SB Nation Chicago - Athletics Vs. White Sox: Chicago Takes The Series From Oakland With Sunday's 7-3 Win

A.J. Pierzynski Scores From First On A Groundout To Short

2012-08-13T19:03:27Z

This summer on the 18U elite club baseball tournament circuit, I witnessed a catcher allow a passed ball on ball four, slowly saunter to said passed ball, throw the ball into centerfield when the batter took off to second when he realized the catcher had no shot at throwing him out because of the backstop's laziness, then drop a throw from the shortstop when the middle infielders decided not to get the ball to the pitcher, allowing the batter to score from third. In short, what I essentially observed was a kid scoring on a walk.

This may be worse only because it happened to major leaguers and not going-to-be freshman in college. Video of everybody's favorite ~~douchehat~~ White Sox, A.J. Pierzynski, scoring from first on a groundout to short.

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Description of above video via Deadspin:

In the bottom of the seventh of yesterday's game against Oakland, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez hit a grounder to the left side of the infield. Third baseman Adam Rosales and shortstop Cliff Pennington both went for the ball. Meanwhile, White Sox catcher and notable asshole AJ Pierzynski took off from first. Seeing that Rosales wasn't anywhere near the bag, Pierzynski rounded second and headed for third. Derek Norris, the Oakland catcher, spotted Pierzynski going for third and went to cover the bag. This left no one at the plate and Pierzynski was free to stroll on in for a run...

For everything awful there is to say about A.J., the guy is probably one of the more heads up baseball players around. (Most notably was the triple deke on a drop third strike in the 2005 playoffs against the Angels.) He always seems to pick up on other teams' mental mistakes and takes advantage of them. That's why I can't hate him, even though I want to. He's a smart baseball player. He just has the people skills of Buddy Ackerman. Regardless, I do know one thing, he wouldn't allow a kid to score on a walk.

Twitter @ZWMartin

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Athletics Vs. White Sox Final Score: Chicago Wins 7-3

2012-08-13T01:45:05Z

Chris Sale struck out 11 batters, A.J. Pierzynski hit another home run and the Chicago White Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics 7-3 at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday.

Sale went 6-2/3 innings for the White Sox, allowing two runs on six hits.

The White Sox offense got on the board in the third inning thanks to an Adam Dunn sacrifice fly, then blew the game open with a five-run sixth inning. Pierzynski hit a two-run homer in the sixth, which was followed by RBI hits from DeWayne Wise and Gordon Beckham.

Chris Sale improved his record to 14-3, and the White Sox are now 62-51 with a two-game lead over the Tigers in the AL Central.

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

Paul Konerko Injury: White Sox 1B Will Not Travel To Toronto With Team

2012-08-12T19:11:50Z

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko will not travel with the team to Toronto after being diagnosed with a concussion on Wednesday, as Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago reports. The team is heading north after Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics, but Konerko will be sticking in Chicago to recover from the head injury.

According to Levine, the White Sox said on Sunday that there's been slight improvement in Konerko's condition since he caught an elbow to the head on Tuesday night. The first baseman has been on MLB's special seven-day concussion list since Friday.

There's no way to treat the concussion other than rest, so Konerko is simply taking some time off before a complete examination is done on Monday. If doctors believe he's good to go, he'll begin baseball activities again on Tuesday with an eye on returning to the team on Friday against the Kansas City Royals.

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

White Sox Vs. Athletics Preview: Series Hangs In Balance On Sunday

2012-08-12T14:59:17Z

The Chicago White Sox enter Sunday's game vs. the Oakland Athletics with a one-game lead on the Detroit Tigers in the A.L. Central, and they'll be looking to keep that pace (or extend it) with a win. On the mound for Chicago will be Chris Sale, who will be opposed by Bartolo Colon.

Sale, who has been given extra rest thanks to Chicago's extended rotation, has been just about unhittbale at home, posting a 1.71 ERA and an 0.85 WHIP in nine starts in Chicago this season. Colon, meanwhile, hasn't given up an earned run in any of his last three starts, a streak which has spanned 20.2 innings.

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

Location: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Ill.

TV: CSN

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

Athletics Vs. White Sox Final Score: Chicago Bullpen Spoils Comeback, Oakland Wins 9-7

2012-08-12T03:22:19Z

The Chicago White Sox (61-51) could not hold their late lead against the Oakland Athletics (61-52) Saturday night as they lost in a 9-7 heart-breaker at home.

SP Francisco Liriano lasted only 3.0 innings against the surging Oakland lineup, and he surrendered a total of 6 ER despite striking out 5 and walking only 3. But the White Sox lineup, with C A.J. Pierzynski hitting from the DH position, went 2 for 5, and C Tyler Flowers went 3 for 3 with a home run. With the catching duo slugging -- and 3B Kevin Youkilis cracking another home run -- the White Sox were able put together a 7-run comeback and entered the 8th inning with a 7-6 lead.

But RP Matt Thornton (L, 4-8) and RP Brett Myers combined to allow a total of 3 ER in the final two frames, leading to a 9-7 final and a White Sox loss. The loss gives the Detroit Tigers a chance to come into a first place tie with the White Sox in the AL Central.

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

White Sox Players Kevin Youkilis, Francisco Liriano In 'Make Or Break Year'

2012-08-12T02:20:41Z

According to Mike Axisa of MLB Trade Rumors, the Chicago White Sox have a pair players on the brink of contractual collapse. The duo of 3B Kevin Youkilis and SP Francisco Liriano must perform well this season or else risk signing for below-market deals in the 2013 MLB offseason. And according to Axisa, injury problems for Youkilis may have already guaranteed the Sox will decline his option:

Kevin Youkilis, White Sox -- Youkilis lost his starting job with the Red Sox and was traded to the White Sox, who are likely to decline his $13MM option after the season. The 33-year-old has dealt with nagging injuries and is hitting .238/.339/.427 overall.

Liriano, meanwhile, has had an up and down season, sporting a 5.35 ERA and 4.02 FIP through 114 and 1/3 innings.

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

Athletics Vs. White Sox Lineups: A.J. Pierzynski Is The DH On Saturday

2012-08-11T20:07:35Z

The White Sox have had to do a little shuffling with Paul Konerko on the seven-day disabled list. On Saturday, Adam Dunn will start at first base for the third straight game, A.J. Pierzynski is the designated hitter and Tyler Flowers will handle the catching duties. The White Sox also called up outfielder Dewayne Wise.

Chicago:

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

Oakland:

1. Coco Crisp (S) CF
2. Jonny Gomes (R) DH
3. Josh Reddick (L) RF
4. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF
5. Chris Carter (R) 1B
6. Brandon Inge (R) 3B
7. Derek Norris (R) C
8. Adam Rosales (R) SS
9. Jemile Weeks (S) 2B

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

VIDEO: Jordan Danks' Walk-Off Home Run Wins Game For White Sox, Fries Hawk Harrelson's Brain

2012-08-11T16:50:24Z

Let me start this off by saying I love Hawk Harrelson. I love how he refuses to say a word when the White Sox disappoint him. I love how he berates any umpire that dares to make a faulty call against the Sox, but will never admit when the South Siders catch a break. His vast assortment of stupid catchphrases are ideal to repeat in various social situations. If I could have any guest on the SB Nation Chicago podcast, it would probably be him. Could you imagine all the Yaz stories? Man, the Yaz stories! It would be a real treat.

Hawk is funny about 99 percent of the time, but he is rarely funnier than he was last night when Jordan Danks hit a walk-off home run to give the White Sox a 4-3 victory in the series opener vs. the Oakland Athletics at U.S. Cellular Field. This just might be my favorite home run call ever. Hawk is so overrun by excitement that he starts exclaiming pure jibberish. It is mesmerizing. Check out the video, after the jump....

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What is that Hawk says as the ball sails over the fence and he starts to run out of gas? I've closely inspected this video numerous times, and here's my best guess at a transcription: "That ball hit high and deep. Way back.....raddyrapmoooo......You can put it on the booooard, yeaaas! YEEEAAAAAAS."

So good. Never change, Hawk. I genuinely hope he lives forever.