One More For the Road

The Chicago White Sox, who have played some pretty crappy baseball as of late, will host the Detroit Tigers Monday afternoon with a makeup game for one last shot at tying the Minnesota Twins for the American League Central division title.

If the Sox manage to pull that one off, they'll play a Tuesday tie-breaker against the Twins, who swept them over the weekend to gain a half-game lead.

Blown Out of Proportion

Before Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, A.J. Pierzynsi an anonymous Chicago White Sox player placed two blowup dolls in the clubhouse, complete with players' bats fanned out around them, in an attempt to put a 180-spin on their horrible week.

It may have taken two whole days, but the Sox finally ended their winless streak Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, when Gavin Floyd pitched 9.1 innings of no-hit baseball.

GM Ken Williams had lunch with skipper Ozzie Guillen on Tuesday, saying he was disappointed by the obscene display, but was sure it wouldn’t happen again.

Killjoy.

[Chicago Sun-Times]

A.J. Most Likely the Jinxer

Chicago White Sox righty Gavin Floyd almost pitched a no-hitter for the second time in less than a month. This time, it came against the Minnesota Twins Tuesday night. Ozzie Guillen thinks this is [bleeping] horse[bleep].

No cigar, know what I mean?

But seriously, as a baseball fan -- and I'm being TOTALLY SERIOUS HERE -- no-no's are super exciting to watch. Too bad Joe Mauer had to spoil Floyd's evening with one down in the ninth.

[Baseball Musings]

Gavin Floyd: Almost Awesome

Chicago White Sox righty Gavin Floyd (2-0) was riding a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers Saturday afternoon, until being jinxed by some guy a few innings prior.

"Not until like maybe the fifth inning, I didn’t realize," Floyd said. "Some fan was like, 'Yeah, you got a no-hitter going.' And I was like, 'Oh, thanks."'

Yeah. Way to go, pal.

More importantly, the other end of the spectrum is rather disturbing. The Motor City Kittens were just about no-hit by the big bad South Siders. Shortstop Edgar Renteria singled with one out in the eighth to salvage what little dignity this team has left, but they were still dominated 7-0.

Orlando Cabrera, who hit his first homer of the season Saturday, was nailed in the left earflap by a Justin Verlander fastball in the eighth inning.

He actually stayed in the game to score a run -- tough -- and is going to be just fine after being examined by team doctors after the shutout.

To top things off, our friend Tuffy attended the almost no-no, soaked and dressed like an OCD boy scout.

[AP]

Michael Young Injury Update

Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young will be sidelined for another week after undergoing surgery to fix a gash in the cartilage of his left ear. Young was beaned in the left side of his helmet (on a changeup) by White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd on Tuesday.

Young's stitches will be taken out next Wednesday, so for the time-being doctors have warned him to stay inside to avoid the risk of infection. This means no baseball.

Young is going to be fine, but is unable to wear a helmet until it heals, mostly due to comfort. He hopes to report back to camp on Friday, where he will be able to play on the field, but avoid any BP.

Outfielder Nelson Cruz had to be scratched from the lineup as well, because of more dizzy spells from when he was smoked in the head by a Yovani Gallardo (MIL) fastball on Monday.