A loss is a loss, but the Sox are close to breaking out of their slump. There were a few positives to take from today’s 6-4 loss to the Orioles. A pinch hitting Adam Dunn hitting an opposite field, 2-run shot in the 8th inning. Jesse Crain, Will Ohman & Sergio Santos stabilizing the bullpen. the Sox battling back from a 6-1 deficit.

You can tell some of the players are pressing. In the 7th inning, Sox have the bases loaded. Carlos Quentin pops up to 2nd baseman Brian Roberts, and on the first pitch, Alex Rios grounds out. Sandwiched between those 2 was a Konerko bases loaded walk, but they could have had much more, if they would just relax. Sounds easy, but there’s the problem, they are too inpatient.

But, even when they are patient, sometimes things don’t go their way. 9th inning, 2 on, 1 out for the Sox when home plate umpire Rings up Rios on a an pitch that was clearly outside. Home plate umpire Cory Blazer ejected him after he complained. When it rains, it pours.

Up until that point (and the 7th) the Sox had been dead in the water. I guess Cory Blazer wanted to kick more dirt on the Sox’ grave.

So far in first 3 games against the O’s, one inning has done the Sox in. Game one, Baltimore got 5 in the 7th. Game 2 they scored 5 in the 8th. Today, they out up a 4 spot in the 5th inning. So they have scored 14 of their 14 of their 22 runs in 3 innings. In the other 24 innings, they only put up 8 runs.

And it’s not Derrek Lee or Vladimir Guerrero doing the damage. Those 2 have been relatively quiet in the series, combining to go 3-25, with 2 RBI though the first three games. The Sox may want to check out the scouting report on Robert Andino, who is ONLY hitting .500 against the Sox, in 10 at bats.

It’s only been 1 day, but May looks a lot like April.

Good to see Ozzie Guillen back in the dugout after serving his 1-game suspension. Did you see how mellow he was when he came out to defend Rios in the 9th inning? The microscope is on Ozzie right now, so that was the right thing to do. I like how he agreed with his suspension. He knows when to say the right thing, and when to let it rip.

Needing to break a losing steak, the Sox call on their longest tenured players, Paul Konerko and Mark Buehrle to pull them through. The Captain blasted 2 home runs, while the Sox ace went 6.2 shutout innings. Sox win 6-2, taking the final game of the 4 game set against the O’s.

It only took him 6 starts, but Buehrle finally won his 150th career game. I hope he wins 150 more. Buehrle is one of the classiest baseball players I have ever met. For a guy whose won a World Series, been an All-Star, won 2 gold gloves and pitched a no hitter and a perfect game, Buehrle is so down to earth it is scary. Lesser players could learn a lot from him, but they won’t.

I think we can all admit, this season hasn’t been what Juan Pierre expected. I would guess he would say the same thing. Tonight, however, he came through big time. In the 4th he gave the Sox a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, singling home Alex Rios. And did see that catch he made in the top of the 4th? I can promise Brian Roberts won’t.
Pierre dove and caught a tailing fly ball that might have plated 2 runners. That play was so important because we know the Sox have been struggling, and if that ball gets past Pierre it may have popped their balloon again. I am glad it didn’t.

Chris Sales continues to struggle. He looked great, until he plunked Nick Markakis on the hand in the 9th. After that, he lost it, eventually giving up a 2-run bomb to Derrek Lee. It was obvious that the HBP bothered Sale. he’s gotta learn to brush that off, and focus on the next batter.

It’s weird to think that tomorrow’s Sox-Twins series really means nothing.Chicago has lost 5 of 6, and trail the surprising Indians by 9.5 games. Minnesota is even worse. The Twins have lost 5 straight, and trail the Indians by 10 games. It’ll be the battle for last place in the AL Central. Here’s hoping the Sox can win 2 of the 3 games.

Go Sox & Go Adam Dunn