekend update

Well, I thought that by today we'd have greater clarity on where the Sox stood in the final push to catch the Twins. But after splitting a 4 game series in Cleveland, we're back to the same place we were on thursday - 2 games under under .500 and 8 games back.

On saturday, the Sox won 5-3, Contreas gets the win, and a Konerko homer that brings in 3 is the difference. Again, the pen nearly blows it, as Adkins gave up back-to-back homers with one out in the 9th. Ugh. Based on Loaiza's demotion to the pen in the Bronx, the Contreas trade is looking genius at this point... But wait til next week.

Sunday was a mess. Sox get only 2 hits in a 9-0 loss. Garland gives up 6 runs in 7 innings, including 4 homers.

Lucky for the Sox, the Twins lost 2 of 3 in SoCal. Cleveland stays 7 back, the Sox at 8 (and, again, two games under .500). The Twins go home to take on Texas. The Sox get the Phillies make up game this afternoon on the south side, and the big series with Oakland beginning tomorrow. Buehrle is on the mound today in a game the Sox should win. They could pick up a half game in the standings, which would be nice. There's a lot of baseball left to play, but the Sox need to get hot now. If they're still 7 back next monday, it's over.

I bought my discount bleacher seats today for tuesday's game. The system actually allows you to print the tickets yourself. On the paper ticket, there's a section labeled "upcoming promotions", and reminds us to purchase tickets now for the August 21st game agsinst the Red Sox, for the Loaiza Bobble Head Doll giveaway night.

DOWN ON THE FARM:

(AAA- Charlotte Knights): saturday lost to Richmond 7-5. Munoz gives up 7 runs in 5 innings. Torres, Nelson and Bell each had 2 hits. sunday' s game was cancelled due to rain.

(AA - Birmingham Barons): Won big on saturday 12-5. Sasser is a machine; 3for5 with 3 RBI. Heath Phillips gives up 5 runs in 5 innings, but still gets the win. the relief was perfect. sunday they won again 2-1, with Bikowski getting 3 hits. Spidale's homer was the difference.Villacis gives up one run in 6 1/3, and stikes out 10.

(A - Winston-Salem Warthogs): Won on saturday 7-1. Good outing for Sean Tracy who gives up one run in 7 innings, and strikes out 6. The top of the Hog lineup accounts for all the hits and runs. Sunday, the Hogs got off to a rough start, but beat Salem 10-9. Reynoso gets shelled for 4 runs in 1 2/3rds, though he stuck out 3. Rogowski (LF) gets 2 more hits, Molina (C) drives in 3.

(A - Kannapolis Intimidators): saturday they lost to Hickory 9-4, thanks to 4 errors, two of which were commited by Antoin Gray (2B). Brandon Bounds (DH) goes 3for4. A bad outing for Byeong Hak An, who who gives up 3 runs in 4 innings, striking out none. sunday was a rain out.

(Rookie - Great Falls White Sox): saturday they won 9-6 and Collaro goes 3for5. Again. Amazing. And he was rewarded by being named Pioneer League Co-Player of the Week. Over that time, he batted .538, going 14for26, 2 homers, seven RBI, two runs scored, OBP of .571, SLP of 1.000 and currently has a 7 game hitting streak going. So far his season, he's hit .295 with 16 homers and 62 RBI in 60 games. Also notable on saturday, Boomer Barry goes 4for5. sunday they also won 9-5. Collaro only gets one hit, but Cook goes 3for4.

It was a crappy, cold weekend. I put in some much needed family time and actually had a better time than I thought. I'm looking forward to tomorrow...girls from the nieghborhood!