Big Game Bedwetting...Sox Cannot Capitalize Again After Twins Loss - Lose to Indians 12-6 (Game 160, '08)

After Matt Thornton surrendured one of the seemingly endless runs that crossed the plate for the Indians tonight, a television shot of Ozzie hurling the gum out of his mouth said it all.  At this point, it seems no matter who Ozzie puts out there, everyone gets hit - starters, bullpen guys...it simply doesn't matter.  Vazquez did his usual 'big game' bedwetting. Ozzie is looking for answers where there are none.  Mark Buehrle goes tomorrow, but on short rest after throwing some 120 pitches in his excellent but not victorious start against Minnesota. He's the right man for the job, but it's a lot to put on the veteran's shoulders.  The Sox HAVE to win tomorrow.

When I saw Thornton get lit up, I had a feeling there was nothing doing for the Sox tonight.  When your better relievers get hit, there isn't much you can do.  Linebrink's 4 earned runs out of the bullpen shows where he's at.  In short, Ozzie really has nobody in the bullpen he can rely on.  Everyone is suspect, even Bobby Jenks after his eighth inning implosion in Minnesota when the Sox were up by 2 with 5 outs to go and couldn't close the door. 

It all comes down to tomorrow.  If the Sox lose and the Twins win, it's over.  If the Sox win, or if they lose and the Twins lose, there will be Monday baseball against the Tigers.  The White Sox need to win at least two more games, and hope the Royals can continue their surprising dominance against the Twins.  I can hardly believe what I'm seeing.  If you would have told me the Twins would lose two to the Royals, I would have told you the Sox were going to win the division.  But the White Sox haven't won a ballgame in seemingly forever.  And since their bullpen no longer exists, and the hitters are hot and cold, it's hard to imagine this squad ever winning another game in 2008.  I hope they do tomorrow afternoon...and live to see another day...