White Sox fans, REJOICE!
It feels so good to actually be able to post that and have a proper meaning behind it. Worry not, this isn't some kind of a joke article about how to pass the time during the long season.
This is an article about the White Sox dramatic victory in their home opener against the Kansas City Royals, squeaking out a win right at the end of the game, coming behind Jim Thome's three-run blast into center field.
Thome was 3-4 on the day with two singles and the three-run homer that got the Sox a victory to get the season rolling. Josh Fields also impressed in his first game starting at third base, going 2-3.
Carlos Quinten and Dewayne Wise suffered at the plate, each going 0-4, and picked up a combined four strikeouts.
Mark Buehrle didn't pitch his best game, but was still miles better than his performance on opening day in 2008. The southpaw only yielded two runs over the course of five innings, but his pitch location was slightly erratic and he walked three batters. He earned three strikeouts, but also hit two batters on the day.
Gil Meche out-dueled his counterpart, throwing seven innings and giving up just the one run, with no walks and six strikeouts. His control was spot on, and he pitched a great game, but the Royals offense just couldn't squeeze out enough runs.
Things got hairy for Meche in the second inning with three consecutive singles by Thome, Dye, and Konerko, but the Sox took a golden, bases loaded, no-out opportunity, and followed it with two pop outs.
Josh Fields managed a single, and the Sox scored their first run.
They went scoreless after that until the eighth inning, where Jim Thome brought the fireworks for the White Sox. After Fields put down a fantastic bunt and Chris Getz got himself aboard with a single, Thome blasted a ball into center field off of Farnsworth.
Bobby Jenks came on in the ninth inning for the Sox to close up the game, picking up his first save of the year, as if last season never ended. Dotel picked up the win for the Sox, and Farnsworth took the loss.
The Sox and Royals meet up again tomorrow at 7:11 p.m., where Gavin Floyd looks to start off the year on the right foot, and mimic his success from 2008. He'll be facing off against Zach Greinke.
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