5-20-08: Indians 1 - Sox 4

May 20, 2008 - Chicago, Illinois

Joe was forced to go.

The last time that Joe Crede was ejected from a game, C.C. Sabathia was on the mound against Jose Contreras. Talk about deja vu. Joe didn't like a call way inside on his first at-bat. He took it in stride, but by his second at-bat, he was called out on a pitch way outside. Joe threw the bat in disgust and started complaining. Crede was quickly ejected, but not before giving home plate umpire Wally Bell a piece of his mind.

Normally, I don't even question balls and strikes. The umpires discretion is the final word. As long as he keep the same strike zone for everyone, I don't have a problem with it. This, however, seemed blatant and singled out. No one else, on either team, had a strike zone like Joe Crede's. He had a right to complain.

Jim Thome and Carlos Quentin provided all the offense that the Sox would need against C.C. with a home run each. Jose Contreras pitched another solid game. He even was hit around the shin and stayed in the game, pitching effectively.

The good:
Home runs by Quentin and Thome.

A solid performance by Contreras.

The bad:
An error by Alexei Ramirez

Alexei Ramirez being hit in his bony back by a pitch. There's nothing to cushion the blow, so that had to hurt.

The ugly:
Joe Crede getting tossed for arguing balls and strikes.

Orlando Cabrera was 0 for 5.

The Sox are back to their winning ways. This time, they gave C.C. Sabathia his first loss at U.S. Cellular Field. Things are looking up for the Sox. This makes three home runs for Thome off of Sabathia this year. Not too shabby.