Sox Lose Behind Danks, 12-5 to the Twins (Game 8, '08)

For a while there, Johns Danks was not pitching great, but he was keeping the Sox in the game at least, with only three runs given up. I remember hoping he could keep the Twins right there and our offense could come back.  Still, while watching Danks labor through the early innings, I had a feeling tonight he was like a weak dam about to break, and I was right, as the flood opened up a 5-run third inning for the Twins.  Masset also had his problems in relief, and was clearly not the same guy he was when he came in for relief of Mark Buehrle on opening day and shut down the Indians.  Tonight, the White Sox just got beat plain and simple.  I would rather have that than a game lost because of lack of hustle, heart, or mental mistakes.  Still, this is just one possible look at what could be a dangerously suspect back-end of the rotation. We shall see how Contreras fares tomorrow. 

I'm hoping Danks and Floyd can at least be serviceable - good enough to keep the Sox in enough ballgames to win, but the loss of a proven veteran guy like Garland shows up on nights like tonight.  I really like Cabrera, but we now have essentially two-fifths of an unproven starting rotation, and a pitcher in Contreras I personally don't know what we're going to get from start to start.  Vazquez is usually good, but can be pretty shaky.  With the exception of Buehrle's opening day showing, I believe he is the only true 'rock' of a starter I as a White Sox fan can count on to go seven strong almost every start to enable the bullpen and Sox offense to do its job.  I think by the end of May, we will truly know what this team is about.  Sure, they have heart, personality, and they don't quit, but no matter how good the clubhouse attitude is, the pitching needs to be there, or this team will not succeed. 

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