posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:55 PM
by
Jim
April 16: White Sox 3, Orioles 1
Hi, I'm Jose Contreras. Remember me?
No, not
that Contreras. You're thinking of the guy who was one of the worst pitchers in baseball the last year or so. The guy who dropped down way too much, walked too many batters, then struggled with baserunners.
I'm just the guy with the good forkball. Because I had it, I cut down on the drop-downs, and when I threw sidearmed, I actually located off the outside corner. Kevin Millar had no chance against my rising slider.
Jim Thome's first inning, three-run homer was all I needed. Sure, I ran into a little trouble in the fifth -- a hit and run put runners on the corners with one out, and then Joe Crede made a pointless throw on a ball behind the bag that put runners on second and third in a two-run game. But Luke Scott couldn't figure out my forkball, so I kept throwing it until he struck out. Adam Jones pounded one into the ground at Crede, and Joe made a good throw to end the inning.
They didn't threaten after that. I didn't mess around. I didn't walk anybody, struck out six, got nine groundouts to six flyouts, and only threw 91 pitches after seven. I can't blame them for going to Scott Linebrink, but I could've thrown one more. Fortunately, Liney got the job done, and Bobby Jenks went 1-2-3 after that.
Would I have liked to have more run support? Who wouldn't? I have to admit that I was bummed when Thome was thrown out at third after Nick Markakis couldn't make a diving catch, or when Orlando Cabrera was thrown out at the plate on an A.J. Pierzynski single.
The other Contreras probably would have buckled. I just kept throwing that forkball until they proved they could hit it. They never did.
I know -- I missed you too.
Record: 9-5 |
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