The best that the Chicago White Sox could hope for Thursday night was a win to split the series. Things didn’t work out that way, though, as Cody Ross’ hot bat won it for Boston 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth.
Jose Quintana was absolutely stellar once again. Blanking the Red Sox for eight innings, Quintana looked like he was on his way to his fifth win. In a questionable managerial decision, Robin Ventura opted to put in Matt Thornton for the final frame instead of leave Quintana in to complete the game. After putting two men on, Addison Reed was sent to the mound. A few pitches later and the Red Sox were gathering around home plate as they waited for Cody Ross to round third. Ross’ home run was his third in two days off White Sox pitching.
Quintana brilliant in no-decision
The Red Sox’ starter Clay Buchholz didn’t do too bad himself since the White Sox were only able to score one run all game. That one run came in courtesy Alex Rios’ RBI. It was his 52nd of the season. Rios is second on the team for RBIs, trailing only Dunn’s 65.
Despite today’s tough loss, the White Sox have to shrug it off and look forward to this weekend’s key series against the Detroit Tigers. Detroit has eclipsed the Indians in the race for first and are only a 1 1/2 games back. Their ace Justin Verlander will take the mound Friday, but he’ll have good competition in Jake Peavy. Peavy is 7-6 this year, but that record is very misleading. His ERA is at a respectable 3.12. One thing to worry about is that Verlander has been amazing this year at home, holding batters to a very low .164.
Unfortunately, games like Thursday’s happen. Ventura has been getting praise for his professional and calm attitude when dealing with losses such as these. This kind of focus is very important if the Sox want to come out of Detroit on Sunday still in first place.
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