Thursday, January 1, 2015

ALWC - "Say it ain't so Joe" - Saunders flirts w/No-No as Halo pen crumbles to Thomas and company

October 2 at Anaheim – White Sox 5, Angels 4
7 innings of no hit ball
“What Happened”? Heading into the 7th inning, Joe Saunders and the 2007 Angels were in complete control of this wild Card match-up. In fact, Saunders was hurling a no hitter against the 2000 White and the Halos were leading 4-0.  Casey Kotchman hit a solo homer in the 2nd to put Anaheim on top. Kendry Morales hit another in 4th for a 2-0 lead. In the 5th, Maicer Izturis doubled in Chone Figgins and Vlad Guerrero singled in Izturis. Paul Konerko led off the ChiSox 7th with a base on balls. It was the fifth free pass issued by Saunders. Manager Dovid Zaner brought in Darren Oliver to preserve the no-no. He retired Jose Valentin, but Herbert Perry followed with the Sox first base knock. Charles Johnson walked to load ‘em up. Chris Singleton hit a scorching liner that was snared by 2B Izturis. Justin Speier was called in to get the third out. He did, but not until after Ray Durham singled to score two. Following a 1-2-3 Anaheim 7th, Chicago was back at it again with Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez singling off Scott Shields. Konerko grounded into a double play, but Valentin smacked a 2-run blast to tie the game at 4-4. The Angels got a man on in the B8th, but failed to advance him. The White Sox got 2 on, 2 out in the 9th facing Chris Bootcheck. The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas worked a full count, then grounded a single through the hole at short and plated Chris Singleton with what proved the be the winning run. Gary Matthews, Jr. led off the b9th with a single, moved to 2nd on a ground out, but was there at the end when Keith Foulke fanned Guererro. White Sox win 5-4. Chad Bradford, the 4th of Chicago’s 6 pitchers was the WP. 

The "Big Hurt" with a big "little" shot

--submitted by Bruce Thomas--

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