SB Nation Chicago - White Sox Vs. Twins: South Siders Take Series With 3-2 Win In Rubber Match

White Sox Roster: Chicago Releases Veteran Outfielder Dallas McPherson

2012-08-02T18:54:22Z

The Chicago White Sox have announced the corresponding move following their signing of SS Tommy Manzella. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the Sox have released OF Dallas McPherson:

Anyone looking for a dependable reserve corner player? Dallas McPherson released by Triple-A Charlotte.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) August 2, 2012

McPherson, 31, has a .253/.335/.463 slash through 61 Triple-A games. The veteran minor leaguer has played parts of five seasons in the MLB, compiling 414 PA with 18 home runs and a .241/.292/.446 slash.

Tommy Manzella, 29, is a former prospect from the Houston Astros system. He played the first part of the 2012 season with the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks before being released and signed by the White Sox.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. For more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

White Sox Sign Former Astros Third-Round Pick, Assign Him To Triple-A Charlotte

2012-08-02T17:00:04Z

The Chicago White Sox recently signed shortstop Thomas Manzella -- a former third-round pick of the Houston Astros in the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft -- to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte, according to a tweet from the Huntsville Stars' twitter account.

The 29-year-old middle infielder only played 90 MLB games with the Astros, posting a paltry .224/.266/.262 line over 287 total plate appearances between 2009 and 2010, but he has fared much better over his minor league career. This is likely just a depth move to fill out the minor league system, so don't get to up or down about the transaction.

Per the Charlotte Knights PR staff, former @huntsvillestars SS Tommy Manzella signs with Chicago White Sox and assigned to Triple-A.
— Huntsville Stars (@HuntsvilleStars) August 1, 2012

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Sox be sure to visit South Side Sox. For more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

White Sox Vs. Twins Final Score: Jake Peavy Gives Chicago 8 Quality Innings In 3-2 Victory

2012-08-01T20:40:52Z

Jake Peavy allowed just five hits and one earned run over eight innings while striking out eight as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Wednesday in the series rubber match at Target Field. Chicago improves to 57-47 with the victory and Minnesota falls to 44-60.

Each team scored one in the first but the Minnesota took a 2-1 lead in the second when Danny Valencia hit a solo homer, his second of the season. Chicago would tie it in the fifth when Tyler Flowers grounded into a fielder's choice to score Alex Rios. Chicago took the lead for good in the top of the eight inning when Alejandro De Aza scored Flowers on an infield single.

Addison Reed nailed down his 18th save of the year to ensure the victory for Chicago. Peavy moves to 9-7 on the season with the victory.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox and Twins blog Twinkie Town.

The Chicago White Sox Are Moving To A 6-Man Starting Rotation

2012-08-01T17:44:44Z

Opening Day starter John Danks is now out for the season, but the Chicago White Sox still have a surplus of starting pitching. After dealing for former Minnesota Twins starter Francisco Liriano just before trade deadline, Chicago is now set to move ahead with a six-man rotation.

On Wednesday, manager Robin Ventura announced his rotation for the next six games. Philip Humber, Gavin Floyd and Francisco Liriano will face the Los Angeles Angels. Jake Peavy, Jose Quintana and Chris Sale are set to start the following series vs. Kansas City Royals.

The major benefactor of the longer rotation will be Sale, who saw his velocity drop some in his last start. He's reported to have a 'dead arm'. The six-man rotation will give Sale 10 days between starts.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox and Twins blog Twinkie Town.

A.J. Pierzynski Hurls Obscenities At Twins Pitcher Nick Blackburn, Hits Game-Winning Homer

2012-08-01T15:53:50Z

In case you thought the power-hitting catcher playing everyday for the Chicago White Sox this season was someone other than longtime South Side luminary A.J. Pierzynski, worry not: it's definitely still A.J. Pierzynski. After blasting two homers in two games against the Twins this series, Pierzynski now has as many home runs this season (18) as he did each of the last two seasons combined. But make no mistake: A.J. is still very much A.J.

Example A: after scoring the game-tying run in seventh inning on Tuesday against Minnesota, those ever-present microphones in Target Field caught Pierzynski saying "Let's hit this piece of shit!" loud and clear while Twins starter Nick Blackburn toils away in the distance. Important note: Pierzynski reached base after getting hit by a Blackburn pitch, so he had a reason to be upset. The moment was immediately canonized on Deadspin. Yep, classic Pierzynski.

Classic met modern in the top of the ninth when Pierzynski blasted a two-run homer to put the White Sox ahead and snap a two-game losing skid. He's OPS'iong .866 on the season and showing no signs of slowing down. I don't know how this is happening, but the White Sox's postseason chances hinge on A.J.'s insane year continuing.

White Sox Vs. Twins Preview: Peavy Takes Mound With Series Hanging In Balance

2012-08-01T15:21:17Z

The Chicago White Sox will have little room for error as they look to win the A.L. Central in 2012, and that means winning series against teams like the Minnesota Twins. The White Sox haven't had much trouble doing that so far this season, and on Wednesday they'll be looking to take two-of-three from the Twins in Minnesota.

Jake Peavy will be starting for Chicago, and two of his last six starts have come against the Twins. In those starts, Peavy has posted an ERA of only three, but has given up 16 hits in 12 innings. The good news is that he has also struck out 13 in that span.

Here is the Chicago's lineup for today's game:

Game date/time: Wednesday, August 1, 12:10 p.m. CT

Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minn.

TV: CSN

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox and Twins blog Twinkie Town.

White Sox Vs. Twins Final Score: A.J. Pierzynski's 9th Inning Homer Lifts Chicago To Victory

2012-08-01T03:02:29Z

The Chicago White Sox snapped a two-game losing skid by defeating the the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Tuesday night at Target Field. A two-run homer by catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the top of the ninth inning, his 18th of the season, keyed the victory for Chicago. The South Siders improve to 56-47 with the win, while the Twins fall to 44-59.

Francisco Liriano was very solid in his White Sox debut vs. his former team. Liriano struck out eight over six innings while allowing only four hits and two runs over 113 pitches.

Alex Rios and Pierzynski each had two hits for Chicago in the win. Dayan Viciedo drove in the first run on a second inning sac fly, and Alexei Ramirez singled to left to score Pierzynski in the seventh inning.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox and Twins blog Twinkie Town.

White Sox Vs. Twins Lineups: Francisco Liriano Takes The Mound Against His Former Team

2012-07-31T23:58:14Z

The White Sox roll out their usual lineup on Tuesday night against the Twins as they look to bounce back from Monday night's loss. Francisco Liriano will make his first start for the White Sox.

Chicago:

1. Alejandro De Aza (L) CF
2. Kevin Youkilis (R) 3B
3. Adam Dunn (L) DH
4. Paul Konerko (R) 1B
5. Alex Rios (R) RF
6. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
7. Dayan Viciedo (R) LF
8. Alexei Ramirez (R) SS
9. Gordon Beckham (R) 2B

Minnesota:

1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Darin Mastroianni (R) RF
3. Joe Mauer (L) DH
4. Josh Willingham (R) LF
5. Justin Morneau (L) 1B
6. Ryan Doumit (S) C
7. Danny Valencia (R) 3B
8. Brian Dozier (R) SS
9. Jamey Carroll (R) 2B

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox and Twins blog Twinkie Town. For more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.