Nailbiter... White Sox Manage 8-7 Win in Extras Over KC (Game 90, '08)

Watching this game late into the night was a bit nerve-wracking. After 13 tense innings, I wonder how the players will feel this morning.  On the positive side, the White Sox managed to pull out a win in a very difficult situation, with just one out and the bases loaded with Mark 'Sox-Killer' Grudzielanek at the plate against Masset, who earned the win.  I was almost sure Grudzielanek was going to dump a base hit into the outfield as he seems to alwyas do against us.  Instead he grounded out right up the middle into a double play.  It couldn't have happened any better. 

What could have been better was the White Sox' play.  Blown leads were the theme in this see-saw battle and this game really could have gone either way.  With a two-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth, I thought the White Sox had an excellent chance to win it in regulation.  Linebrink blew it again, and as I've said before, he is not a closer.  He is a fine setup guy, but nailing down those last three outs is something he just doesn't look comfortable doing no matter how many times I see this guy trotted out there in the ninth.  I know Ozzie doesn't have a lot of choices.  I suppose for me, the guy I would like to see there while Jenks is out is Matt Thornton.  I don't trust Dotel in that role even though he has experience doing it.  There is a reason he is no longer the closer on a team. 

The White Sox need Bobby Jenks back and they need him back strong and ready to go for the second half after the All Star Break.  As Steve Stone says, there are very few guys with the mentality and makeup to hold down that role of closer on a Major League team.  This recent stretch of 'bullpen by committee' the Sox have been forced into has proven the absolute necessity to me for a closer now more than ever.  At least they won, and have a chance at a series win with a victory today.  The White Sox had a lot of fight last night and battled to the end.  I give them credit for that.