2-28-08: Sox 12 - Rockies 3

What a difference a day makes. The White Sox seemed to have turned around today after a loss yesterday to open up Spring Training. Less mistakes were made today and there was definitely more production out of most aspects of the lineup.

Jose Contreras picked up a victory in the 12 to 3 rout of the Rockies. Let's break it down into the good, the bad and the ugly. Cue whistling.

The good:
Alexei Ramirez went 4 for 5 with 1 RBI and 3 runs scored. This kid is on fire in his starting debut!

Brian Anderson continues to show that he wants a major league job, somewhere. He's matured a lot since his humbling injury last year.

Nick Swisher gets lucky with his glove and continues to swing a hot bat. He can only get better in center field.

Jose Contreras looked to be in mid 2005 condition as he went 3 scoreless innings.

The bad:
There was still a throwing error by catcher Paul Phillips. Brian Anderson was caught stealing.

The bullpen is still hit or miss. When it's on, it's lights out. When it's off, look out.

The ugly:
Joe Crede's average is 0.00. The worst of it is that he left 5 men on base. The team total today is 10 men left on base. Crede left half of those.

This is a much better game than yesterday's affair. The Sox seem more consistent and they look like they are starting to get in a groove. A few guys in the bullpen still need to work things out. Linebrink is one of those relievers. He gave up three hits and 1 run in 1 inning of work. The throwing error was by a rookie non-roster invitee, so it's not as bad as if someone who should make the team committed the error.

And look who closed out the game for the Rockies. My old pal Darren Clarke. He came in needing to get one out to end the game. He gave up two hits and struck out the final batter. Maybe all the White Sox need to do is keep a few of his Topps 52 cards on hand and ask for an autograph. That might keep his mind off the batters.