Cody Ross hits a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 Red Sox win over the White Sox. Jose Quintana came out of the shutout having thrown 103 pitches, showing the danger of changing pitchers. Boston picked up three hits in the inning, the final one an Oritz like blast into the Monster seats.
Clay Buchholz was in line to be the tough-luck loser as he allowed just one run in eight innings, walking one and striking out six. He’s given the Red Sox quality starts in five of his last seven games.
Ventura certainly did not look like manager of the year this series. Having Thornton pitch to the first 3 batters of the 9th instead of letting his closer start the inning clean was inexplicable, especially given thorntons performance the other night.
Pitch calling was also wacked. High and inside to Cody Ross at Fenway? Really AJ? Or is this poor advance scouting?
LH relievers gave up 8 runs in this series and basically gave away 2 games, helped by VenturAs slow hooks.
Having Dunn bat 3rd ahead of konerko against LHPers also made little sense.
Despite not pitching their top 3 starters in a 4 game series the White Sox came close to winning 3 of 4 which they could have done with better managing and a better pen.