Long Day for the Sox

By: Jerome Cusson

After a long day that included a statue unveiling, a major milestone, a trip to the DL for one Sox starter, and two starting pitchers who didn’t see the fifth inning, the Chicago White Sox finally lost to the Kansas City Royals 8-7

After the pomp and circumstance of the pre-game ceremony honoring Harold Baines ended, starters John Danks and Bryan Bannister each labored through the early innings. The bullpen’s for both teams settled the game down. Ultimately, the Kansas City Royals were able to come up with the victory after Esteban German, who seemed to torture the Sox all game long, hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to give the Royals the lead for good.

Ross Gload, a former Sox first basemen, also did damage to his former team by going 1-2 with two RBIs.

“We played terrible,” Sox manager Ozzie Gullien said. “We gotta worry about us. Kansas City showed up and kicked our butts.”

The White Sox did have some good news as Jim Thome collected his 2,000 career hit in the seventh inning. He is now just one of nine players to get 2,000 hits and 1,500 walks.

“That’s a lot of hits,” Thome said. “But the most special thing was hitting it the other way. It’s been something I’ve been working on the last two to three weeks.”

In addition to the loss, the Sox received some bad news on the injury front. Jose Contreras was put on the D.L. retroactive to July 18 due to a sore shoulder. Nick Masset is expected to make the start for Contreras Tuesday night against Texas. Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye was also hit by a pitch and suffered a bruised knee. He is day-to-day. After the game, Sox reliever Adam Russell was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

Thanks to a Twins loss on Sunday, the Sox remain in first place going into a series with the Texas Rangers. The Sox are hoping to avenge a series defeat just before the All-Star break.

“We’re in for a dogfight,” Sox outfielder Nick Swisher said. “We need to take care of the things we can take care of.”

Sox Honor Baines

Before the game Harold Baines was given a statue in his honor in right field. Hosted by NBC’s Warner Saunders, Baines unveiled his statue and even spoke about this honor. A man of a few words, Baines thanked his family, friends, and teammates. Coming close to breaking down, Baines was still able to finish his speech.

Former Sox third basemen Robin Ventura was one of many there to honor his former teammate.

“It’s a great deserving honor,” Ventura said. “After everything he’s done in leading the way for the White Sox and went about his business, he’s really shown everyone what it takes to succeed.”

Ventura believes that although he never hit sixty home runs or put up some of the gaudy numbers witnessed in the 90s, he was very consistent throughout his career.

Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski agreed. “He’s been great for the Sox. He embodies the Sox, and is a class guy.”

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Jerome Cusson is a proud graduate of Columbia College Chicago. Currently, he is a freelance writer and a contributer to such websites as The Cool Kids' Table and giveawaytheending.com. Check out his NSR blog as well.

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