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White Sox Wed Jul 29 2009
Buehrle Sets Consecutive Outs Record: Sox Fall To Twins 5-3
Many people were wondering just what would Mark Buehrle do after pitching a perfect game last Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Well, for starters he would continue where he left off by retiring the first 17 Twins hitters he faced. Buehrle retired 45 batters in a row, setting a new record for consecutive outs. The streak began back on July 18 against the Orioles. The old record of 41 was held by the San Francisco Giants Jim Barr (1972) and Sox closer Bobby Jenks (2007).
It was looking like Buehrle would pull off the unthinkable and pitch back to back perfect games. However, it was not to be. He lost the perfect game in the sixth after walking Alexi Casilla. That is where things began to unfold for Mr. Perfect.
He surrendered a single to the Twins Denard Span, losing the no-hitter in the process. Things would eventually snowball into a Joe Mauer RBI ground rule double. A ball that for all intents and purposes that should've been caught by Scott Podsednik.
Buehrle would surrender a few more runs before departing in the seventh. It appeared that the Sports Illustrated jinx couldn't touch Buehrle, but the Twins showed that he is human after all, touching him up for five earned runs. Despite the Sox being 1-5 on this road trip they are only two games behind first place Detroit, who has lost three in a row after beating the Sox three straight, however they are now in a second place tie with Minnesota.
If there is any conciliation on this dismal road trip it is that after tomorrow's game the Sox only have one more series inside the Metrodome, because after this season the Twins will be playing outdoors.
The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that now Josh Fields, who was replaced by rookie Gordon Beckham, is asking to be traded. This coming after the Sox traded Brian Anderson to the Red Sox for Mark Kotsay. Fields was sent down to Triple-A to make room for Kotsay. Sox GM Kenny Williams granted one request already; let's see if he does it again for Fields.
The Southsiders wrap up this trip tomorrow night as Jose Contreras (4-9) will look to rebound after several poor performances. He will take on the Twins Fransisco Liriano (4-10). Bartolo Colon was originally scheduled to start this game, but was scratched due to a sore right elbow. Game time is 7:10pm CT.
